AMP Concert Series Includes Rossellini as Lotte Lenya

The American Musicals Project has announced its AMP Concert Series 2007, "The Art of the Musical," which will include a performance by Isabella Rossellini as legendary German actress and singer Lotte Lenya.

Performances will take place at New-York Historical Society (170 Central Park West at 77th Street).

"Every year the American Musicals Project celebrates great composing artists of the musical theater in a series of live concerts at the New-York Historical Society, hosted by theater luminaries and sung by Broadway performers. This year the American Musicals Project gives voice to four of the 20th century's greatest artists," state press materials. 

Rossellini (Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart) will star in "Kurt and Lenya in Their Own Words" on February 5, 2007, 7 p.m.  "From 1924 to 1950, letters flowed between brilliant émigrés, Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya. Scott Alan Evans directs Isabella Rossellini as Lotte Lenya and a cast of singers in excerpts from their intimate writings, along with songs from Weill's Knickerbocker Holiday, Lady in the Dark, One Touch of Venus, Love Life, and Lost in the Stars."

Phyllis Newman will host "The Brilliance of Bernstein" on February 12, 2007, 7 p.m. "Through interviews, live performances, and excerpts from Leonard Bernstein's captivating television appearances, a cast of Broadway actors and singers takes us through Bernstein's astonishing work. Hear great songs from On the Town, Peter Pan, Wonderful Town, Candide, West Side Story and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."  The show will be helmed by Broadway actor/director Jenn Thompson.

Howard Kissel will host "New York and Paris with Vernon Duke" on February 26, 2007, 7 p.m. "Howard Kissel, cultural critic of the Daily News, hails Vernon Duke, the creator of 'April in Paris' and 'Autumn in New York,' as his favorite composer. Duke collaborated with Ira Gershwin on 'I Can't Get Started with You' and gave New York, Hollywood and Ethel Waters in Cabin in the Sky, among many other treats."Pam Hunt, who staged The Musical of Musicals, will direct.

The AMP Gala "George Gershwin's Song-book" will be presented on March 5, 2007.  "In 1932 George Gershwin handed Simon and Schuster his own piano accompaniments and virtuoso piano arrangements for 18 of his favorite songs. Long unavailable, you can hear them all sung and played, as George himself performed them, at the 2007 AMP gala. A Broadway cast is headed by Victoria Clark …along with piano soloist Linda Hall, assistant conductor of the Metropolitan Opera. Series Producing Director Scott Alan Evans directs. There will als be a champagne reception."  There will be a "'S Wonderful!" Benefit reception is 6:30, with the concert starting at 7:30.

All cast information is subject to availability.

For tickets call: 212•873•3400 x 305.  Ticket prices for February 5, 12 and 26 range $30 - $45.  Benefit Tickets Range from $75 to $500.

Visit www.americanmusicalsproject.org for more information.

Photo - Isabella Rossellini