Goodspeed's RAZZLE DAZZLE Gala to Honor Sheldon Harnick, Today

Goodspeed Musicals is delighted to announce that Tony, Grammy and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick will be the latest recipient of The Goodspeed Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre. Over the years Mr. Harnick's work has been represented on the Goodspeed stage with Fiorello! (1985), She Loves Me (1978), The Apple Tree (1999), and this summer's 50th Anniversary production of Fiddler on the Roof at the Goodspeed Opera House. The award will be presented by longtime friend and star of stage and screen, two time Tony Award-winner Tony Roberts (Broadway's Promises, Promises; They're Playing Our Song; Victor/Victoria; Cabaret).

Mr. Harnick will be honored on June 14, 2014 as Broadway luminaries and arts sustainers gather for Razzle Dazzle, Goodspeed's gala event to support its diverse education programs. This much anticipated annual event has been re-imagined in a way that will not only wow the 2014 attendees but will emerge as the place to be each summer for years to come. "This year we decided to formally name our annual event, honoring musical theatre's brightest stars, Razzle Dazzle." said Michael Price, Goodspeed's Executive Director. "We think it best describes the flair and magic all Goodspeed productions possess, including this spectacular night celebrating the best in arts nationwide"

"Who wouldn't enjoy a sparkling evening filled with laughter on the beach, great cuisine and all of our Goodpseed friends - old and new? It's our first Razzle Dazzle and it will be an event to remember!" said Marcia Kalayjian, event Chair. This one-of-a-kind event, celebrating the best in musical theatre, will include cocktails, dinner and special entertainment at the historic Madison Beach Club located on Island Avenue in Madison, Conn.

This year's honoree, Sheldon Harnick, is a two-time Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway lyricist for such beloved musicals as Fiorello!, Tenderloin, She Loves Me, Fiddler on The Roof, The Apple Tree, The Rothschilds and A Wonderful Life, among others. Besides his Tony Awards and Pulitzer Prize, he has won two Grammy Awards, two New York Drama Critics Awards, three gold records and a platinum record.

Previous honorees include Julie Andrews, Martin Charnin, Kristin Chenoweth, Ira Gershwin, Jerry Herman, William Ivey Long, Thomas Meehan, Michael P. Price, Gerald Schoenfeld, Stephen Schwartz, Susan Stroman, Charles Strouse, Tommy Tune and Paul Williams.

For tickets or to reserve a spot in the Razzle Dazzle Commemorative Journal, contact Mary Miko at 860-873-8664 ext. 368 or mmiko@goodspeed.org.

ABOUT SHELDON HARNICK: Sheldon Harnick is a two-time Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway lyricist for such beloved musicals as Fiorello!, Tenderloin, She Loves Me, Fiddler on The Roof, The Apple Tree, The Rothschilds and A Wonderful Life, among others.

Besides his Tony Awards and Pulitzer Prize, he has won two Grammy Awards, two New York Drama Critics Awards, three gold records and a platinum record.

Recent projects include, The Outdoor Museum: (not your usual images of New York), a book of photographs and verse, which includes more than 100 stunning images by Sheldon's wife, photographer and painter, Margery Gray Harnick with 11 sage and witty poems written by Sheldon.

In addition, a 2 disc set was just released in conjunction with Sheldon's 90th Birthday, titled "Sheldon Harnick: Hidden Treasures, 1949-2013," which includes rare demos and cut songs from all of Sheldon's shows.

Performances on the album include Sheldon and Jerry Bock and archival recordings by Audra McDonald, Brian d'Arcy James, Hugh Martin, Margery Gray, Charlotte Rae and many more.

Mr. Harnick resides in New York and East Hampton with his wife. Their children Beth and Matthew live, respectively, in Malibu and East Hampton.

Photo Credit: Margery Harnick