Stephen deRosa & Jada Temple Photo

From: Photo Coverage: 92nd Street Y Celebrates Irving Berlin!

92nd Street Y's 48th season of Lyrics & Lyricists continued this weekend with an essential American story, Irving Berlin: American, celebrating Berlin's extraordinary life and work. On the occasion of the centenary of the writing of "God Bless America" - our nation's "other anthem," - artistic director, co-writer and choreographer, Noah Racey (Lyrics & Lyricists veteran, Thoroughly Modern Millie), and co-writer Cheryl L. Davis (Barnstormer, Maid's Door, Bridges) explore how the five-year-old Russian immigrant who arrived at Ellis Island speaking no English came to create songs that epitomize American music, and how he became the spokesman in song for the country that allowed him to flourish.