A busy composer in both Hollywood and Broadway, Burton Lane stands securely in any American songbook Hall of Fame. Lane's melodies were celebrated at the 92nd Street Y's "Lyrics and Lyricists" series by five excellent singers: Liz Callaway, James Clow, Joshua Henry¸ Michele Ragusa, Heidi Blickenstaff with a master quintet behind them.
Lane, who died in 1997 at age 84, wrote some classic movie tunes, such as "Everything I Have is Yours" in 1933 for "Dancing Lady." Convincingly, Michele Ragusa infuses the song with the unusual intent of self-sacrifice.
A year later, Lane heard 11-year-old Frances Gumm singing with her sisters at a Hollywood theater. He called MGM's head of the music department, and the next day he brought Frances to audition for the executives. Lane accompanied her on piano, and by the end of that day, a career was launched -- but it was not Burton Lane's. Gumm was signed by MGM and became Judy Garland. It was years later that Burton Lane wrote "How About You" for Garland to sing with Mickey Rooney in "Babes on Broadway," earning Lane his first Oscar nomination and performed here by Heidi Blickenstaff and Joshua Henry.
A catchy novelty tune, "How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Love You When You Know I've Been a Liar All My Life?" from "Royal Wedding," is comically delivered by Blickenstaff and James Clow. Liz Callaway sings that film's "Too Late Now," which earned Lane his second Oscar nomination. As Callaway repeats the chorus, the other performers emerg one by one to join her for a mystical, harmonic ending to Act I. It is the emotional highlight of the show.
Callaway opens Act II with the exquisite, "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)." Also from that show, Blickenstaff performs a wistful, "What Did I Have I Don't Have?", and Joshua Henry works the stage with the urgent energy of "Come Back to Me." In the original production, that song was performed by John Cullum, who appears here as a special guest to sing "Melinda." He later leads the cast in "One More Walk Around the Garden" from Carmelita, a nostalgic ending to this beautifully arranged program.
Lane wrote Finian's Rainbow with E.Y. Harburg, giving Callaway another moment to shine with "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?" That show also provides Blickenstaff with a touching rendition of "Look To the Rainbow."
The acclaimed series, 92nd Street Y's "Lyrics and Lyricists," was launched in 1970 by Maurice Levine. This month's artistic and musical director, writer and host was David Loud (The Scottsboro Boys, Sondheim on Sondheim), whose wry deadpan asides are entertaining as well as informative. The band featured Andy Einhorn on piano, Sarah Seiver on cello, Steve Kenyon on woodwinds, Bill Ellison on bass and Bruce Doctor on drums and percussion.
Burton Lane
