Happy Birthday, Eric Bentley! | A Centennial Tribute Concert

happy birthday eric bentleyThis year, legendary playwright, singer, editor and translator and Theatre Hall of Fame inductee Eric Bentley turned 99 years old. In celebration of this milestone and a century of his contributions to the international theatre world, a special one night-only birthday celebration has been announced.
 
The evening will feature reminiscences, anecdotes and readings from Eric Bentley’s classic works by Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner; celebrated playwright/actor/director Austin PendletonBill Coco of The Actors Studio; Michael Paller of The American Conservatory Theater; Louise Kerz Hirschfeld, theatre historian and president emeritus of The Al Hirschfeld Foundation; and James ShapiroEdward Mendelson and Phillip Lopate of Columbia University.   
 
The evening’s musical program will feature a recital of Hanns Eisler songs in English versions by Eric Bentley and performed by celebrated soprano Karyn Levitt accompanied by Eric Ostling from their forthcoming CD, “Eric Bentley’s Brecht-Eisler Songbook,” available from Roven Records starting in January 2016.  The celebration will also feature Songs For Mother Courage by Darius Milhaud and Eric Bentley, performed by Karyn Levitt with the Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra conducted by Glen Roven.
 
Michael Riedel of The New York Post and the weekly TV chat program “Theatre Talk” will host the evening.
 
“Eric Bentley introduced me to the idea that the passion for theatre could actually involve thought,” says Austin Pendleton, “And that thought would not only not work against the passion but would actually deepen it. I think he introduced that idea to a lot of people. Or, if he didn’t introduce it to them, he made it richer and more exhilarating. He’s irreplaceable.”
 
“Happy Birthday, Eric Bentley! A Centennial Tribute Concert” is presented by Royal Road Productions.
 
Tickets will be available at The Town Hall Box Office starting November 16 (weekdays, noon-6PM). Tickets range from $50-$125. SPECIAL PREMIUM TICKET PACKAGES: Premium Gold tickets are $95 and include an advance copy of the forthcoming CD, “Eric Bentley’s Brecht-Eisler Songbook” signed by Eric Bentley and Karyn Levitt. Premium Platinum  tickets are $125 and include an autographed CD plus an autographed copy of one of Bentley’s classic critical works.










When: Mon., Dec. 7, 2015 at 8:00 pm
Where: The Town Hall
123 W. 43rd St.
212-997-1003
Price: $50-$125
Buy tickets/get more info now
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happy birthday eric bentleyThis year, legendary playwright, singer, editor and translator and Theatre Hall of Fame inductee Eric Bentley turned 99 years old. In celebration of this milestone and a century of his contributions to the international theatre world, a special one night-only birthday celebration has been announced.
 
The evening will feature reminiscences, anecdotes and readings from Eric Bentley’s classic works by Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner; celebrated playwright/actor/director Austin PendletonBill Coco of The Actors Studio; Michael Paller of The American Conservatory Theater; Louise Kerz Hirschfeld, theatre historian and president emeritus of The Al Hirschfeld Foundation; and James ShapiroEdward Mendelson and Phillip Lopate of Columbia University.   
 
The evening’s musical program will feature a recital of Hanns Eisler songs in English versions by Eric Bentley and performed by celebrated soprano Karyn Levitt accompanied by Eric Ostling from their forthcoming CD, “Eric Bentley’s Brecht-Eisler Songbook,” available from Roven Records starting in January 2016.  The celebration will also feature Songs For Mother Courage by Darius Milhaud and Eric Bentley, performed by Karyn Levitt with the Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra conducted by Glen Roven.
 
Michael Riedel of The New York Post and the weekly TV chat program “Theatre Talk” will host the evening.
 
“Eric Bentley introduced me to the idea that the passion for theatre could actually involve thought,” says Austin Pendleton, “And that thought would not only not work against the passion but would actually deepen it. I think he introduced that idea to a lot of people. Or, if he didn’t introduce it to them, he made it richer and more exhilarating. He’s irreplaceable.”
 
“Happy Birthday, Eric Bentley! A Centennial Tribute Concert” is presented by Royal Road Productions.
 
Tickets will be available at The Town Hall Box Office starting November 16 (weekdays, noon-6PM). Tickets range from $50-$125. SPECIAL PREMIUM TICKET PACKAGES: Premium Gold tickets are $95 and include an advance copy of the forthcoming CD, “Eric Bentley’s Brecht-Eisler Songbook” signed by Eric Bentley and Karyn Levitt. Premium Platinum  tickets are $125 and include an autographed CD plus an autographed copy of one of Bentley’s classic critical works.
Buy tickets/get more info now