Harmony (musical)

Harmony is a stage musical with music by Barry Manilow and book and lyrics by Bruce Sussman. The musical tells the true story of the Comedian Harmonists, an ensemble of six young men in 1920s Germany who took the world by storm with their blend of sophisticated close harmonies and uproarious stage antics, until their inclusion of Jewish singers put them on a collision course with history.

The musical premiered at the Mandell Weiss Theatre in San Diego, California, in 1997. A planned Broadway production was slated for 2004, but due to lack of funds, it was ultimately canceled. The production opened in Atlanta in 2013, and Los Angeles in 2014, before an Off-Broadway production opened in April 2022. A Broadway transfer opened in November 2023 starring Chip Zien and Sierra Boggess. It closed on February 4, 2024.

San Diego (1997)
In February 1997, Harmony was announced to start previews on October 7, 1997, at the Mandell Weiss Theatre in San Diego, California. It was created by Barry Manilow, with book and lyrics by Bruce Sussman. It opened on October 19, 1997, and closed on November 30, 1997. The entire production received mixed reviews, and was three hours in length.

David Warren directed the production, with set design by Derek McLane, costume design by Mark Wendland, sound design by Steve Canyon Kennedy and lighting by Ken Posner. Danny Burstein originated the role of Rabbi. Other cast members include Mark Chmiel as Lesh, James Clow as Bobby, Steven Goldstein as Erich, Thom Christopher Warren as Harry, Patrick Wilson as Chopin, Rebecca Luker as Mary and Janet Mez as Ruth.

An out-of-town try-out in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was slated for opening on December 17, 2003, with previews on November 25, 2003. A Broadway run was also planned for 2004. Previews for the Philadelphia try-out was delayed to December 2, 2003, with opening on December 10, 2003 due to delivery issues. Both productions were canceled following an announcement on November 13, 2003, due to lack of funds.

Atlanta and Los Angeles (2013, 2014)
After winning back the rights to the musical in 2005, Manilow and Sussman chose to run the musical at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. It ran from September 6, 2013, and closed on October 6, 2013. It then ran at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California, from March 4, 2014, closing on April 13, 2014.

Off-Broadway (2022)
Harmony was planned to debut Off-Broadway at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City, New York, on February 9, 2020, closing on March 29, 2020. The opening was subsequently delayed to February 11, 2021 and then again delayed to 2022. Previews began on March 23, 2022, opening on April 13, 2022 and ran until May 8, 2022.

Warren Carlyle directed and choreographed the production, with scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Linda Cho, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier and lighting by Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer. Sara Edwards would also choreograph the Off-Broadway production. Danny Kornfield portrayed Rabbi, with Steve Telsey playing Lesh, Sean Bell as Bobby, Eric Peters as Erich, Zal Owen as Harry, Blake Roman as Chopin, Sierra Boggess as Mary, Jessie Davidson as Ruth and Chip Zien as Older Rabbi.

Broadway (2023-2024)
A Broadway production of Harmony opened in 2023. Previews began at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on October 18, 2023, with an opening night of November 13, 2023. Warren Carlyle again directed and choreographed the production. Kornfeld, Telsey, Bell, Peters, Owen, Roman, Boggess and Zien reprised their roles, while Julie Benko originated the role of Ruth on Broadway. An original cast album was released on August 31, 2023.

The production played its final performance on February 4, 2024. It was not able to recoup the $15 million for which it was capitalized.

Musical numbers
Act I


 * "Harmony" – Older Rabbi and Comedian Harmonists
 * "And What Do You See?" – Mary
 * "This Is Our Time" – Young Rabbi, Mary, Ruth, Harry, The Group, and Ralliers
 * "Your Son Is Becoming a Singer" – Erich and Comedian Harmonists
 * "Every Single Day" – Young Rabbi
 * "How Can I Serve You Madame?" – Lesh and Comedian Harmonists
 * "The Wedding" – Company
 * "Home" – Bobby, The Group, and Older Rabbi

Act II


 * "We're Goin' Loco!" – Josephine Baker, Comedian Harmonists and Company
 * "Hungarian Rhapsody #20" – Comedian Harmonists
 * "Come to the Fatherland!" – Harry and Comedian Harmonists
 * "Where You Go" – Mary and Ruth
 * "In This World" – Chopin, Comedian Harmonists, and The Film Cast
 * "Threnody" – Older Rabbi
 * "Stars in the Night" – Company