Grandson Tells Family History of Hammerstein II at Berman Center

Theater fans filled to learn about the history of the prolific and popular lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II on Tuesday. The songwriter's grandson, author, artist, and Columbia University professor Oscar Andrew Hammerstein, spoke before a crowd of more than 500 about his recently published book, “The Hammersteins: A Musical Theatre Family,” as part of the week-long .

Using facts and photos from his book, Hammerstein described the role his family played in shaping theater history dating back to the Civil War, when German-Jewish immigrant Oscar Hammerstein I came to New York with the dream of becoming an opera producer. Although that initial endeavor was unsuccessful, Hammerstein I went on to build several theaters which spawned several early vaudeville performers, such as Charlie Chaplin and W.C. Fields.

Hammerstein illustrated his talk with dozens of vintage photographs which included family members and depictions of the early development of the New York theater district, where his ancestors built several theaters and opera houses.

According to Hammerstein, his grandfather experienced more than a decade of failure before going on to write the popular songs for such classic shows as The Sound of Music, The King and I, and Carousel. Hammerstein said that his grandfather wrote more than 43 “flops” before his career took flight in 1943, with the production of Oklahoma! Hammerstein said it was the musicals themselves that made his grandfather’s songs so memorable.

“The songs last because you remember the show,” he said. “A song is like a window to a house.”

The program was presented by the Henry & Delia Meyers Library and Media Center and sponsored by the library’s Special Speakers Fund, which was underwritten by Delia Jampel and John Frank. Co-sponsors were the , the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan, and the JCC Annual Jewish Book Fair.

After the presentation, audience members lined up to purchase copies of the book and have them signed by the author.

“I’ve never been to this venue before – it’s really quite awesome,” said Gloria Feinberg of Farmington Hills, who attended the presentation with her husband, Harvey. “We have tickets to a Rodgers and Hammerstein concert at the DSO, and it’s nice to get a little insight.”

Hammerstein said it took him more than 20 years to collect the vintage photographs used in his presentation and in the book. Some were provided by family members; others were purchased from collectors through eBay and other venues.

“I grew up with his plays; I’ve seen most of them,” said Larry Maloff of Oak Park.

Heidi Budaj, Director of Arts, Culture, and Education for the (JCC), said that the festival has been an “enormous success” so far, with the Hammerstein program drawing an almost capacity crowd. Budaj said she is looking forward to the rest of the week, especially the two biblical comedies by writer/actor Marcus Freed on Saturday and Sunday evenings, September 24 and 25.

“The shows are absolutely hilarious and not to be missed,” she said.

The Stephen Gottlieb Festival of the Arts runs through Sunday, September 25, with events at the JCC campuses in West Bloomfield and Oak Park. For more information or to obtain a complete schedule, visit jccdet.org or call (248) 661-1000.