On January 10th, ASCAP hosted a musical celebration of the life and career of legendary Broadway composer and ASCAP Board member Cy Coleman at the Majestic Theater in New York City. The tribute, which was free and open to the public, featured some of the top performers from the Broadway musical community, as well as friends, colleagues and collaborators who shared stories of their relationship with Coleman.

Among the speakers and performers were Chita Rivera, Jim Dale, Brian Stokes Mitchell, James Naughton, Bea Arthur, Michele Lee, Ann Reinking, Lucie Arnaz, John Schneider, Lillias White, Donna McKechnie, Judy Kaye, Gregg Edelman, Chuck Cooper, Katharine Luckinbill, A.E. Hotchner, Neil Simon, Wendy Wasserstein, Alan & Marilyn Bergman, David Zippel, and the words of Larry Gelbart.

Musical Directors for the event were Lee Musiker and Christopher Marlow with Gary Haas (Bass) and Buddy Williams (Drums). Technical Supervisor was Matt Berman.

With 11 Broadway scores to his credit over 45 years, Coleman was one of the industry's most diverse and accomplished composers. He garnered 12 Tony nominations, winning Best Score for 1978's On the 20th Century and back-to-back Tony awards for City of Angels and The Will Rogers Follies in 1990 and 1991. Among his other Broadway hits: Wildcat, Little Me, Sweet Charity, I Love My Wife, Seesaw, Barnum and The Life. Coleman had premiered two new works within the last year - In the Pocket (scheduled to open on Broadway in 2006) and The Great Ostrovsky at the Prince Music Theatre in Philadelphia. At the time of his death he had been at work on a new Broadway production of Sweet Charity starring Christina Applegate, which will open at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on April 21st.

A member of ASCAP since 1953, Coleman also served on its Board of Directors for 38 years and was the board's Vice Chairman Writer when he died.

Chita Rivera and Ann Reinking lead a chorus line in a performance of "Big Spender". The original "Big Spender" choreography by Bob Fosse was recreated by Lainie Sakakura.

Bea Arthur performing "It Amazes Me" Michele Lee performing the finale from See Saw

ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman reading the words of Larry Gelbart, who worked with Coleman on City of Angels	Neil Simon, who wrote the "book" for Sweet Charity	A.E. Hotchner, a Coleman collaborator
Alan Bergman performing special lyrics written with Marilyn Bergman to "Real Live Girl" and "Witchcraft"	Brian Stokes Mitchell singing "The Best is Yet to Come"	John Schneider performing "Give A Man Enough Rope"
Chita Rivera performing "Where Am I Going?"	James Naughton and Gregg Edelman singing "You're Nothing Without Me"	David Zippel, who collaborated with Cy on City of Angels
Lillias White singing "The Oldest Profession" (and earning a standing ovation)	Donna McKechnie performing "If My Friends Could See Me Now"	Judy Kaye performing "Never"
Jim Dale singing "There's a Sucker Born Every Minute" and "The Colors of My Life"	Chuck Cooper performing "You There in the Back Row"	Hal Linden and Shelby Coleman at the after-party
Kathy Lee Gifford at the after-party	Wendy Wasserstein being interviewed at the after-party	Lucie Arnaz (right) with daughter Katharine Luckinbill at the after-party. For the tribute, the two performed "Hey, Look Me Over," a song introduced by Arnaz's mother, Lucille Ball

Personal Remembrances

Playback : Fall 2004
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