Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway's Harmony
by Harmony"Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway's Harmony" is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News. Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists: www.thecomedianharmonists.com Learn More About Harmony A New Musical: www.harmonyanewmusical.com
Copyright: Harmony
Episodes
Creating "Harmony" from History, Part 2
21m · Published“Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony” is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News.
Songs In This Episode (from Harmony):
- "Overture"
- “Stars In The Night”
Guests In This Episode (in order of appearance):
- Warren Carlyle
- Beowulf Boritt
- Peggy Eisenhauer
- Dan Moses Schreier
- Linda Cho
- Ricky Lurie
Mentioned In This Episode:
- Watch Broadway'sHarmonyperform "Rhapsody #20"
- Watch the entire titular song "Harmony"
- Watch the Comedian Harmonists perform together
Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists:www.thecomedianharmonists.com
Learn More About Harmony A New Musical:www.harmonyanewmusical.com
In 1927, a young man in Germany placed an ad in the local paper:
“Attention. Rare opportunity. Tenor, Bass (professional singer not over 25), musically talented, nice-sounding voices, for unique ensemble. Kindly give days and times when available [for rehearsals, etc.]”
Out of that two-line ad, came one of the most celebrated music acts of the 20th century: the Comedian Harmonists. The internationally renowned vocal group made over 200 recordings, performed in over 150 concerts around the world and appeared in numerous films. They played the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Coliseum and Radio City Music Hall. And yet, for most, the name “Comedian Harmonists” doesn’t ring a bell. How could that be?
Well, the Comedian Harmonists rose to fame in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Germany — and half of its members were Jewish. Because of this, the Nazi regime designated the work of the Comedian Harmonists “degenerate art” and much of it was destroyed. Lost to history.
But…not all of it.
The little that there was inspired writer Bruce Sussman to dig into the story of the Comedian Harmonists and, with his artistic partner Barry Manilow, create a musical uncovering their music, artistry and stories for the world to know and remember. “Harmony” officially opened on Broadway November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater .
And yet, there is only so much history one can fit into a Broadway musical. As Bruce said…
“I just needed to simplify, pair it down.” “There were so many things that I could have done, but I had to make choices. As Sondheim famously wrote, the choice may be wrong, but the choosing is right.”
Harmony closed on February 4, 2024 but the lost history it resurrected is worth a closer look. In this podcast, “Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony”, we’re digging deeper into the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. I’m your host, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Over the course of this series, we’ll dive into the full history of the Comedian Harmonists — it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll learn the details about each of the six famous singers — where they grew up, their musical specialty, their personal lives and what happened after their time with the group. Plus, you’ll hear from creatives and cast members about using this history to create “Harmony” onstage.
Join us. There’s a lot to uncover.
Host: Ruthie Fierberg
Editor: Daniel Pineiro
Producers: Harmony A New Musical, Broadway News
Creating "Harmony" from History, Part 1
38m · Published“Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony” is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News.
Songs In This Episode (from Harmony):
- "Overture"
- “Stars In The Night”
- "Threnody"
- "Harmony"
Guests In This Episode (in order of appearance):
- Bruce Sussman
- Jan Grübler
- Eric Peters
- Chip Zien
- Danny Kornfeld
- Sean Bell
Mentioned In This Episode:
- Watch Chip Zien perform "Threnody" inHarmony
- Watch the opening scene inHarmonyas described in this episode
- Watch Broadway'sHarmonyperform "Rhapsody #20"
- Watch the real Josef Roman Cycowski in an interview
- Watch the entire titular song "Harmony"
- Watch the Comedian Harmonists perform together
Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists:www.thecomedianharmonists.com
Learn More About Harmony A New Musical:www.harmonyanewmusical.com
In 1927, a young man in Germany placed an ad in the local paper:
“Attention. Rare opportunity. Tenor, Bass (professional singer not over 25), musically talented, nice-sounding voices, for unique ensemble. Kindly give days and times when available [for rehearsals, etc.]”
Out of that two-line ad, came one of the most celebrated music acts of the 20th century: the Comedian Harmonists. The internationally renowned vocal group made over 200 recordings, performed in over 150 concerts around the world and appeared in numerous films. They played the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Coliseum and Radio City Music Hall. And yet, for most, the name “Comedian Harmonists” doesn’t ring a bell. How could that be?
Well, the Comedian Harmonists rose to fame in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Germany — and half of its members were Jewish. Because of this, the Nazi regime designated the work of the Comedian Harmonists “degenerate art” and much of it was destroyed. Lost to history.
But…not all of it.
The little that there was inspired writer Bruce Sussman to dig into the story of the Comedian Harmonists and, with his artistic partner Barry Manilow, create a musical uncovering their music, artistry and stories for the world to know and remember. “Harmony” officially opened on Broadway November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater .
And yet, there is only so much history one can fit into a Broadway musical. As Bruce said…
“I just needed to simplify, pair it down.” “There were so many things that I could have done, but I had to make choices. As Sondheim famously wrote, the choice may be wrong, but the choosing is right.”
Harmony closed on February 4, 2024 but the lost history it resurrected is worth a closer look. In this podcast, “Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony”, we’re digging deeper into the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. I’m your host, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Over the course of this series, we’ll dive into the full history of the Comedian Harmonists — it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll learn the details about each of the six famous singers — where they grew up, their musical specialty, their personal lives and what happened after their time with the group. Plus, you’ll hear from creatives and cast members about using this history to create “Harmony” onstage.
Join us. There’s a lot to uncover.
Host: Ruthie Fierberg
Editor: Daniel Pineiro
Producers: Harmony A New Musical, Broadway News
The Celebrities In Their Circle
12m · Published“Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony” is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News.
Songs In This Episode (from Harmony):
- “Stars In The Night”
- "We're Goin' Loco"
Guests In This Episode (in order of appearance):
- Jan Grübler
- Chip Zien (Voice of "Albert Einstein")
- Allison Semmes, "Josephine Baker"
Mentioned In This Episode:
- Listen to "Sous le ciel d'Afrique"
- Listen to “Espabilate”
- Watch the Comedian Harmonists perform together
Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists:www.thecomedianharmonists.com
Learn More About Harmony A New Musical:www.harmonyanewmusical.com
In 1927, a young man in Germany placed an ad in the local paper:
“Attention. Rare opportunity. Tenor, Bass (professional singer not over 25), musically talented, nice-sounding voices, for unique ensemble. Kindly give days and times when available [for rehearsals, etc.]”
Out of that two-line ad, came one of the most celebrated music acts of the 20th century: the Comedian Harmonists. The internationally renowned vocal group made over 200 recordings, performed in over 150 concerts around the world and appeared in numerous films. They played the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Coliseum and Radio City Music Hall. And yet, for most, the name “Comedian Harmonists” doesn’t ring a bell. How could that be?
Well, the Comedian Harmonists rose to fame in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Germany — and half of its members were Jewish. Because of this, the Nazi regime designated the work of the Comedian Harmonists “degenerate art” and much of it was destroyed. Lost to history.
But…not all of it.
The little that there was inspired writer Bruce Sussman to dig into the story of the Comedian Harmonists and, with his artistic partner Barry Manilow, create a musical uncovering their music, artistry and stories for the world to know and remember. “Harmony” officially opened on Broadway November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater .
And yet, there is only so much history one can fit into a Broadway musical. As Bruce said…
“I just needed to simplify, pair it down.” “There were so many things that I could have done, but I had to make choices. As Sondheim famously wrote, the choice may be wrong, but the choosing is right.”
Harmony closed on February 4, 2024 but the lost history it resurrected is worth a closer look. In this podcast, “Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony”, we’re digging deeper into the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. I’m your host, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Over the course of this series, we’ll dive into the full history of the Comedian Harmonists — it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll learn the details about each of the six famous singers — where they grew up, their musical specialty, their personal lives and what happened after their time with the group. Plus, you’ll hear from creatives and cast members about using this history to create “Harmony” onstage.
Join us. There’s a lot to uncover.
Host: Ruthie Fierberg
Editor: Daniel Pineiro
Producers: Harmony A New Musical, Broadway News
The Women Beside The Men
1h 14m · Published“Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony” is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News.
Table of Contents:
- 2:16 - Erna/Marion Kiss
- 8:59 - Olga Bertha Wolff
- 14:45 - Fernande, Suzanne, and Anna Marie Collin
- 37:50 - Mary Magedalena Panzram
- 48:15 - Hilde Longino
- 48:50 - Ella
- 49:22 - Delphine David
- 51:08 - Saschka Andrejeva Siderova
- 52:00 - Ursula Elkan
- 1:01:42 - Ruth Sametzki
- 1:02:19 - Helga Gade
- 1:03:43 - "Ruth" in Harmony
Songs In This Episode (from Harmony):
- “Stars In The Night”
- "Overture"
- "And What Do You See"
- "Every Single Day"
- "Where You Go"
Guests In This Episode (in order of appearance):
- Bruce Sussman
- Jan Grübler
- Zal Owen
- Marc Alexander, Erich's grandchild
- Deborah Tint, Erich's grandchild
- Sierra Boggess
- Beryn Hammil, Ursula's daughter
- Julie Benko
Mentioned In This Episode:
- Listen to Episode 2 featuring Harry Frommermann
- Listen to Episode 3 featuring Erich Collin
- Listen to Episode 4 featuring Josef Roman Cycowski
- Watch Mary and Josef Roman Cycowski Playing Cards
- Listen to Episode 5 featuring Robert Biberti
- Listen to Episode 6 featuring Ari Leschnikoff
- Listen to Episode 7 featuring Erwin Bootz
- Watch the Comedian Harmonists perform together
Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists:www.thecomedianharmonists.com
Learn More About Harmony A New Musical:www.harmonyanewmusical.com
In 1927, a young man in Germany placed an ad in the local paper:
“Attention. Rare opportunity. Tenor, Bass (professional singer not over 25), musically talented, nice-sounding voices, for unique ensemble. Kindly give days and times when available [for rehearsals, etc.]”
Out of that two-line ad, came one of the most celebrated music acts of the 20th century: the Comedian Harmonists. The internationally renowned vocal group made over 200 recordings, performed in over 150 concerts around the world and appeared in numerous films. They played the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Coliseum and Radio City Music Hall. And yet, for most, the name “Comedian Harmonists” doesn’t ring a bell. How could that be?
Well, the Comedian Harmonists rose to fame in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Germany — and half of its members were Jewish. Because of this, the Nazi regime designated the work of the Comedian Harmonists “degenerate art” and much of it was destroyed. Lost to history.
But…not all of it.
The little that there was inspired writer Bruce Sussman to dig into the story of the Comedian Harmonists and, with his artistic partner Barry Manilow, create a musical uncovering their music, artistry and stories for the world to know and remember. “Harmony” officially opened on Broadway November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater .
And yet, there is only so much history one can fit into a Broadway musical. As Bruce said…
“I just needed to simplify, pair it down.” “There were so many things that I could have done, but I had to make choices. As Sondheim famously wrote, the choice may be wrong, but the choosing is right.”
Harmony closed on February 4, 2024 but the lost history it resurrected is worth a closer look. In this podcast, “Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony”, we’re digging deeper into the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. I’m your host, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Over the course of this series, we’ll dive into the full history of the Comedian Harmonists — it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll learn the details about each of the six famous singers — where they grew up, their musical specialty, their personal lives and what happened after their time with the group. Plus, you’ll hear from creatives and cast members about using this history to create “Harmony” onstage.
Join us. There’s a lot to uncover.
Host: Ruthie Fierberg
Editor: Daniel Pineiro
Producers: Harmony A New Musical, Broadway News
Erwin Bootz, the virtuoso
46m · Published“Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony” is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News.
Songs In This Episode:
- “Stars In The Night” from Harmony: A New Musical
- "In This World" from Harmony: A New Musical
Guests In This Episode (in order of appearance):
- Blake Roman, "Chopin" in Harmony
- Jan Grübler, Historian
- Bruce Sussman, Co-Writer of Harmony
- Beryn Hammil, Ursula's daughter from second marriage
Mentioned In This Episode:
- "Ich hab' für dich 'nen Blumentopf bestellt"
- "My Little Green Cactus"
- Watch the Comedian Harmonists perform together
Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists:www.thecomedianharmonists.com
Learn More About Harmony A New Musical:www.harmonyanewmusical.com
In 1927, a young man in Germany placed an ad in the local paper:
“Attention. Rare opportunity. Tenor, Bass (professional singer not over 25), musically talented, nice-sounding voices, for unique ensemble. Kindly give days and times when available [for rehearsals, etc.]”
Out of that two-line ad, came one of the most celebrated music acts of the 20th century: the Comedian Harmonists. The internationally renowned vocal group made over 200 recordings, performed in over 150 concerts around the world and appeared in numerous films. They played the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Coliseum and Radio City Music Hall. And yet, for most, the name “Comedian Harmonists” doesn’t ring a bell. How could that be?
Well, the Comedian Harmonists rose to fame in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Germany — and half of its members were Jewish. Because of this, the Nazi regime designated the work of the Comedian Harmonists “degenerate art” and much of it was destroyed. Lost to history.
But…not all of it.
The little that there was inspired writer Bruce Sussman to dig into the story of the Comedian Harmonists and, with his artistic partner Barry Manilow, create a musical uncovering their music, artistry and stories for the world to know and remember. “Harmony” officially opened on Broadway November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater .
And yet, there is only so much history one can fit into a Broadway musical. As Bruce said…
“I just needed to simplify, pair it down.” “There were so many things that I could have done, but I had to make choices. As Sondheim famously wrote, the choice may be wrong, but the choosing is right.”
Harmony closed on February 4, 2024 but the lost history it resurrected is worth a closer look. In this podcast, “Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony”, we’re digging deeper into the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. I’m your host, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Over the course of this series, we’ll dive into the full history of the Comedian Harmonists — it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll learn the details about each of the six famous singers — where they grew up, their musical specialty, their personal lives and what happened after their time with the group. Plus, you’ll hear from creatives and cast members about using this history to create “Harmony” onstage.
Join us. There’s a lot to uncover.
Host: Ruthie Fierberg
Editor: Daniel Pineiro
Producers: Harmony A New Musical, Broadway News
Ari Leschnikoff, the nightingale
33m · Published“Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony” is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News.
Songs In This Episode:
- “Stars In The Night” from Harmony: A New Musical
- "How Can I Serve You, Madam?" from Harmony: A New Musical
Guests In This Episode (in order of appearance):
- Steven Telsey, "Lesh" in Harmony
- Jan Grübler, Historian
- Bruce Sussman, Co-Writer of Harmony
Mentioned In This Episode:
- Watch Ari Leschnikoff sing "Ich liebe die frauen"
- Listen to Ari Leschnikoff sing "O Sole Mio"
- Watch the Comedian Harmonists perform together
Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists:www.thecomedianharmonists.com
Learn More About Harmony A New Musical:www.harmonyanewmusical.com
In 1927, a young man in Germany placed an ad in the local paper:
“Attention. Rare opportunity. Tenor, Bass (professional singer not over 25), musically talented, nice-sounding voices, for unique ensemble. Kindly give days and times when available [for rehearsals, etc.]”
Out of that two-line ad, came one of the most celebrated music acts of the 20th century: the Comedian Harmonists. The internationally renowned vocal group made over 200 recordings, performed in over 150 concerts around the world and appeared in numerous films. They played the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Coliseum and Radio City Music Hall. And yet, for most, the name “Comedian Harmonists” doesn’t ring a bell. How could that be?
Well, the Comedian Harmonists rose to fame in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Germany — and half of its members were Jewish. Because of this, the Nazi regime designated the work of the Comedian Harmonists “degenerate art” and much of it was destroyed. Lost to history.
But…not all of it.
The little that there was inspired writer Bruce Sussman to dig into the story of the Comedian Harmonists and, with his artistic partner Barry Manilow, create a musical uncovering their music, artistry and stories for the world to know and remember. “Harmony” officially opened on Broadway November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater .
And yet, there is only so much history one can fit into a Broadway musical. As Bruce said…
“I just needed to simplify, pair it down.” “There were so many things that I could have done, but I had to make choices. As Sondheim famously wrote, the choice may be wrong, but the choosing is right.”
Harmony closed on February 4, 2024 but the lost history it resurrected is worth a closer look. In this podcast, “Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony”, we’re digging deeper into the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. I’m your host, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Over the course of this series, we’ll dive into the full history of the Comedian Harmonists — it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll learn the details about each of the six famous singers — where they grew up, their musical specialty, their personal lives and what happened after their time with the group. Plus, you’ll hear from creatives and cast members about using this history to create “Harmony” onstage.
Join us. There’s a lot to uncover.
Host: Ruthie Fierberg
Editor: Daniel Pineiro
Producers: Harmony A New Musical, Broadway News
Robert Biberti, the manager
47m · Published“Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony” is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News.
Songs In This Episode:
- “Stars In The Night” from Harmony: A New Musical
- "Hungarian Rhapsody #20" from Harmony: A New Musical
- "Home" from Harmony: A New Musical
Guests In This Episode (in order of appearance):
- Bruce Sussman, Harmony co-writer
- Jan Grübler, Historian
- Sean Bell, "Bobby" in Harmony
Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists:www.thecomedianharmonists.com
Learn More About Harmony A New Musical:www.harmonyanewmusical.com
In 1927, a young man in Germany placed an ad in the local paper:
“Attention. Rare opportunity. Tenor, Bass (professional singer not over 25), musically talented, nice-sounding voices, for unique ensemble. Kindly give days and times when available [for rehearsals, etc.]”
Out of that two-line ad, came one of the most celebrated music acts of the 20th century: the Comedian Harmonists. The internationally renowned vocal group made over 200 recordings, performed in over 150 concerts around the world and appeared in numerous films. They played the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Coliseum and Radio City Music Hall. And yet, for most, the name “Comedian Harmonists” doesn’t ring a bell. How could that be?
Well, the Comedian Harmonists rose to fame in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Germany — and half of its members were Jewish. Because of this, the Nazi regime designated the work of the Comedian Harmonists “degenerate art” and much of it was destroyed. Lost to history.
But…not all of it.
The little that there was inspired writer Bruce Sussman to dig into the story of the Comedian Harmonists and, with his artistic partner Barry Manilow, create a musical uncovering their music, artistry and stories for the world to know and remember. “Harmony” officially opened on Broadway November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater .
And yet, there is only so much history one can fit into a Broadway musical. As Bruce said…
“I just needed to simplify, pair it down.” “There were so many things that I could have done, but I had to make choices. As Sondheim famously wrote, the choice may be wrong, but the choosing is right.”
Harmony closed on February 4, 2024 but the lost history it resurrected is worth a closer look. In this podcast, “Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony”, we’re digging deeper into the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. I’m your host, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Over the course of this series, we’ll dive into the full history of the Comedian Harmonists — it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll learn the details about each of the six famous singers — where they grew up, their musical specialty, their personal lives and what happened after their time with the group. Plus, you’ll hear from creatives and cast members about using this history to create “Harmony” onstage.
Join us. There’s a lot to uncover.
Host: Ruthie Fierberg
Editor: Daniel Pineiro
Producers: Harmony A New Musical, Broadway News
Josef Roman Cycowski, the peacemaker
35m · Published“Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony” is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News.
Songs In This Episode:
- “Stars In The Night” from Harmony: A New Musical
- "The Wedding" from Harmony: A New Musical
- "Where You Go" from Harmony: A New Musical
- "Every Single Day" from Harmony: A New Musical
Guests In This Episode (in order of appearance):
- Danny Kornfeld, “Young Rabbi” in Harmony
- Jan Grübler, Historian
- Chip Zien, "Rabbi" in Harmony
- Bruce Sussman, Harmony co-writer
Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists:www.thecomedianharmonists.com
Learn More About Harmony A New Musical:www.harmonyanewmusical.com
In 1927, a young man in Germany placed an ad in the local paper:
“Attention. Rare opportunity. Tenor, Bass (professional singer not over 25), musically talented, nice-sounding voices, for unique ensemble. Kindly give days and times when available [for rehearsals, etc.]”
Out of that two-line ad, came one of the most celebrated music acts of the 20th century: the Comedian Harmonists. The internationally renowned vocal group made over 200 recordings, performed in over 150 concerts around the world and appeared in numerous films. They played the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Coliseum and Radio City Music Hall. And yet, for most, the name “Comedian Harmonists” doesn’t ring a bell. How could that be?
Well, the Comedian Harmonists rose to fame in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Germany — and half of its members were Jewish. Because of this, the Nazi regime designated the work of the Comedian Harmonists “degenerate art” and much of it was destroyed. Lost to history.
But…not all of it.
The little that there was inspired writer Bruce Sussman to dig into the story of the Comedian Harmonists and, with his artistic partner Barry Manilow, create a musical uncovering their music, artistry and stories for the world to know and remember. “Harmony” officially opened on Broadway November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater .
And yet, there is only so much history one can fit into a Broadway musical. As Bruce said…
“I just needed to simplify, pair it down.” “There were so many things that I could have done, but I had to make choices. As Sondheim famously wrote, the choice may be wrong, but the choosing is right.”
Harmony closed on February 4, 2024 but the lost history it resurrected is worth a closer look. In this podcast, “Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony”, we’re digging deeper into the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. I’m your host, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Over the course of this series, we’ll dive into the full history of the Comedian Harmonists — it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll learn the details about each of the six famous singers — where they grew up, their musical specialty, their personal lives and what happened after their time with the group. Plus, you’ll hear from creatives and cast members about using this history to create “Harmony” onstage.
Join us. There’s a lot to uncover.
Host: Ruthie Fierberg
Editor: Daniel Pineiro
Producers: Harmony A New Musical, Broadway News
Erich Collin, the intellectual
35m · Published“Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony” is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News.
Songs In This Episode:
- “Stars In The Night” from Harmony: A New Musical
- “Harmony” from Harmony: A New Musical
- "Your Son Is Becoming a Singer" from Harmony: A New Musical
Guests In This Episode (in order of appearance):
- Eric Peters, “Erich” in Harmony
- Jan Grübler, Historian
- Marc Alexander, Erich Collin's grandson
- Deborah Tint, Erich Collin's granddaughter
Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists:www.thecomedianharmonists.com
Learn More About Harmony A New Musical:www.harmonyanewmusical.com
In 1927, a young man in Germany placed an ad in the local paper:
“Attention. Rare opportunity. Tenor, Bass (professional singer not over 25), musically talented, nice-sounding voices, for unique ensemble. Kindly give days and times when available [for rehearsals, etc.]”
Out of that two-line ad, came one of the most celebrated music acts of the 20th century: the Comedian Harmonists. The internationally renowned vocal group made over 200 recordings, performed in over 150 concerts around the world and appeared in numerous films. They played the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Coliseum and Radio City Music Hall. And yet, for most, the name “Comedian Harmonists” doesn’t ring a bell. How could that be?
Well, the Comedian Harmonists rose to fame in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Germany — and half of its members were Jewish. Because of this, the Nazi regime designated the work of the Comedian Harmonists “degenerate art” and much of it was destroyed. Lost to history.
But…not all of it.
The little that there was inspired writer Bruce Sussman to dig into the story of the Comedian Harmonists and, with his artistic partner Barry Manilow, create a musical uncovering their music, artistry and stories for the world to know and remember. “Harmony” officially opened on Broadway November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater .
And yet, there is only so much history one can fit into a Broadway musical. As Bruce said…
“I just needed to simplify, pair it down.” “There were so many things that I could have done, but I had to make choices. As Sondheim famously wrote, the choice may be wrong, but the choosing is right.”
Harmony closed on February 4, 2024 but the lost history it resurrected is worth a closer look. In this podcast, “Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony”, we’re digging deeper into the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. I’m your host, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Over the course of this series, we’ll dive into the full history of the Comedian Harmonists — it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll learn the details about each of the six famous singers — where they grew up, their musical specialty, their personal lives and what happened after their time with the group. Plus, you’ll hear from creatives and cast members about using this history to create “Harmony” onstage.
Join us. There’s a lot to uncover.
Host: Ruthie Fierberg
Editor: Daniel Pineiro
Producers: Harmony A New Musical, Broadway News
Harry Frommermann, the founder
39m · Published“Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony” is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News.
Songs In This Episode:
- "Stars In The Night" from Harmony: A New Musical
- "How Can I Serve You Madame " from Harmony: A New Musical
Guests In This Episode (in order of appearance):
- Zal Owen, "Harry" in Harmony
- Jan Grübler, Historian
- Bruce Sussman, Harmony Book/Lyrics
- Michael Salzbank, living relative of Harry Frommermann
Check out these books:
- Kantoren, Künstler, Kontinente - Jüdische Schicksale -: Die Familie von Harry Frommermann, Gründer der „Comedian Harmonists by Jan Grübler
- The Comedian Harmonists: The Last Great Jewish Performers in Nazi Germany by Douglas E. Friedman
Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists:www.thecomedianharmonists.com
Learn More About Harmony A New Musical:www.harmonyanewmusical.com
In 1927, a young man in Germany placed an ad in the local paper:
“Attention. Rare opportunity. Tenor, Bass (professional singer not over 25), musically talented, nice-sounding voices, for unique ensemble. Kindly give days and times when available [for rehearsals, etc.]”
Out of that two-line ad, came one of the most celebrated music acts of the 20th century: the Comedian Harmonists. The internationally renowned vocal group made over 200 recordings, performed in over 150 concerts around the world and appeared in numerous films. They played the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Coliseum and Radio City Music Hall. And yet, for most, the name “Comedian Harmonists” doesn’t ring a bell. How could that be?
Well, the Comedian Harmonists rose to fame in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Germany — and half of its members were Jewish. Because of this, the Nazi regime designated the work of the Comedian Harmonists “degenerate art” and much of it was destroyed. Lost to history.
But…not all of it.
The little that there was inspired writer Bruce Sussman to dig into the story of the Comedian Harmonists and, with his artistic partner Barry Manilow, create a musical uncovering their music, artistry and stories for the world to know and remember. “Harmony” officially opened on Broadway November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater .
And yet, there is only so much history one can fit into a Broadway musical. As Bruce said…
“I just needed to simplify, pair it down.” “There were so many things that I could have done, but I had to make choices. As Sondheim famously wrote, the choice may be wrong, but the choosing is right.”
Harmony closed on February 4, 2024 but the lost history it resurrected is worth a closer look. In this podcast, “Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony”, we’re digging deeper into the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. I’m your host, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Over the course of this series, we’ll dive into the full history of the Comedian Harmonists — it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll learn the details about each of the six famous singers — where they grew up, their musical specialty, their personal lives and what happened after their time with the group. Plus, you’ll hear from creatives and cast members about using this history to create “Harmony” onstage.
Join us. There’s a lot to uncover.
Host: Ruthie Fierberg
Editor: Daniel Pineiro
Producers: Harmony A New Musical, Broadway News
Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway's Harmony has 12 episodes in total of non- explicit content. Total playtime is 7:19:12. The language of the podcast is English. This podcast has been added on February 25th 2024. It might contain more episodes than the ones shown here. It was last updated on May 17th, 2024 13:11.