What Makes it Great?

Explore some of the best-known songs by the unlikely duo of opposites that dominated the Broadway stage for decades. Lyricist Alan Jay Lerner, a scion of a wealthy New York family, teamed up with German-born composer Frederick Loewe to create some of the mid-20th century’s most popular and enduring works of musical theater, including the hit musicals My Fair Lady, Camelot, and Brigadoon. Together, they created an American version of the Viennese operetta that offered audiences an enticing escape into utopian fantasy worlds.

For over 30 years, Rob Kapilow has brought the joy and wonder of music – and unraveled some of its mysteries – to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Characterized by his unique ability to create an “aha” moment for his audiences and collaborators, whatever their level of musical sophistication or naiveté, Kapilow’s work brings music into people’s lives: opening new ears to musical experiences and helping people to listen actively rather than just hear.

Kapilow’s range of activities is astonishingly broad, including his What Makes It Great?® presentations, his family compositions and Family Musik® events, his Citypieces, corporate programs, and residencies with institutions as diverse as the National Gallery of Canada and Stanford University. He is an award-winning composer, conductor, author, and commentator. His newest large-scale choral/orchestral composition, We Came to America, based on inter-generational immigrant stories premiered in January 2024. Kapilow was the first composer to be granted the rights to set Dr. Seuss’ words to music, and his setting of Green Eggs and Ham has been called “the most successful piece written for families this half-century.” Kapilow has had extensive media experience from PBS to NPR and NBC’s Today Show with Katie Couric.

As a conductor, he has led most of North America’s major orchestras as well as new works of musical theater, ranging from the Tony Award-winning Nine on Broadway to the premiere of Frida for the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave Festival. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Yale and the Eastman School of Music and student of the legendary Nadia Boulanger he was an assistant professor and conductor of the Yale Symphony Orchestra for six years at the age of 23. He is a Sensei and third-degree black belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate.

Ticket & Visitor Information

For assistance and to make purchases by phone, call the box office at 973-971-3706. The ticket price includes a non-refundable $3.00 service fee. Programs are subject to change.

Photo Caption: Rob Kapilow. Photo by John Johansen.