Sheldon Harnick

Sheldon Harnick is a lyricist, librettist, and composer and has been a leading figure on Broadway since the 1950s. He collaborated for many years with Jerry Bock, with whom he worked to great acclaim as a lyricist of Fiorello!She Loves MeFiddler on the RoofThe Apple Tree, and The Rothschilds. He has also worked with Michel Legrand, Richard Rodgers, Cy Coleman, Marvin Hamlisch, Joe Raposo, Jack Beeson, and Henry Mollicone; written songs for TV and film; and written and translated opera libretti. His work has garnered him many honors, including several Tony Awards, a Grammy, the Spirit of American Creativity Award, two honorary degrees, and the Pulitzer Prize.

In this October 13, 2006 interview, Harnick discusses the Broadway community’s response to West Side Story and the personal importance of Bernstein’s work for him, and shares memories and lessons learned from his own illustrious career, including his experiences with the stage and film versions of Fiddler on the Roof.

[Biographical information from the "Leonard Bernstein: Boston to Broadway" Festival Program Book]

This interview and transcript are available for in-library use. To arrange for access, contact Kerry Masteller.