Leonard Bernstein:  Little Smary

Leonard Bernstein: Little Smary

“Little Smary” is an example of Bernstein’s art song repertoire outside of the theater. The words are by Jennie Bernstein (Bernstein’s mother). The story depicts a young girl playing with her “wuddit” (rabbit). The story was a common bedtime story told to...
Leonard Bernstein:  Prehistoric Man

Leonard Bernstein: Prehistoric Man

In the film version of On the Town, NYFOS friends Betty Comden and Adolph Green have the somewhat uptight Ann Miller character lead the gang of on-leave sailors into the Museum of Natural History, where she gets very turned on by the primitive man exhibit.  The...
Leonard Bernstein:  Something’s Coming

Leonard Bernstein: Something’s Coming

Last night Steven Blier led off the Bernstein concert with “Something’s Coming,” the quintessential expression of the blindly hopeful anticipation of youth from West Side Story. I wanted to pick this song even before knowing that it would be on Steve’s playlist....