Ethel Barrymore Theatre Presented the Moving Musical “Harmony”

On January 6, 2024, the Ethel Barrymore Theatre presented the musical Harmony. Bruce Sussman wrote the lyrics and book while Barry Manilow composed the music. 

The show tells the true story of the Comedian Harmonists, a group of six musicians in 1920s Germany. With their complex close harmonies and hilarious stage antics, they achieved international fame. Eventually, growing political tensions caused their group’s demise. 

“Rabbi” Josef Roman Cycowski (played by Chip Zien) narrated the show. The musical opened with an upbeat number called “Harmony,” in which Rabbi introduced us to his fellow group members and younger self.

In the 1920s, unemployed actor Harry Frommerman (played by Zal Owen) posted an ad in a local newspaper. The American jazz quintet The Revelers inspired him. He hoped to create a German version of the famous singing group. He held auditions for and founded a music group consisting of three tenors, a bass, a baritone, and a pianist. 

Ari “Lesh” Leschnikoff (played by Steven Tesley) sang tenor. Rabbi described him as a chain-smoking Bulgarian. In the show, Lesh had a cheerful personality.

Erich Abraham Cohen (played by Eric Peters) sang tenor. His father worked as a doctor and made him attend medical school. Frommerman asked why Cohen wanted to sing with the Comedic Harmonists. In response, Cohen said that he could not stand the sight of blood.

In addition to creating the group and composing the music, Harry sang tenor. His father was a cantor. Despite his father’s complaints, Harry initially studied acting.

Robert “Bobby” Biberti (played by Sean Bell) sang bass. His father was an Austrian opera singer while his mother was a piano and voice teacher. Like the other members, Bobby came to Frommerman’s apartment to audition. He had a beautiful low voice and described himself as a practical man.

Erwin “Chopin” Bootz (portrayed by Blake Roman) played the piano and composed the Comedian Harmonists’s songs with Harry. Lesh brought Chopin to the audition. Notably, Chopin said that a beautiful woman gave him the nickname.

Near the end of the song, Rabbi introduced the audience to his younger self. Young Rabbi (played by Danny Kornfeld) sang baritone. He was born into a Chadsic Jewish family in Poland. Initially, he trained as a cantor. Eventually, he started a career as an opera singer in Germany. Young Rabbi worked in a German synagogue before joining the Comedic Harmonists.

In a ballad called “And What Do You See,” Rabbi’s girlfriend, Mary (played by Sierra Boggess), discussed her observations of political tensions. She saw the conflict through the window of her shop, where she worked as a seamstress. She asks Young Rabbi “‘Tell me how do we live in a world that is crumbling away and be happy as we are today?’”

In a number titled “This Is Our Time,” Young Rabbi, Mary, Ruth (played by Julie Benko), and Harry shared their opinions on the political tensions.

First, Young Rabbi responded to Mary. He said that this is their time to shine, even if it’s the last time to do so. Other characters echoed his sentiment.

Chopin’s girlfriend, Ruth, worked as a political activist. In this song, she stood on a box and led a protest against fascism and Nazism. Behind her, the ensemble carried signs that echoed Ruth’s words. After their audition, the Comedic Harmonists joined her at the protest and sang with her.

“Your Son Is Becoming A Singer” was an upbeat and hilarious song. After a gig, the Comedic Harmonists gained the opportunity to work with a producer. Erich said that he would have to quit the group. His parents did not know that he started singing instead of finishing medical school. Another group member suggested that they role-play the hypothetical conversation, with Lesh as the mother and Bobby as the father.

“Every Single Day” advanced the show’s plot. Young Rabbi proposed to Mary, but she declined. She worried about how marrying a Jewish man would affect her status in Germany. Young Rabbi explained that he would love her every single day. Eventually, she agreed to marry him.

Also in “Every Single Day,” Chopin proposed to Ruth. She accepted the request right away. The two kissed by an on-stage piano.

Mary gave Ruth an original red coat made from old bedsheets. Ruth hugged and thanked Mary. In numerous later scenes, she wore the coat with pride while leading protests.

“How Can I Serve You, Madam” showed the period’s looming antisemitic beliefs. The Comedian Harmonists prepared to sing at a gig. They were supposed to wear tuxedos. Unfortunately, someone stole the outfits from the venue’s office. In their place, the perpetrator wrote antisemitic remarks. The Comedic Harmonists still performed at the venue.

Instead of tuxedoes, the group wore waiter uniforms. On stage, they pushed tables, which hid their lower half. Soon, they revealed that they wore boxers and no pants. They danced with silver trays, which made the audience laugh. Towards the number’s end, the Comedic Harmonists poured water on an ensemble member’s head repeatedly. 

“The Wedding” communicated the period’s harsh beliefs. Mary and Ruth had a joint ceremony, in which they married their respective husbands. The couples stood under a chuppah. Young Rabbi and Chopin wore kippahs. In addition, Young Rabbi wore a tallit. The grooms lifted their brides’ veils. In Judaism, the act symbolizes the groom’s promise to accept, protect, and cherish his bride. A startling event occurred.

An actor who played a Nazi smashed a stained glass window set piece. The stage lights flashed and the characters ran off the stage. The scene portrayed the period’s dehumanization of Jewish people.

Also in Act One, the Comedic Harmonists toured the world. They performed in London, France, and New York, among other places. While in New York, the group learned about the horrors that occurred in Germany. Despite not living there for a year, Bobby convinced the group to go back to Germany. Rabbi shouted that the group members should not have listened. He yelled for Young Rabbi to change the group’s mind. Soon after the dramatic moment, the curtain closed.

The show featured a fifteen-minute intermission. The Barrymore Theatre sold Harmony merchandise. The bar sold Hershey bars, Pringles, peanuts, and cocktails.

Act Two depicted the rise of the Nazis in Germany and how it affected the Comedic Harmonists. At first, the Nazis wanted the Comedic Harmonists to act as cultural ambassadors. In response, the Comedic Harmonists performed “Come to the Fatherland,” which parodied a German tourism advertisement. The singing group dressed as marionette dolls, which showed their anger towards the Nazis.

As the treatment of Jewish people worsened, the Comedian Harmonists planned to leave Germany. “Where You Go” told Mary and Ruth’s contrasting stories. Mary decided to flee with Young Rabbi, while Ruth chose to not escape with Chopin. Ruth wanted to continue protesting against the Nazis. The gripping song and lyrics created haunting moments.

In “Stars in the Night,” Rabbi sat on a chair next to a record player. He told the viewers about his group member’s outcomes. Each young singer said goodbye, then turned around. A spotlight shined on the Rabbi as he reflected on his memories.

He told the audience that despite dark world events, the stars refused to surrender. He delivered the song’s lyrics in a striking tenor voice.