Cy Coleman (born Seymour Kaufman; June 14, 1929 – November 18, 2004) was an American composer, songwriter, and

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

pianist.

Life and career

Coleman was born Seymour Kaufman in New York City, to Eastern European Jewish parents, and was raised in

the Bronx The Bronx ( ) is the northernmost of the five Boroughs of New York City, boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. It shares a land border with Westchester County, New York, West ...

. His mother, Ida (née Prizent) was an apartment landlady and his father was a brickmason.Berkvist, Rober
"Cy Coleman, Composer Whose Jazz-Fired Musicals Blazed on Broadway, Dies at 75"
''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'', November 20, 2004. He was a

child prodigy A child prodigy is, technically, a child under the age of 10 who produces meaningful work in some domain at the level of an adult expert. The term is also applied more broadly to describe young people who are extraordinarily talented in some f ...

who gave piano recitals at venues such as Steinway Hall,

Town Hall In local government, a city hall, town hall, civic centre (in the UK or Australia), guildhall, or municipal hall (in the Philippines) is the chief administrative building of a city, town, or other municipality. It usually houses the city o ...

, and

Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall ( ) is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It is at 881 Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh Avenue, occupying the east side of Seventh Avenue between 56th Street (Manhattan), 56th and 57th Street (Manhattan), 57t ...

between the ages of six and nine.Jones, Kennet
"Cy Coleman, a Master of the Show Tune, Is Dead at 75"
, Playbill.com, November 19, 2004. Before beginning his fabled Broadway career, he led the Cy Coleman Trio, which made many recordings and was a much-in-demand club attraction. Despite the early classical and

success, Coleman decided to build a career in

popular music Popular music is music with wide appeal that is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. These forms and styles can be enjoyed and performed by people with little or no musical training.Popular Music. (2015). ''Fun ...

. His first collaborator was Joseph Allen McCarthy, but his most successful early partnership, albeit a turbulent one, was with

Carolyn Leigh Carolyn Leigh (August 21, 1926 – November 19, 1983) was an American lyricist for Broadway, film, and popular songs. She is best known as the writer with partner Cy Coleman of the pop standards "Witchcraft" and " The Best Is Yet to Come". W ...

. The pair wrote many pop hits, including "

Witchcraft Witchcraft is the use of Magic (supernatural), magic by a person called a witch. Traditionally, "witchcraft" means the use of magic to inflict supernatural harm or misfortune on others, and this remains the most common and widespread meanin ...

" and " The Best Is Yet to Come". One of his instrumentals, "Playboy's Theme," became the signature music of the regular syndicated late night TV show '' Playboy After Dark'' in the 1960s. This included specials presented by the editor/publisher Hugh M. Hefner of ''

Playboy ''Playboy'' (stylized in all caps) is an American men's Lifestyle journalism, lifestyle and entertainment magazine, available both online and in print. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, funded in part by a $ ...

'' magazine, and remains synonymous with the Chicago magazine and its creator, Hefner. Coleman's career as a Broadway composer began when he and Leigh collaborated on '' Wildcat'' (1960), which marked the Broadway debut of movie/television comedienne

Lucille Ball Lucille Désirée Ball (August 6, 1911 – April 26, 1989) was an American actress, comedian, producer, and studio executive. She was recognized by ''Time (magazine), Time'' in 2020 as one of the most influential women of the 20th century for h ...

. The score included the hit tune " Hey, Look Me Over". When Ball became ill, she left the show, and it closed. Next for the two was '' Little Me'', with a book by

Neil Simon Marvin Neil Simon (July 4, 1927 – August 26, 2018) was an American playwright, screenwriter and author. He wrote more than 30 plays and nearly the same number of movie screenplays, mostly film adaptations of his plays. He received three ...

based on the novel of the same name by Patrick Dennis. The show introduced "Real Live Girl" and " I've Got Your Number," which became popular standards. In 1964, Coleman met

Dorothy Fields Dorothy Fields (July 15, 1904 – March 28, 1974) was an American librettist and lyricist. She wrote more than 400 songs for Broadway musicals and films. Her best-known pieces include " The Way You Look Tonight" (1936), "A Fine Romance" (193 ...

at a party, and when he asked if she would like to collaborate with him, she is reported to have answered: "Thank God somebody asked." Fields was revitalized by working with the much younger Coleman, and by the contemporary nature of their first project, which was ''

Sweet Charity ''Sweet Charity'' is a musical with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields, and book by Neil Simon, based on the screenplay for the 1957 Italian film '' Nights of Cabiria''. It was directed and choreographed for Broadway by Bob Fosse sta ...

'', again with a book by Simon, starring Gwen Verdon, and introducing the songs "

If My Friends Could See Me Now "If My Friends Could See Me Now", with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields, is a song from the 1966 Broadway musical ''Sweet Charity''. In the musical the character of Charity, played in the original New York cast by Gwen Verdon, ref ...

", "I'm a Brass Band", "

Big Spender "Big Spender" is a song written by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields for the musical '' Sweet Charity'', first performed in 1966. Peggy Lee was the first artist to record the song (on single released on Jan 29, 1966), also on the album ''Big Spender ...

" and " The Rhythm of Life". The show was a major success and Coleman found working with Fields much easier than with Leigh. The partnership was to work on two more shows – an aborted project about

Eleanor Roosevelt Anna Eleanor Roosevelt ( ; October 11, 1884November 7, 1962) was an American political figure, diplomat, and activist. She was the longest-serving First Lady of the United States, first lady of the United States, during her husband Franklin D ...

, and '' Seesaw'' which reached Broadway in 1973 after a troubled out-of-town tour. Despite mixed reviews, the show enjoyed a healthy run. The partnership was cut short by Fields' death in 1974. Coleman remained prolific in the late 1970s. He collaborated on '' I Love My Wife'' (1977) with Michael Stewart, '' On the Twentieth Century'' (1978) with Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and ''Home Again, Home Again'' with Barbara Fried, although the latter never reached Broadway. Also in 1970, he produced the single "Lying Here" (Mercury 73150) for the Rock opera ''Sensations'', and took a full-page (back cover) advert in ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...

'' magazine to promote his upcoming star vocalist Steve Leeds. Neil Simon - Coleman - 1982

In 1980, Coleman served as producer and composer for the circus-themed '' Barnum'', which co-starred Jim Dale and Glenn Close. Later in the decade, he collaborated on ''Welcome to the Club'' (1988) with A. E. Hotchner, and '' City of Angels'' (1989) with

David Zippel David Joel Zippel (born May 17, 1954) is an American musical theatre and film lyricist, composer, songwriter, director, and producer. Early life and education Zippel was born on May 17, 1954, in Easton, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley region ...

. In the latter, inspired by the hard-boiled detective

film noir Film noir (; ) is a style of Cinema of the United States, Hollywood Crime film, crime dramas that emphasizes cynicism (contemporary), cynical attitudes and motivations. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of Ameri ...

of the 1930s and 1940s, he returned to his jazz roots, and the show was a huge critical and commercial success. The 1990s brought more new Coleman musicals to Broadway: ''

The Will Rogers Follies ''The Will Rogers Follies'' is a Musical theatre, musical with a book by Peter Stone (writer), Peter Stone, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and music by Cy Coleman. It focuses on the life and career of humorist and performer Will Rogers, ...

'' (1991), again with Comden and Green, '' The Life'' (1997), a gritty look at pimps, prostitutes, and assorted other lowlife in the big city, with Ira Gasman, and a revised production of ''Little Me''. Coleman's film scores include '' Father Goose'', ''The Art of Love'', '' Garbo Talks'', '' Power'', and ''

Family Business A family business is a commercial organization in which decision-making is influenced by multiple generations of a family, related by Consanguinity , blood, marriage or adoption, who has both the ability to influence the vision of the business a ...

''. In addition, he wrote memorable television specials for

Shirley MacLaine Shirley MacLaine (born Shirley MacLean Beaty; April 24, 1934) is an American actress and author. With a career spanning over 70 years, she has received List of awards and nominations received by Shirley MacLaine, numerous accolades, including a ...

, ''If My Friends Could See Me Now'' and ''Gypsy in My Soul''.Biography
Feinsteinsattheregency.com, accessed March 30, 2009. Coleman has been the only composer to win consecutive Tony awards for Best Score at the same time that the corresponding musicals won for Best Musical: ''City of Angels'' and ''The Will Rogers Follies'' (although

Stephen Sondheim Stephen Joshua Sondheim (; March22, 1930November26, 2021) was an American composer and lyricist. Regarded as one of the most important figures in 20th-century musical theater, he is credited with reinventing the American musical. He received Lis ...

actually won three consecutive Tony Awards for Best Score for ''

Company A company, abbreviated as co., is a Legal personality, legal entity representing an association of legal people, whether Natural person, natural, Juridical person, juridical or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members ...

'', '' Follies'', and '' A Little Night Music'', ''Follies'' did not win for Best Musical). Coleman was on the ASCAP Board of Directors for many years and also served as their Vice Chairman Writer. One final musical with a Coleman score played in Los Angeles at the Mark Taper Forum between December 2003 and January 2004, under the title ''Like Jazz'', as a Broadway tryout. Investor Transamerica Capital went forward with plans to mount a Broadway production renamed ''In the Pocket''. Dirk Decloedt and Maurice Hines were announced as director and choreographer with an anticipated opening in Spring 2006 but it never opened.

Education

Coleman studied at New York's The High School of Music & Art and the New York College of Music, graduating in 1948."Cy Coleman," ''Encyclopedia of Music in the 20th Century,''
by Lol Henderson & Lee Stacey (eds.), Fitzroy Dearborn (1999), p. 131; .

Death

Coleman died of cardiac arrest at 11:59 pm on November 18, 2004, at New York Hospital, aged 75. He was survived by his wife, Shelby Coleman (née Brown) and their adopted daughter, Lily Cye Coleman (born in 2000). To the very end, he was part of the Broadway scene – he had attended the premiere of

Michael Frayn Michael Frayn, FRSL (; born 8 September 1933) is an English playwright and novelist. He is best known as the author of the farce ''Noises Off'' and the dramas ''Copenhagen (play), Copenhagen'' and ''Democracy (play), Democracy''. Frayn's novel ...

's new play ''Democracy'' earlier on November 18.

Theatre credits

Awards, nominations and honors

Awards and nominations

*1997

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ce ...

Best Book of a Musical ''The Life'' (nominee) *1997 Tony Award Best Musical ''The Life'' (nominee) *1997 Tony Award Best Original Score ''The Life'' (nominee) *1991 Tony Award Best Musical ''

'' (winner) *1991 Tony Award Best Original Score ''The Will Rogers Follies'' (winner) *1990 Tony Award Best Musical ''City of Angels'' (winner) *1990 Tony Award Best Original Score ''City of Angels'' (winner) *1980 Tony Award Best Musical ''Barnum'' (nominee) *1980 Tony Award Best Original Score ''Barnum'' (nominee) *1978 Tony Award Best Musical ''On the Twentieth Century'' (nominee) *1978 Tony Award Best Original Score '' On the Twentieth Century'' (winner) *1977 Tony Award Best Musical '' I Love My Wife'' (nominee) *1977 Tony Award Best Original Score ''I Love My Wife'' (nominee) *1974 Tony Award Best Musical ''Seesaw'' (nominee) *1974 Tony Award Best Original Score ''Seesaw'' (nominee) *1966 Tony Award Best Composer and Lyricist ''

'' (nominee) *1966 Tony Award Best Musical ''Sweet Charity'' (nominee) *1963 Tony Award Best Composer and Lyricist ''Little Me'' (nominee) *1963 Tony Award Best Musical ''Little Me'' (nominee) He also won three

Emmy Awards The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the year, each with their own set of rules and award categor ...

and two

Grammy Awards The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious a ...

, and an

Academy Award The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in film. They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States in recognition of excellence ...

nomination.

Honors

Among his many honors and awards, Coleman was elected to the Songwriter's Hall of Fame (1981), and was the recipient of the Songwriter's Hall of Fame

Johnny Mercer John Herndon Mercer (November 18, 1909 – June 25, 1976) was an American lyricist, songwriter, and singer, as well as a record label executive who co-founded Capitol Records with music industry businessmen Buddy DeSylva and Wallichs Music Cit ...

Award (1995) and the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers Award for lifetime achievement in American

musical theatre Musical theatre is a form of theatre, theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, ...

. He was elected to the American Theatre Hall of Fame and received an Honorary Doctorate from

Hofstra University Hofstra University is a Private university, private research university in Hempstead, New York, United States. It originated in 1935 as an extension of New York University and became an independent college in 1939. Comprising ten schools, includ ...

in 2000.Hofstra University: Speakers for Commencement 2000
Newswise.com, May 10, 2000.

References

External links

* *
Excerpts from ''Life Stories of Cy'', Shelby's show about her late husband
-

YouTube YouTube is an American social media and online video sharing platform owned by Google. YouTube was founded on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim who were three former employees of PayPal. Headquartered in ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Coleman, Cy 1929 births 2004 deaths American jazz pianists American male jazz pianists American film score composers American musical theatre composers American male musical theatre composers American television composers Broadway composers and lyricists Broadway theatre producers Drama Desk Award winners The High School of Music & Art alumni Grammy Award winners Jubilee Records artists Jewish American film score composers Jewish American songwriters New York College of Music alumni Musicians from New York City Primetime Emmy Award winners Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development alumni Songwriters from New York (state) Tony Award winners 20th-century American pianists 20th-century American composers Jazz musicians from New York (state) Äva Records artists 20th-century American male musicians