Doreen Taylor makes Off-Broadway debut with Oscar Hammerstein 'docu-musical'

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From his early work on Broadway with composer Jerome Kern to his most successful partnership and collaboration with Richard Rodgers, when the duo created such master works as “Oklahoma!” “South Pacific,” “The King and I” “The Sound of Music” and many more, Hammerstein is widely remembered as one of America’s most legendary theatrical producers. What’s lesser known is that when Hammerstein moved to Doylestown in 1940, it was there and over the next 19 years that he and Rodgers wrote those timeless classics.

GALLERY: Photo shoot with Doreen Taylor at historic Highland Farm

During a recent interview, Taylor, an award-winning vocalist, Billboard Top 100 recording artist and lover of musical theater herself, said she felt honored to have been selected to star in “An Enchanting Evening.” 

She’ll be on stage alongside renowned Broadway actor Davis Gaines (“Phantom of the Opera,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Man of La Mancha,” etc.)

“I’m living right here, all this time, and I had no idea that right here in Doylestown, Oscar lived and wrote all the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals…and to top it off, [they] want to tear it down and put up a subdivision. It infuriates me that they would want to pave that over – the history that’s at that home,” Taylor said.

“As soon as I heard that, I started brainstorming. What can I do? How can I pay it forward? If ever there was a time to pay it forward, it would be now.”

Shortly after Hammerstein died in 1960, the Hammerstein’s sold Highland Farm, which is now being threatened by a 4-lot subdivision. Taylor, members of the Hammerstein family, and those sharing similar interests are hoping to salvage the farm and turn it into a museum, theater and educational center with tours for what many consider the birthplace of modern American musical theater.

Taylor said she created the show, curated the content to make the documentary and that “it was just meant to be.” 

After “An Enchanted Evening” received critical acclaim at the Bristol Riverside Theatre in August, producers decided to pitch it Off-Broadway, and from there the show took off.

“’Oklahoma!’ was the first show they had written together. You can hear the influence,” Taylor said.

“When you think of ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,’ it’s so just eloquent when you think of [Hammerstein] looking out over this massive estate [at Highland Farm] and this sprawling land and farm and he’s writing these amazing words…You can’t be there and not feel it. I just can’t imagine it being torn down.”

Taylor said William Hammerstein, Oscar’s grandson, gave producers a rare glimpse into the famed director’s private, never-before-seen images and videos, and shared personal stories offering an intimate look at Hammerstein’s life and music through documentary storytelling and performances.

“Doreen’s talent and personal values make her a perfect torchbearer for this exemplary legacy,” said William Hammerstein in a press release.

“I’m sure Oscar would be very pleased with the association.”

“We can’t go a day without hearing an Oscar and Hammerstein lyric in a commercial,” said Taylor.

“It’s very, very relevant, but unfortunately, some people just don’t know about it. My mission is to try and get people to know about this.”

“An Enchanted Evening: A Night with Oscar Hammerstein II” runs Dec. 8 through 17 at the 777 Theatre at the Roy Arias Theater Center, 777 8th Ave. (between 47th and 48th streets), New York City, N.Y. Tickets are $80 and on sale here. Proceeds will be donated to help save Highland Farm in Doylestown.