Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway's Harmony Harmony

“Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony” is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News.

Songs In This Episode (from Harmony):


"Overture"
“Stars In The Night”

Guests In This Episode (in order of appearance):


Warren Carlyle
Beowulf Boritt
Peggy Eisenhauer
Dan Moses Schreier
Linda Cho
Ricky Lurie

Mentioned In This Episode:


⁠Watch Broadway's Harmony perform "Rhapsody #20" ⁠
⁠Watch the entire titular song "Harmony" ⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Comedian Harmonists perform together⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thecomedianharmonists.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn More About Harmony A New Musical: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.harmonyanewmusical.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In 1927, a young man in Germany placed an ad in the local paper:

“Attention. Rare opportunity. Tenor, Bass (professional singer not over 25), musically talented, nice-sounding voices, for unique ensemble. Kindly give days and times when available [for rehearsals, etc.]”

Out of that two-line ad, came one of the most celebrated music acts of the 20th century: the Comedian Harmonists. The internationally renowned vocal group made over 200 recordings, performed in over 150 concerts around the world and appeared in numerous films. They played the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Coliseum and Radio City Music Hall. And yet, for most, the name “Comedian Harmonists” doesn’t ring a bell. How could that be?

Well, the Comedian Harmonists rose to fame in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Germany — and half of its members were Jewish. Because of this, the Nazi regime designated the work of the Comedian Harmonists “degenerate art” and much of it was destroyed. Lost to history.

But…not all of it.

The little that there was inspired writer Bruce Sussman to dig into the story of the Comedian Harmonists and, with his artistic partner Barry Manilow, create a musical uncovering their music, artistry and stories for the world to know and remember. “Harmony” officially opened on Broadway November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater .

And yet, there is only so much history one can fit into a Broadway musical. As Bruce said…

“I just needed to simplify, pair it down.” “There were so many things that I could have done, but I had to make choices. As Sondheim famously wrote, the choice may be wrong, but the choosing is right.”

Harmony closed on February 4, 2024 but the lost history it resurrected is worth a closer look. In this podcast, “Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony”, we’re digging deeper into the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. I’m your host, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Over the course of this series, we’ll dive into the full history of the Comedian Harmonists — it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll learn the details about each of the six famous singers — where they grew up, their musical specialty, their personal lives and what happened after their time with the group. Plus, you’ll hear from creatives and cast members about using this history to create “Harmony” onstage.

Join us. There’s a lot to uncover.

Host: Ruthie Fierberg

Editor: Daniel Pineiro

Producers: Harmony A New Musical, Broadway News

“Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony” is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News.

Songs In This Episode (from Harmony):


"Overture"
“Stars In The Night”
"Threnody"
"Harmony"

Guests In This Episode (in order of appearance):


Bruce Sussman
Jan Grübler
Eric Peters
Chip Zien
Danny Kornfeld
Sean Bell

Mentioned In This Episode:


Watch Chip Zien perform "Threnody" in Harmony
Watch the opening scene in Harmony as described in this episode 
Watch Broadway's Harmony perform "Rhapsody #20" 
Watch the real Josef Roman Cycowski in an interview 
Watch the entire titular song "Harmony" 
⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Comedian Harmonists perform together⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thecomedianharmonists.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn More About Harmony A New Musical: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.harmonyanewmusical.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In 1927, a young man in Germany placed an ad in the local paper:

“Attention. Rare opportunity. Tenor, Bass (professional singer not over 25), musically talented, nice-sounding voices, for unique ensemble. Kindly give days and times when available [for rehearsals, etc.]”

Out of that two-line ad, came one of the most celebrated music acts of the 20th century: the Comedian Harmonists. The internationally renowned vocal group made over 200 recordings, performed in over 150 concerts around the world and appeared in numerous films. They played the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Coliseum and Radio City Music Hall. And yet, for most, the name “Comedian Harmonists” doesn’t ring a bell. How could that be?

Well, the Comedian Harmonists rose to fame in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Germany — and half of its members were Jewish. Because of this, the Nazi regime designated the work of the Comedian Harmonists “degenerate art” and much of it was destroyed. Lost to history.

But…not all of it.

The little that there was inspired writer Bruce Sussman to dig into the story of the Comedian Harmonists and, with his artistic partner Barry Manilow, create a musical uncovering their music, artistry and stories for the world to know and remember. “Harmony” officially opened on Broadway November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater .

And yet, there is only so much history one can fit into a Broadway musical. As Bruce said…

“I just needed to simplify, pair it down.” “There were so many things that I could have done, but I had to make choices. As Sondheim famously wrote, the choice may be wrong, but the choosing is right.”

Harmony closed on February 4, 2024 but the lost history it resurrected is worth a closer look. In this podcast, “Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony”, we’re digging deeper into the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. I’m your host, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Over the course of this series, we’ll dive into the full history of the Comedian Harmonists — it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll learn the details about each of the six famous singers — where they grew up, their musical specialty, their personal lives and what happened after their time with the group. Plus, you’ll hear from creatives and cast members about using this history to create “Harmony” onstage.

Join us. There’s a lot to uncover.

Host: Ruthie Fierberg

Editor: Daniel Pineiro

Producers: Harmony A New Musical, Broadway News

“Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony” is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News.

Songs In This Episode (from Harmony):


“Stars In The Night”
"We're Goin' Loco"

Guests In This Episode (in order of appearance):


Jan Grübler
Chip Zien (Voice of "Albert Einstein")
Allison Semmes, "Josephine Baker"

Mentioned In This Episode:


Listen to "Sous le ciel d'Afrique"
Listen to “Espabilate”
⁠⁠⁠Watch the Comedian Harmonists perform together⁠⁠⁠

Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thecomedianharmonists.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn More About Harmony A New Musical: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.harmonyanewmusical.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In 1927, a young man in Germany placed an ad in the local paper:

“Attention. Rare opportunity. Tenor, Bass (professional singer not over 25), musically talented, nice-sounding voices, for unique ensemble. Kindly give days and times when available [for rehearsals, etc.]”

Out of that two-line ad, came one of the most celebrated music acts of the 20th century: the Comedian Harmonists. The internationally renowned vocal group made over 200 recordings, performed in over 150 concerts around the world and appeared in numerous films. They played the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Coliseum and Radio City Music Hall. And yet, for most, the name “Comedian Harmonists” doesn’t ring a bell. How could that be?

Well, the Comedian Harmonists rose to fame in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Germany — and half of its members were Jewish. Because of this, the Nazi regime designated the work of the Comedian Harmonists “degenerate art” and much of it was destroyed. Lost to history.

But…not all of it.

The little that there was inspired writer Bruce Sussman to dig into the story of the Comedian Harmonists and, with his artistic partner Barry Manilow, create a musical uncovering their music, artistry and stories for the world to know and remember. “Harmony” officially opened on Broadway November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater .

And yet, there is only so much history one can fit into a Broadway musical. As Bruce said…

“I just needed to simplify, pair it down.” “There were so many things that I could have done, but I had to make choices. As Sondheim famously wrote, the choice may be wrong, but the choosing is right.”

Harmony closed on February 4, 2024 but the lost history it resurrected is worth a closer look. In this podcast, “Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony”, we’re digging deeper into the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. I’m your host, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Over the course of this series, we’ll dive into the full history of the Comedian Harmonists — it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll learn the details about each of the six famous singers — where they grew up, their musical specialty, their personal lives and what happened after their time with the group. Plus, you’ll hear from creatives and cast members about using this history to create “Harmony” onstage.

Join us. There’s a lot to uncover.

Host: Ruthie Fierberg

Editor: Daniel Pineiro

Producers: Harmony A New Musical, Broadway News

“Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony” is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News.

Table of Contents:


2:16 - Erna/Marion Kiss
8:59 - Olga Bertha Wolff
14:45 - Fernande, Suzanne, and Anna Marie Collin
37:50 - Mary Magedalena Panzram
48:15 - Hilde Longino
48:50 - Ella
49:22 - Delphine David
51:08 - Saschka Andrejeva Siderova
52:00 - Ursula Elkan
1:01:42 - Ruth Sametzki
1:02:19 - Helga Gade
1:03:43 - "Ruth" in Harmony

Songs In This Episode (from Harmony):


“Stars In The Night”
"Overture"
"And What Do You See"
"Every Single Day"
"Where You Go"

Guests In This Episode (in order of appearance):


Bruce Sussman
Jan Grübler
Zal Owen
Marc Alexander, Erich's grandchild
Deborah Tint, Erich's grandchild
Sierra Boggess
Beryn Hammil, Ursula's daughter
Julie Benko

Mentioned In This Episode:


Listen to Episode 2 featuring Harry Frommermann
Listen to Episode 3 featuring Erich Collin
Listen to Episode 4 featuring Josef Roman Cycowski
Watch Mary and Josef Roman Cycowski Playing Cards
Listen to Episode 5 featuring Robert Biberti
Listen to Episode 6 featuring Ari Leschnikoff
Listen to Episode 7 featuring Erwin Bootz
⁠⁠Watch the Comedian Harmonists perform together⁠⁠

Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thecomedianharmonists.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn More About Harmony A New Musical: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.harmonyanewmusical.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In 1927, a young man in Germany placed an ad in the local paper:

“Attention. Rare opportunity. Tenor, Bass (professional singer not over 25), musically talented, nice-sounding voices, for unique ensemble. Kindly give days and times when available [for rehearsals, etc.]”

Out of that two-line ad, came one of the most celebrated music acts of the 20th century: the Comedian Harmonists. The internationally renowned vocal group made over 200 recordings, performed in over 150 concerts around the world and appeared in numerous films. They played the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Coliseum and Radio City Music Hall. And yet, for most, the name “Comedian Harmonists” doesn’t ring a bell. How could that be?

Well, the Comedian Harmonists rose to fame in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Germany — and half of its members were Jewish. Because of this, the Nazi regime designated the work of the Comedian Harmonists “degenerate art” and much of it was destroyed. Lost to history.

But…not all of it.

The little that there was inspired writer Bruce Sussman to dig into the story of the Comedian Harmonists and, with his artistic partner Barry Manilow, create a musical uncovering their music, artistry and stories for the world to know and remember. “Harmony” officially opened on Broadway November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater .

And yet, there is only so much history one can fit into a Broadway musical. As Bruce said…

“I just needed to simplify, pair it down.” “There were so many things that I could have done, but I had to make choices. As Sondheim famously wrote, the choice may be wrong, but the choosing is right.”

Harmony closed on February 4, 2024 but the lost history it resurrected is worth a closer look. In this podcast, “Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony”, we’re digging deeper into the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. I’m your host, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Over the course of this series, we’ll dive into the full history of the Comedian Harmonists — it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll learn the details about each of the six famous singers — where they grew up, their musical specialty, their personal lives and what happened after their time with the group. Plus, you’ll hear from creatives and cast members about using this history to create “Harmony” onstage.

Join us. There’s a l

“Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony” is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News.

Songs In This Episode:


“Stars In The Night” from Harmony: A New Musical
"In This World" from Harmony: A New Musical

Guests In This Episode (in order of appearance):


Blake Roman, "Chopin" in Harmony
Jan Grübler, Historian
Bruce Sussman, Co-Writer of Harmony
Beryn Hammil, Ursula's daughter from second marriage

Mentioned In This Episode:


"Ich hab' für dich 'nen Blumentopf bestellt"
"My Little Green Cactus"
⁠Watch the Comedian Harmonists perform together⁠

Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thecomedianharmonists.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn More About Harmony A New Musical: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.harmonyanewmusical.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In 1927, a young man in Germany placed an ad in the local paper:

“Attention. Rare opportunity. Tenor, Bass (professional singer not over 25), musically talented, nice-sounding voices, for unique ensemble. Kindly give days and times when available [for rehearsals, etc.]”

Out of that two-line ad, came one of the most celebrated music acts of the 20th century: the Comedian Harmonists. The internationally renowned vocal group made over 200 recordings, performed in over 150 concerts around the world and appeared in numerous films. They played the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Coliseum and Radio City Music Hall. And yet, for most, the name “Comedian Harmonists” doesn’t ring a bell. How could that be?

Well, the Comedian Harmonists rose to fame in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Germany — and half of its members were Jewish. Because of this, the Nazi regime designated the work of the Comedian Harmonists “degenerate art” and much of it was destroyed. Lost to history.

But…not all of it.

The little that there was inspired writer Bruce Sussman to dig into the story of the Comedian Harmonists and, with his artistic partner Barry Manilow, create a musical uncovering their music, artistry and stories for the world to know and remember. “Harmony” officially opened on Broadway November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater .

And yet, there is only so much history one can fit into a Broadway musical. As Bruce said…

“I just needed to simplify, pair it down.” “There were so many things that I could have done, but I had to make choices. As Sondheim famously wrote, the choice may be wrong, but the choosing is right.”

Harmony closed on February 4, 2024 but the lost history it resurrected is worth a closer look. In this podcast, “Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony”, we’re digging deeper into the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. I’m your host, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Over the course of this series, we’ll dive into the full history of the Comedian Harmonists — it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll learn the details about each of the six famous singers — where they grew up, their musical specialty, their personal lives and what happened after their time with the group. Plus, you’ll hear from creatives and cast members about using this history to create “Harmony” onstage.

Join us. There’s a lot to uncover.

Host: Ruthie Fierberg

Editor: Daniel Pineiro

Producers: Harmony A New Musical, Broadway News

“Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony” is a podcast produced by Harmony: A New Musical and Broadway News.

Songs In This Episode:


“Stars In The Night” from Harmony: A New Musical
"How Can I Serve You, Madam?" from Harmony: A New Musical

Guests In This Episode (in order of appearance):


Steven Telsey, "Lesh" in Harmony
Jan Grübler, Historian
Bruce Sussman, Co-Writer of Harmony

Mentioned In This Episode:


Watch Ari Leschnikoff sing "Ich liebe die frauen"
Listen to Ari Leschnikoff sing "O Sole Mio"
Watch the Comedian Harmonists perform together

Learn More About The Comedian Harmonists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thecomedianharmonists.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn More About Harmony A New Musical: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.harmonyanewmusical.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

In 1927, a young man in Germany placed an ad in the local paper:

“Attention. Rare opportunity. Tenor, Bass (professional singer not over 25), musically talented, nice-sounding voices, for unique ensemble. Kindly give days and times when available [for rehearsals, etc.]”

Out of that two-line ad, came one of the most celebrated music acts of the 20th century: the Comedian Harmonists. The internationally renowned vocal group made over 200 recordings, performed in over 150 concerts around the world and appeared in numerous films. They played the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Coliseum and Radio City Music Hall. And yet, for most, the name “Comedian Harmonists” doesn’t ring a bell. How could that be?

Well, the Comedian Harmonists rose to fame in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Germany — and half of its members were Jewish. Because of this, the Nazi regime designated the work of the Comedian Harmonists “degenerate art” and much of it was destroyed. Lost to history.

But…not all of it.

The little that there was inspired writer Bruce Sussman to dig into the story of the Comedian Harmonists and, with his artistic partner Barry Manilow, create a musical uncovering their music, artistry and stories for the world to know and remember. “Harmony” officially opened on Broadway November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater .

And yet, there is only so much history one can fit into a Broadway musical. As Bruce said…

“I just needed to simplify, pair it down.” “There were so many things that I could have done, but I had to make choices. As Sondheim famously wrote, the choice may be wrong, but the choosing is right.”

Harmony closed on February 4, 2024 but the lost history it resurrected is worth a closer look. In this podcast, “Who Were The Comedian Harmonists? The True Story Behind Broadway’s Harmony”, we’re digging deeper into the true story of the Comedian Harmonists. I’m your host, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Over the course of this series, we’ll dive into the full history of the Comedian Harmonists — it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll learn the details about each of the six famous singers — where they grew up, their musical specialty, their personal lives and what happened after their time with the group. Plus, you’ll hear from creatives and cast members about using this history to create “Harmony” onstage.

Join us. There’s a lot to uncover.

Host: Ruthie Fierberg

Editor: Daniel Pineiro

Producers: Harmony A New Musical, Broadway News