STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The 1940s were considered the Golden Age of American musical theater. That’s when Americans were introduced to Rodgers and Hammerstein through “Oklahoma!” They heard songs like “If I Loved You” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in “Carousel.” And Cole Porter set song to the battle of the sexes in “Kiss Me Kate.”

Relive those musicals and others when music meister R.L. Rowsey explores the subject in a free talk at 5:30 p.m. tonight—Wednesday, April 24—at the Hailey Public library.

As you might expect, this lecture comes with song as Rowsey sits down at the piano to share examples of songs from some of the most beloved Broadway musicals of the era.

Rowsey will discuss the popularity of songs from the Broadway musicals of that era and explore their role in music that was played on pianos in parlors and living rooms.

Rowsey himself has played these hits countless times while working in theaters on the East Coast, traveling the country as musical director of national tours and working at nearly every theatre company in the valley, including Company of Fools.

Currently, he is the educational artistic director for the Sun Valley Music Festival, formerly the Sun Valley Summer Symphony, music director for Caritas Chorale and pianist at Light on the Mountains Center for Spiritual Living.

The presentation is part of the library’s year-long centennial celebration, which is exploring a different decade each month.

“We are delighted to have someone as passionate and knowledgeable as R.L. share the musical richness of the 1940s as part of our year-long centennial celebration,” said Library Program Specialist Kristin Fletcher.