There are few songs that capture the spirit of New York City quite like Rodgers & Hart’s 1925 hit “Manhattan.” It’s the dreamy, witty, utterly charming anthem that gave us “The great big city's a wondrous toy” and helped set the tone for a century of Broadway brilliance. This past week, the Big Apple raised a glass to the song that started it all — and to the legendary legacy it inspired during theatrical producer Scott Perrin's 100th birthday of Rodgers & Hart's "Manhattan" .

In true New York fashion, the celebration didn't happen just anywhere. It’s was set at 54 Above, producer Scott Perrin’s storied West 54th Street residence, where the walls hummed with Broadway history and the twin grand pianos practically sang on their own. Not your average musical evening — but a salon, an intimate gathering that paid tribute not just to a song, but to a cultural moment that changed the sound of American theater forever. 

Ted Firth on piano.

The night also marked the 35th anniversary of Perrin’s acclaimed Rodgers & Hart Revue at Rainbow & Stars — a show The New York Times called “the best revue of its type in years” — which promised a lineup of legendary talent to match. 

Acclaimed pianists Tedd Firth and Ted Rosenthal brought the music to life, surrounded by memorabilia worthy of a museum: from Judy Garland’s piano to Ziegfeld treasures and cocktail party war stories featuring everyone from Barbra Streisand to Elaine Stritch. 

Guests singing along.

Amber Edwards singing a tune.

The evening was the epitome of classic New York, honoring its music, and the belief that a great song can live forever. The song that once invited us to “have Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island too” still has the power to make the city feel like a love affair, and as a lucky guest amongst the studded guest list, I was invited to fall in love all over again. 

All photo credit goes to John Munson.