- [Announcer] Coming up on "American Songbook at NJPAC", ♪ There's no business like show business ♪ ♪ Like no business ♪ We celebrate show-stopping songs.

♪ Traveling through the country is so friendly ♪ With music that will make you smile.

♪ And I'll say, Mr. Aladdin sir ♪ ♪ What will your pleasure be ♪ ♪ Let me take your order, jot it down ♪ ♪ You ain't never had a friend like me ♪ ♪ No, no, no ♪ Songs that will make you reflect.

♪ Somebody sit in my chair ♪ ♪ And ruin my sleep ♪ ♪ And make me aware of being alive ♪ And music that reminds us why we love.

♪ In these dreams I love you so ♪ ♪ That by now I think I'll know what ♪ Starring a dazzling array of show-stopping artists.

♪ To be loved by you, to be loved by you ♪ The "American Songbook Series at NJPAC" is presented through the generous support of the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, the David S. Steiner and Sylvia Steiner charitable Trust, the Joan and Allen Bildner Family Fund, and The Smart Family Foundation, David S. Stone Esquire, Stone and Magnanini.

And now from the Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch stage at NJPAC's Victoria Theater in Newark, New Jersey, your host, Ted Chapin.

[audience applauding] - We are calling this program "Show Stoppers".

And if you think you know what that means, you are half right.

In musicals, sometimes songs are created to put a button on the first act, and send the audience out on a high.

In live concerts, a certain song can bring an entire audience to its feet.

Those are show stoppers.

But show stoppers also come from quiet moments, songs that land in a perfect place in the story, and end up having a life that no one could predict.

When MGM was trying to figure out what Dorothy should sing at the beginning of "The Wizard of Oz", for example, there was a lot of discussion.

A song was written and filmed, but the great Louis B. Mayer cut it after the first preview.

The creative team rose up in protest, and Mayer reluctantly agreed to put it back in for one more preview.

It stayed, and had that not happened, today we wouldn't have "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".

Let's begin with one of the all-time great anthems of show business.

Here is Brian Stokes Mitchell.

[audience applauding] ♪ The butcher, the baker, the grocer, the clerk ♪ ♪ Are secretly unhappy men because ♪ ♪ The butcher, the baker, the grocer, the clerk ♪ ♪ Get paid for what they do, but no applause ♪ ♪ They'd gladly bid their dreary jobs goodbye ♪ ♪ For anything theatrical, and why ♪ ♪ There's no business like show business ♪ ♪ Like no business I know ♪ ♪ Everything about it is appealing ♪ ♪ Everything the traffic will allow ♪ ♪ Nowhere could you get that happy feeling ♪ ♪ While you are stealing that extra bow ♪ ♪ There's no people like show people ♪ ♪ They smile when they are low ♪ ♪ Even with a turkey that you know will fold ♪ ♪ You may be stranded out in the cold ♪ ♪ Still, you wouldn't change it for a sack of gold ♪ ♪ Let's go on with the show ♪ ♪ The costumes, the makeup, the scenery, the props ♪ ♪ The audience that lifts you when you're down ♪ ♪ The headaches, the heartaches, the backaches, the flops ♪ ♪ The sheriff who escorts you out of town ♪ ♪ The opening when your heart beats like a drum ♪ ♪ The closing when the customers won't come ♪ ♪ There's no business like show business ♪ ♪ Like no business I know ♪ ♪ You get word before the show has started ♪ ♪ That your favorite uncle died at dawn ♪ ♪ Top of that your pa and ma have parted ♪ ♪ You're broken hearted but you go on ♪ ♪ There's no people like show people ♪ ♪ They don't run outta dough ♪ ♪ Angels come from everywhere with lots of jack ♪ ♪ Then when you lose it there's no attack ♪ ♪ Where could you get money that you don't give back ♪ ♪ Let's go on with the show ♪ ♪ There's no business like show business ♪ ♪ Like no business I know ♪ ♪ Traveling through the country is so friendly ♪ ♪ Standing out in front opening night ♪ ♪ Smiling as you watch that theater filling ♪ ♪ And there's your billing up there in lights ♪ ♪ There's no people like show people ♪ ♪ They smile when they are low ♪ ♪ Yesterday they told you, you would not go far ♪ ♪ That night you opened, and there you are ♪ ♪ Next day on your dressing room they've hung a star ♪ ♪ Let's go on with the show ♪ ♪ Let's go on with the show ♪ [audience cheering] ♪ Ain't no mountain high ♪ ♪ Ain't no valley low ♪ ♪ Ain't no river wide enough, now ♪ ♪ If you need me, call me ♪ ♪ No matter where you are ♪ ♪ No matter how far ♪ ♪ You just call my name, I'll be there in a hurry ♪ ♪ You don't have to worry ♪ ♪ 'Cause baby, there ain't no mountain high enough ♪ ♪ Ain't no valley low enough ♪ ♪ Ain't no river wide enough ♪ ♪ To keep me from getting to you ♪ ♪ Remember the day I set you free ♪ ♪ I told you, you could always count on me ♪ ♪ And from that day on I made a vow ♪ ♪ I'll be there when you want me some way, some how ♪ ♪ 'Cause baby, there ain't no mountain high enough ♪ ♪ Ain't no valley low enough ♪ ♪ Ain't no river wide enough ♪ ♪ To keep me from getting to you, babe ♪ ♪ Oh, no wind, no rain ♪ ♪ Or winter cold can stop me, baby ♪ ♪ No, no, baby you are my love ♪ ♪ Just send for me, oh baby, hey ♪ ♪ My love is alive, way down in my heart ♪ ♪ Although we are miles apart ♪ ♪ If you ever need a helping hand ♪ ♪ I'll be there on the double, fast as I can ♪ ♪ 'Cause baby, there ain't no mountain high enough ♪ ♪ Ain't no valley low enough ♪ ♪ Ain't no river wide enough ♪ ♪ To keep me from getting, one more time ♪ ♪ Ain't no mountain high enough ♪ ♪ Ain't no valley low enough ♪ ♪ Ain't no river wide enough ♪ ♪ To keep me from getting to you, babe ♪ [audience cheering] ♪ For once in my life, I have someone who needs me ♪ ♪ Someone I've needed so long ♪ ♪ For once unafraid, I can go where life leads me ♪ ♪ Somehow I know I'll be strong ♪ ♪ For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of ♪ ♪ Long before I knew ♪ ♪ Someone warm like you ♪ ♪ Would make my dreams come true ♪ ♪ For once in my life, I won't let sorrow hurt me ♪ ♪ Not like it's hurt me before ♪ ♪ For once, I have something I know won't desert me ♪ ♪ I'm not alone anymore ♪ ♪ For once I can say, this is mine, you can't take it ♪ ♪ Long as I know I have love, I can make it ♪ ♪ For once in my life, I have someone who needs me ♪ ♪ For once I can say, this is mine, you can't take it ♪ ♪ Long as I know I have love, I can make it ♪ ♪ For once in my life, I have someone ♪ ♪ For once in my life I've got someone ♪ ♪ For once in my live I have someone ♪ ♪ Who needs me ♪ [audience cheering] ♪ Wah wah wah, oh ah ♪ ♪ Wah wah wah, oh oh ♪ ♪ Wah wah wah, ha ha ha ha ♪ ♪ Well, Ali Baba had them 40 thieves ♪ ♪ Scheherazade had 1000 tales ♪ ♪ But master, you're in luck 'cause up your sleeves ♪ ♪ You got a brand of magic never fails ♪ ♪ You got some power in your corner now ♪ ♪ Some heavy ammunition in your camp ♪ ♪ You got some punch, pizazz, yahoo and how ♪ ♪ All you gotta do is rub that lamp, then I'll say ♪ ♪ Mr. Aladdin sir, what will your pleasure be ♪ ♪ Let me take your order, jot it down ♪ ♪ You ain't never had a friend like me, no, no, no ♪ ♪ Life is your restaurant, and I'm your maitre d' ♪ ♪ Come on, whisper what it is you want ♪ ♪ You ain't never had a friend like me ♪ ♪ Yes sir, we pride ourselves on service ♪ ♪ You're the boss, the king, the shah ♪ ♪ Say what you wish, it's yours, true dish ♪ ♪ How about a little more baklava ♪ ♪ Have some of column A, try all of column B ♪ ♪ I'm in the mood to help you, dude ♪ ♪ You ain't never had a friend like me ♪ ♪ Come back together ♪ ♪ Wah wah wah, oh ah ♪ ♪ Wah wah wah, oh no ♪ ♪ Wah wah wah, ha ha ha ♪ ♪ So don't just sit there slack-jawed, buggy-eyed ♪ ♪ I'm here to answer all your midday prayers ♪ ♪ You got me bona fide, certified ♪ ♪ You got a genie for your charge d'affaires ♪ ♪ I got a powerful urge to help you out ♪ ♪ So what cha wish, I really wanna know ♪ ♪ You got a list that's three miles long, no doubt ♪ ♪ Well, all you gotta do is rub like so ♪ ♪ Give me a doggie bag, I'm taking it home ♪ ♪ Mr. Aladdin sir, have a wish or two or three ♪ ♪ I'm on the job, you big nabob ♪ ♪ You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend ♪ ♪ You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend ♪ ♪ Never had a friend like ♪ ♪ Wah wah wah, ah ♪ ♪ Me ♪ ♪ Wah wah wah, oh ah ♪ ♪ Never had a friend like me, ha ♪ [audience cheering] - So they gave me the job, and I got to sing this song 1500 times.

♪ You're just too good to be true ♪ ♪ Can't take my eyes off of you ♪ ♪ You'd be like Heaven to touch ♪ ♪ I wanna hold you so much ♪ ♪ At long last, love has arrived ♪ ♪ And I thank God I'm alive ♪ ♪ You're just too good to be true ♪ ♪ Can't take my eyes off of you ♪ ♪ Pardon the way that I stare ♪ ♪ There's nothing else to compare ♪ ♪ The sight of you leaves me weak ♪ ♪ There are no words left to speak ♪ ♪ But if you feel like I feel ♪ ♪ Please let me know that it's real ♪ ♪ You're just too good to be true ♪ ♪ Can't take my eyes off of you ♪ ♪ I love you, baby ♪ ♪ And if it's quite all right ♪ ♪ I need you, baby ♪ ♪ To warm the lonely night ♪ ♪ I love you, baby ♪ ♪ Trust in me when I say ♪ ♪ Oh, pretty baby ♪ ♪ Don't bring me down, I pray ♪ ♪ Oh, pretty baby ♪ ♪ Now that I've found you, stay ♪ ♪ And let me love you, baby ♪ ♪ Let me love you ♪ ♪ You're just too good to be true ♪ ♪ Can't take my eyes off of you ♪ ♪ You'd be like Heaven to touch ♪ ♪ I wanna hold you so much ♪ ♪ At long last, love has arrived ♪ ♪ And I thank God I'm alive ♪ ♪ You're just too good to be true ♪ ♪ Can't take my eyes off you ♪ ♪ I love you, baby ♪ ♪ And if it's quite all right ♪ ♪ I need you, baby ♪ ♪ To warm the lonely night ♪ ♪ I love you, baby ♪ ♪ Trust in me when I say ♪ ♪ Oh, pretty baby ♪ ♪ Don't bring me down, I pray ♪ ♪ Oh, pretty baby ♪ ♪ Now that I've found you, stay ♪ ♪ And let me love you, baby ♪ ♪ Let me love you ♪ ♪ You're just good to be true ♪ [audience cheering] ♪ Somewhere over the rainbow ♪ ♪ Way up high ♪ ♪ There's a land that I heard of ♪ ♪ Once in a lullaby ♪ ♪ Somewhere over the rainbow ♪ ♪ Skies are blue ♪ ♪ And the dreams that you dare to dream ♪ ♪ Really do come true ♪ ♪ Someday I'll wish upon a star ♪ ♪ And wake up where the clouds are far behind me ♪ ♪ Where troubles melt like lemon drops ♪ ♪ Away above the chimney tops ♪ ♪ That's where you'll find me ♪ ♪ Somewhere over the rainbow ♪ ♪ Bluebirds fly ♪ ♪ Birds fly over the rainbow ♪ ♪ Why then, oh why can't I ♪ ♪ If happy little bluebirds fly ♪ ♪ Beyond the rainbow ♪ ♪ Why, oh why ♪ ♪ Can't I ♪ [audience cheering] ♪ That's life ♪ ♪ That's what people say ♪ ♪ Up in April, down in May ♪ ♪ But I know I can change that tune ♪ ♪ 'Cause I'll be back on top, back on top in June ♪ ♪ That's life ♪ ♪ Crazy as it seems ♪ ♪ Some people get kicks stomping on dreams ♪ ♪ But I won't let it get me down ♪ ♪ 'Cause this big old world, just keeps spinning 'round ♪ ♪ Been a puppet, pauper, pirate, poet ♪ ♪ Pawn and king ♪ ♪ I've been up and down, over out ♪ ♪ I know one thing ♪ ♪ When I find myself flat on my face ♪ ♪ I pick myself up, and I'm back in the race ♪ ♪ Yes, that's life ♪ ♪ And I don't deny it ♪ ♪ It's crossed my mind to quit ♪ ♪ But my heart just won't buy it ♪ ♪ If I thought it wasn't worth it to try ♪ ♪ Well I'd jump that big bird and away I'd fly ♪ - [Tom] Mr. Dave Fink.

[audience applauding] ♪ Been a puppet, pauper, pirate, poet ♪ ♪ Pawn and king ♪ ♪ Up and down, over out ♪ ♪ I know one thing ♪ ♪ When I find myself laying flat on my face ♪ ♪ I pick myself up and dust myself off ♪ ♪ And I'm back in the race ♪ ♪ Yes, that's life ♪ ♪ Can't deny it ♪ ♪ It has crossed my mind to quit ♪ ♪ But my heart just ain't gonna buy it ♪ ♪ If I thought it wasn't worth trying ♪ ♪ Well I'd roll myself up in a big ball ♪ ♪ And then I'd die ♪ ♪ My, my ♪ Thank you so much.

[audience applauding] Thank you very much.

♪ Once upon a time girl, I was just like you ♪ ♪ Never let my extra large largess shine through ♪ ♪ The hair was brown and nappy, never had no fun ♪ ♪ I hid under a bushel, which is easier said than done ♪ ♪ Then one day my grandma, who was big and stout ♪ ♪ She said you gotta love yourself from inside out ♪ ♪ And just as soon as I learned how to strut my funky stuff ♪ ♪ I found out that the world at large can't get enough, so ♪ ♪ Bring on that pecan pie, pour some sugar on it ♪ ♪ Sugar, don't be shy ♪ ♪ Scoop me up a mess of that chocolate swirl ♪ ♪ Don't be stingy, I'm a growing girl ♪ ♪ I offer big love with no apology ♪ ♪ How can I deny the world the most of me ♪ ♪ I am not afraid to throw my weight around ♪ ♪ Pound by pound by pound ♪ ♪ Because I'm big, blonde and beautiful ♪ ♪ There is nothing 'bout me that's unsuitable ♪ ♪ No one wants a meal that only offers the least ♪ ♪ Baby, serving up the whole damn feast ♪ ♪ Slice off a piece of that hog head cheese ♪ ♪ Then take a look inside my book of recipes ♪ ♪ Now, don't you sniff around for something fluffy and light ♪ ♪ I need a man who brings a man-sized appetite ♪ ♪ I'll use a pinch of sugar and a dash of spice ♪ ♪ I'll let ya lick the spoon because it tastes so nice ♪ ♪ I'll put it in the oven 'til it's good ♪ ♪ I feel like Ellen DeGeneres ♪ ♪ Til I hit the spot ♪ ♪ Because I'm big, blonde and beautiful ♪ ♪ It's time to face the fact it's irrefutable ♪ ♪ No one wants some skinny girl, twiggy as can be ♪ ♪ When with me baby, you can climb the whole tree ♪ ♪ So look no further, Mr. Chapin ♪ ♪ Try to get your arms around me ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ Oh yeah ♪ [audience cheering] - Rogers and Hammerstein not only wrote show-stopping songs, they wrote show-stopping shows.

They had the ability to create moments, specific for both story and character, with songs that became part of the American Songbook on their own.

Generations of singers have discovered these songs, and created unique and distinctive performances.

[audience applauding] - Now I'm gonna start us out with a little Broadway tune, but I'm gonna twist it, tug it, turn it inside out, because that's what love does.

♪ When the sky is a bright canary yellow ♪ ♪ I forget every cloud I've ever seen ♪ ♪ So they call me a cock-eyed optimist ♪ ♪ Immature and incurably green ♪ ♪ I have heard people rant and rave and bellow ♪ ♪ That we're done and we might as well be dead ♪ ♪ But I'm only a cock-eyed optimist ♪ ♪ And I can't get it into my head ♪ ♪ Oh, I hear the human race is falling on its face ♪ ♪ It hasn't very far to go ♪ ♪ But every whippoorwill is selling me a bill ♪ ♪ And telling me it just ain't so ♪ ♪ I could say life is just a bowl of jello ♪ ♪ And appear more intelligent and smart ♪ ♪ But I'm stuck like a dope with a thing called hope ♪ ♪ And I can't get it out of my heart ♪ ♪ Not this heart ♪ ♪ Oh, I hear the human race is falling on its face ♪ ♪ And hasn't very far to go ♪ ♪ But every whippoorwill is selling me a bill ♪ ♪ And telling me it just ain't so ♪ ♪ I could say life is just a bowl of jello ♪ ♪ And appear more intelligent and smart ♪ ♪ But I'm stuck like a dope with a thing called hope ♪ ♪ And I can't get it out of my heart ♪ ♪ Not this ♪ ♪ Heart ♪ [audience applauding] ♪ Blossom of snow ♪ ♪ May you bloom and grow ♪ ♪ Bloom and grow forever ♪ ♪ Oh, mm ♪ ♪ Bless our homeland forever ♪ ♪ Bless our homeland ♪ - As Michael just explained, this was the last song that Oscar Hammerstein wrote before he passed away, and it was written for a musical called "The Sound of Music".

And in the space of that musical in the time, the song is presented as a song of love, and a song of hope, and a song of peace for a country that is in crisis.

I offer this as a prayer to you this evening, because we need it now more than ever.

♪ Edelweiss, edelweiss ♪ ♪ Every morning you greet me ♪ ♪ Oh, small and white, clean and bright ♪ ♪ You look happy to meet me ♪ ♪ Oh, blossom of snow may you bloom and grow ♪ ♪ Bloom and grow forever ♪ ♪ Edelweiss, edelweiss ♪ ♪ Bless our homeland forever ♪ ♪ Oh, blossom of snow may you bloom and grow ♪ ♪ Bloom and grow forever, forever ♪ ♪ Edelweiss, edelweiss ♪ ♪ Bless our homeland forever ♪ ♪ Bless our homeland forever ♪ ♪ Bless our homeland forever ♪ ♪ Bless our homeland forever ♪ ♪ Bless our homeland ♪ ♪ Bless our homeland ♪ ♪ Edelweiss ♪ [audience applauding] You're beautiful.

♪ Don't throw bouquets at me ♪ ♪ Don't please my folks too much ♪ ♪ Don't laugh at my jokes too much ♪ ♪ People will say we're in love ♪ ♪ If I loved you ♪ ♪ Off you would go in the mist of day ♪ ♪ Never, never to know ♪ ♪ How I loved you, if ♪ ♪ I'm as trite and as gay as a daisy in May ♪ ♪ A cliché coming true ♪ ♪ I'm bromidic and bright as a moon-happy night ♪ ♪ Pouring light on the dew ♪ ♪ Do I love you because you're beautiful ♪ ♪ Or are you beautiful because I love you ♪ ♪ Do I want you because you're wonderful ♪ ♪ Or you wonderful because ♪ ♪ I have dreamed that your arms are lovely ♪ ♪ I have dreamed what a joy you'll be ♪ ♪ I have dreamed every word you'll whisper ♪ ♪ When you're close, close to me ♪ ♪ How you look in the glow of evening ♪ ♪ I have dreamed and enjoyed the view ♪ ♪ In these dreams I've loved you so ♪ ♪ That by now I think I know ♪ ♪ What it's like to be loved by you, loved by you ♪ ♪ I will love being loved by you ♪ [audience cheering] - Woo-hoo.

- When Stephen Sondheim died in November of 2021, we lost the most astonishing creator of modern musical theater.

Luckily for us, he left behind a large catalog of songs that have become standards.

From the very start when he contributed only lyrics, to the brilliance of his work as both composer and lyricist, Stephen Sondheim provided show-stopping moments for us all to enjoy well into the future.

[audience applauding] ♪ There's a place for us ♪ ♪ Somewhere a place for us ♪ ♪ Peace and quiet and open air ♪ ♪ Wait for us somewhere ♪ ♪ There's a time for us ♪ ♪ Someday a time for us ♪ ♪ Time together and time to spare ♪ ♪ Time to look, time to care ♪ ♪ Someday, somewhere ♪ ♪ We'll find a new way of living ♪ ♪ We'll find a way of forgiving ♪ ♪ Somewhere ♪ ♪ There's a place for us ♪ ♪ A time and place for us ♪ ♪ Hold my hand and we're halfway there ♪ ♪ Hold my hand and I'll take you there ♪ ♪ Somehow ♪ ♪ Someday ♪ ♪ Somewhere ♪ ♪ We'll find a new way of living ♪ ♪ We'll find a way of forgiving ♪ ♪ Somewhere ♪ ♪ There's a place for us ♪ ♪ A time and place for us ♪ ♪ Hold my hand and we're halfway there ♪ ♪ Hold my hand and I'll take you there ♪ ♪ Somehow ♪ ♪ Someday ♪ ♪ Somewhere ♪ [audience applauding] ♪ Somebody hold me too close ♪ ♪ Somebody hurt me too deep ♪ ♪ Somebody sit in my chair ♪ ♪ And ruin my sleep, and make me aware ♪ ♪ Of being alive, being alive ♪ ♪ Somebody need me too much ♪ ♪ Somebody know me too well ♪ ♪ Somebody pull me up short ♪ ♪ And put me through hell, and give me support ♪ ♪ For being alive, make me alive ♪ ♪ Make me alive ♪ ♪ Make me confused ♪ ♪ Mock me with praise ♪ ♪ Let me be used ♪ ♪ Vary my days ♪ ♪ But alone Is alone ♪ ♪ Not alive ♪ ♪ Somebody crowd me with love ♪ ♪ Somebody force me to care ♪ ♪ Somebody help me come through ♪ ♪ I'll always be there, as frightened as you ♪ ♪ To help us survive being alive ♪ ♪ Being alive ♪ ♪ Being alive ♪ [audience applauding] - Andrea McArdle.

♪ Sometimes people leave you ♪ ♪ Halfway through the wood ♪ ♪ Others may deceive you ♪ ♪ You decide whats good ♪ ♪ You decide alone ♪ ♪ But no one is alone ♪ ♪ People make mistakes ♪ ♪ Fathers, mothers, people make mistakes ♪ ♪ Holding to their own ♪ ♪ Thinking they're alone ♪ ♪ Honor their mistakes everybody makes ♪ ♪ One another's terrible mistakes ♪ ♪ Witches can be right ♪ ♪ Giants can be good ♪ ♪ You decide what's right ♪ ♪ You decide what's good ♪ ♪ Just remember ♪ ♪ Just remember ♪ ♪ Someone is on your side ♪ ♪ Someone is on your side ♪ ♪ Someone else is not ♪ ♪ Someone else is not ♪ ♪ While you're seeing your side ♪ ♪ Our side ♪ ♪ Maybe you forgot ♪ ♪ They are not alone ♪ ♪ No one is alone ♪ ♪ Hard to see the light now ♪ ♪ Hard to see the light now ♪ ♪ Just don't let it go ♪ ♪ Just don't let it go ♪ ♪ Things will turn out right now ♪ ♪ We can make it so ♪ ♪ Someone is on your side ♪ ♪ No one is alone ♪ [audience applauding] ♪ Isn't it rich ♪ ♪ Are we a pair ♪ ♪ Me here at last on the ground ♪ ♪ You in mid-air ♪ ♪ Send in the clowns ♪ ♪ Isn't it bliss ♪ ♪ Don't you approve ♪ ♪ One who keeps tearing around ♪ ♪ One who can't move ♪ ♪ And where are the clowns ♪ ♪ Send in the clowns ♪ ♪ Just when I stopped ♪ ♪ Opening doors ♪ ♪ Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours ♪ ♪ Making my entrance again with my usual flair ♪ ♪ Sure of my lines ♪ ♪ No one is there ♪ ♪ Don't you love farce ♪ ♪ My fault, I fear ♪ ♪ I thought that you'd want what I want ♪ ♪ Sorry, my dear ♪ ♪ And where are the clowns ♪ ♪ Quick, send in the clowns ♪ ♪ Don't bother, they're here ♪ ♪ Isn't it rich ♪ ♪ Isn't it queer ♪ ♪ Losing my timing this late ♪ ♪ In my career ♪ ♪ And where are the clowns ♪ ♪ There ought to be clowns ♪ ♪ Well, maybe next year ♪ [audience cheering] - Thank you.

- We hope you have enjoyed this walk through the show-stopping moments taken from "The American Songbook at NJPAC".

From all of us involved in this series, thank you for watching.

Here is one more song.

Brian Stokes Mitchell once again reminding us of why we can have reason to find optimism amid the troubles of any day.

[audience applauding] ♪ I see trees of green, red roses too ♪ ♪ I see them bloom for me and for you ♪ ♪ And I think to myself ♪ ♪ What a wonderful world ♪ ♪ I see skies of blue and clouds of white ♪ ♪ Bright blessed day, the dark sacred night ♪ ♪ And I think to myself ♪ ♪ What a wonderful world ♪ ♪ The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky ♪ ♪ Are also on the faces of the people going by ♪ ♪ I see friends shaking hands ♪ ♪ Saying, how do you do ♪ ♪ They're really saying, I love you ♪ ♪ I hear babies cry, I watch them grow ♪ ♪ They'll learn much more than I'll ever know ♪ ♪ And I think to myself ♪ ♪ What a wonderful world ♪ ♪ The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky ♪ ♪ Are also on the faces of the people passing by ♪ ♪ I see friends shaking hands ♪ ♪ Saying, how do you do ♪ ♪ They're really saying, I love you ♪ ♪ I hear babies cry, I watch them grow ♪ ♪ They'll learn much more thank I'll ever, ever know ♪ ♪ And I think to myself ♪ ♪ What a wonderful world ♪ ♪ And I think to myself ♪ ♪ What a wonderful world ♪ [audience cheering] - [Announcer] The "American Songbook Series at NJPAC" is presented through the generous support of the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, the David S. Steiner and Sylvia Steiner Charitable Trust, the Joan and Allen Bildner Family Fund, and The Smart Family Foundation, David S. Stone Esquire, Stone and Magnanini.

♪ Smiling as you watch the theater filling ♪ ♪ And there's your billing up there in lights ♪ ♪ There's no people like show people ♪ ♪ They smile when they are low ♪ ♪ Yesterday they told you, you would not go far ♪ ♪ That night you opened and there you are ♪ ♪ Next day on your dressing room they've hung a star ♪ ♪ Let's go on with the show ♪ ♪ Let's go on with the show ♪ [audience cheering]