[1] Launched by musical director Earl Wentz in 2000 with a tribute to Ray Henderson (composer of mega-hits “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries,” “Bye Bye Blackbird,” “Button Up Your Overcoat,” “The Birth of the Blues” and others) titled It’s the Cherries, the series has continued to add new shows to its repertoire at the rate of one or two per year.
As of 2009, the American Composer Series had created some 15 original revue tributes, many of them returning for multiple runs over the years.
Composers saluted in the series so far include Milton Ager, Harold Arlen, Nacio Herb Brown, Hoagy Carmichael, Sammy Fain, Ray Henderson, Victor Herbert, James V. Monaco, Richard Rodgers (who required three separate shows to include his vast catalogue), Jule Styne, and Harry Warren.
[4][5][6] Playing primarily in New York City, the American Composer Series has recently begun to branch out to other performance locations.
In 2007, it premiered Vampin’ Lady: The Music of Milton Ager in New Hope, Pennsylvania and announced plans to tour the production beginning in September, 2008, in association with Sixpence, Inc., producers of the Vampin’ Lady CD, featuring vocalist Joyce Moody with musical director Earl Wentz.