Hamlisch writes in his bio that "there is a global nature to music, which has the potential to bring all people together." Joined by McVey, Hamlisch concluded the concert with "One Song," an anthem he wrote as proof of that message. Claiming that Levine rarely had an opportunity to conduct a piece by a composer who wasn't dead, Hamlisch invited Levine to conduct an overture to the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical "A Chorus Line." Hamlisch showed his generosity by turning over his baton to music director Joel Levine. So here's a medley of Academy Award losers, which includes one you might know: 'Nobody Does It Better,' a song I wrote for Carly Simon." The New York native also displayed his self-deprecating sense of humor: "My bio doesn't mention the six awards in a row that I lost. Hamlisch receives considerable royalties for his own hits, among them, "The Way We Were," "Ice Castles" and "Sophie's Choice." But which songs does he wish he had written? To illustrate, he worked "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Bewitched" and "Always" into an attractive medley. "I think we should call the restaurant and demand royalties," Hamlisch joked afterward. Armed with the seemingly innocuous titles "Always and Ever, Now and Forever" and "One Way Street," Hamlisch fashioned a perfectly acceptable ditty.īut the one that brought the house down was a jazzy rendition suggested by the title of a local diner, Ann's Chicken Fry. Noting that he often gets his musical inspiration from song titles, Hamlisch asks his audience to suggest titles and then composes tunes on the spot. No Hamlisch concert is complete without his "Rent a Composer" routine. Mark McVey, who is now singing the role of Jean Valjean in the Broadway production of "Les Miserables," joined Hamlisch for his character's big solo, the passionate "Bring Him Home." Much like Barbra Streisand owns "People" and Judy Garland "Over the Rainbow," Hamlisch said McVey performs the definitive version of "Bring Him Home." Few would argue with that sentiment after hearing his rich tenor resonate so vividly. He offered tributes to Richard Rodgers and Jerome Kern, each a medley of familiar tunes that, while nostalgic, had a contemporary sensibility as well.