STARRING BOBBY UNDERWOOD AND ZALMEN MLOTEK
THANK YOU TOM LEHRER
Thank You Tom Lehrer is a concert tour celebrating the wit and brilliance of legendary satirist Tom Lehrer. Bobby Underwood, known for his engaging stage presence, brings Lehrer’s sharp, clever lyrics to life, while Zalmen Mlotek, a renowned conductor and pianist, provides expert musical accompaniment.
The program includes Lehrer favorites like “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park,” "The Elements", and "We Will All Go Together”, offering a lively and nostalgic journey through his most iconic songs. Each performance aims to showcase Lehrer’s unique blend of satire, intellect, and musical talent, inviting audiences old and new to experience his timeless humor.
Thank You Tom Lehrer is both a tribute and a revival, reminding us of Lehrer’s enduring impact on comedy and song. It promises an evening of laughter, clever commentary, and joyful music that celebrates a singular voice in American satire.
About Tom Lehrer
​Tom Lehrer is an American singer-songwriter, satirist, and mathematician known for his darkly comedic songs that lampoon politics, society, and culture. He is best known for his razor-sharp humor and brilliantly subversive lyrics. Lehrer gained fame in the 1950s and ’60s with songs like Poisoning Pigeons in the Park, The Elements, and We Will All Go Together When We Go. His unique blend of satire, social commentary, and musical talent has inspired generations of artists, and his work remains as relevant—and hilarious—as ever.Though he retired from performing decades ago, his work continues to be celebrated and shared by fans around the world.
Reviews of Thank You Tom Lehrer, December 28-29 City Winery, NYC
Budd Mishkin
WINS Radio, NY
“I love the music of Tom Lehrer. His songs continue to make me laugh after ten thousand listens. The album "That Was The Year That Was" was required listening in my home growing up. The song "MLF Lullaby" contains the funniest line ever uttered in the English language. So I eagerly anticipated seeing "Thank You Tom Lehrer" featuring Bobby Underwood and Zalmen Mlotek at City Winery. And it exceeded my expectations. The musicianship and the patter were terrific. And the respect and love for Tom Lehrer and his music was absolutely genuine. One of Tom Lehrer's albums is entitled "An Evening Wasted With Tom Lehrer." This is anything but. Bravo Bobby and Zalmen.”
James Beaman
Veteran Actor and Cabaret Performer
"Terrific show, smartly crafted and perfectly delivered. With insouciant charm, dry wit and his bright tenor, Bobby Underwood nails the Lehrer oeuvre, ably seconded by wonderful Zalmen Mlotek at the piano."
Broadway World
​"Bobby’s flair for comedy through straightface and minimalism, he executed Tom Lehrer’s material to a T. No punches were pulled with Tom’s jokes, which made them all the more so effective...Zalmen Mlotek masterfully played through all of Tom’s repertoire on the piano, from “Pollution”, to “The Vatican Rag”, even participating vocally with Bobby at times...What truly made the show special was the human connection surrounding the entire work...Bobby and Zalmen breeze through all this material with such enthusiasm and gusto you can’t help but smile.
(To read the whole review click here.)
Theatre Pizzazz
At the piano, MD Zalman Mlotek is precise, expressive, and contributes an occasional jaunty vocal. Underwood is talented, personable, and excellent with ersatz foreign accents...songs are great, all are insightful, articulate, and droll. The evening is a hoot.
​(Read the full article here.)
Mission
Bobby Underwood is an actor, comedian, and lifelong Tom Lehrer fan. He first met and bonded with Zalmen Mlotek over their mutual adoration of Lehrer while working on the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene’s production of Amerike - The Golden Land. They subsequently worked together in the Folksbiene’s productions of The Sorceress and the long running, Drama Desk Award-winning production of Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish directed by Joel Grey. www.underwoodbobby.com
Vision
Zalmen Mlotek, Artistic Director of the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, is widely regarded as a leading authority in Yiddish folk, theater and art song. He has been a devoted fan of Tom Lehrer since his childhood, when family gatherings would culminate and a joyous sing-along of Lehrer's hilarious, satirical and deeply relatable repertoire. Mlotek's life has been intertwined with the revival of Yiddish culture in the post Holocaust generations. He co-created and produced the first Yiddish musical on Broadway, Those Were the Days, which received two Tony nominations. As Artistic Director of the National Yiddish Theater he has overseen 20 years of musical theater productions which have received multiple Drama Desk nominations and several awards. He was the initiator of the widely acclaimed Yiddish production of Fiddler On the Roof directed by Joel Grey. Mlotek is delighted to celebrate the birthday and legacy of a songwriter he has admired for most of his life - Tom Lehrer.
