PHILADELPHIA (AP) – A plan to convert Broadway lyricist Oscar Hammerstein’s former home into a tourist attraction appears to be falling on deaf ears, but his grandson hopes public officials will soon start singing a different tune.
Hammerstein spent 20 years at Highland Farm in suburban Philadelphia, where he co-wrote musical blockbusters such as “The King and I,” ”Oklahoma!” ”Carousel” and “South Pacific.”
Now, Will Hammerstein wants to transform the property into the Oscar Hammerstein II Music & Theatre Education Center. But Doylestown Township supervisors and neighbors object to the scale of the $20 million proposal, saying it’s too much development for the parcel. A zoning hearing will be held Jan. 12.
Oscar Hammerstein purchased Highland Farm in 1940, and it was there that he and Richard Rodgers formed their creative partnership, according to Hammerstein biographer Hugh Fordin. Though Hammerstein had a townhouse in New York, the farm became one of his favorite things – the place where he worked on “The Sound of Music” and every other production with Rodgers.
“This place was deeply important to him,” said Will Hammerstein.