Oscar Hammerstein II Oscar Hammerstein II Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II (; July 12, 1895 – August 23, 1960) was an American librettist, theatrical producer, and (usually uncredited) theatre director of musicals for almost forty years. Hammerstein won eight Tony Awards and two Academy Awards for Best Original Song. Many of his songs are standard repertoire for vocalists and jazz musicians. He co-wrote 850 songs. Hammerstein was the lyricist and playwright in his partnerships; his collaborators wrote the music. Hammerstein collaborated with numerous composers, such as Jerome Kern, with whom he wrote "Show Boat", Vincent Youmans, Rudolf Friml, Richard A. Whiting and Sigmund
James Hammerstein Richard Rodgers. The first play he produced was "Blue Denim", by James Leo Herlihy and William Noble, and the first play he directed was the comedy "Absence of a Cello" in 1964. The "New York Times" wrote: "James Hammerstein has staged the piece with a great deal of verve." His other directing credits include "The Indian Wants the Bronx", "Wise Child" and "Butley". Hammerstein directed the New York City Opera production of "The Sound of Music" in 1990. He co-directed the Rodgers and Hammerstein stage musical "State Fair" in 1996. Among the other Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals he directed were