Lin-Manuel Miranda ("In The Heights") opened the new season of Lincoln Center's American Songbook, with a preview of songs from his new work "The Hamilton Mixtape". Guests included Gavin Creel, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Shockwave, and members of the "In The Heights" company.

American Songbook 2012 continued with "An Idea of South", a musical collection of songs relating to the southern US in all its diversity. Joining Michael Cerveris were guests Laura Cantrell, Paul Sanchez, and a crack band of New York and New Orleans musicians (Shamarr Allen, Debbie Davis, Alex McMurray, Jonathan Batiste, and more).

The American Songbook series continued with the Lincoln Center debut of Merrill Garbus (aka tUnE-yArDs), with a set of original songs built around looping drums and vocals plus her crack band. Fans were not disappointed as she played the favorites ("Bizness", "You Yes You", etc) and new songs, follwed by an impromptu rally in Columbus Circle after the snow.

Fresh from her star turn in "Follies", British musical icon Elaine Paige made her New York concert debut as part of Lincoln Center's American Songbook series. As expected, the musical tour of her life made stops with songs from her classic roles: "Cats", "Evita", "Sunset Blvd", and more.