Hammerstein

Hammerstein, name of 2 U.S. theatrical producers. Oscar Hammerstein (1846–1919) a German-born tobacco magnate who emigrated to the United States and became an opera impresario, opening theaters in New York, London, and Philadelphia. Oscar Hammerstein II (1895–1960), his grandson, became famous as a lyricist and producer of musical comedies in partnership with composers Richard Rodgers, Jerome Kern, and others. Among his successes were Oklahoma! (1943), Carousel (1945), South Pacific (1949), The King and I (1951) and The Sound of Music (1959).