Photo by Chris Line
The Freedom From Religion Foundation in the sixth installment of its unique monthly freethought concert series spotlights composers Richard and Mary Rodgers on Monday, Sept. 21!
“The Great American Freethought Songbook with Dan & Darcie” (approximately one hour in duration), presented before a live audience in Madison, Wis., will be live-streamed starting at 7 p.m. CDT on FFRF’s Facebook page, YouTube channel and Freethought TV, FFRF’s free streaming service for smart TVs and other devices. (It’s easy and free to download) The show will be available to watch afterward on YouTube and Freethought TV at your convenience.
The seven-month concert series celebrates major figures of the Great American Songbook and their secular viewpoints. September’s program highlights Richard and Mary Rodgers. Richard, with 43 Broadway musicals and over 900 songs to his credit, was one of the best-known American composers of the 20th century, and his work significantly influenced popular music. Rodgers was the first person to win all four of the top American entertainment awards in theater, film, recording, and television—an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony—now known collectively as an EGOT. He also won a Pulitzer Prize, making him the first person to receive all five awards. Richard’s first daughter, Mary, composed Once Upon a Mattress and wrote children’s books.
The show will feature performances of many of their best known works, accompanied by stories about their remarkable careers and freethinking philosophies.
The monthly series is hosted by FFRF Co-President Dan Barker, a veteran pianist and freethinker, alongside Madison vocalist Darcie Johnston. Through live performances and historical commentary, they examine the stories behind some of the nation’s most enduring songs while highlighting the secular and freethinking ideas that influenced many of their creators.
The upcoming concert finale will be on Monday, Nov. 9, featuring a medley of nonreligious 20th-century songwriters, including Jay Gorney, Burton Lane, Tom Lehrer, Frank Loesser, Thelonious Monk, Stephen Sondheim and Charles Strouse.
If you missed earlier installments, you may catch them now on YouTube or look for them in Freethought TV’s archive. If you live in the Madison area, you may RSVP at ffrf.us/RSVP-Concerts.
Celebrate the music, life & views of Richard and Mary Rodgers.
Monday, September 21, 2026 ( RSVP by Thursday, September 17 ) (Please only RSVP if you are able to attend in person)
Charlie Brooks Auditorium
Freethought Hall, Madison, Wis.
6:15 – 6:45 p.m. Refreshments served: Wine, non-alcoholic beverages, dessert.
6:45 – 6:50 Please be seated. (Concert is being video-recorded and live-streamed.)
7 – 8 Enjoy the performance with Dan Barker & Darcie Johnston.
RSVP by Thursday, September 17. Invite your family, friends and colleagues! (Please only RSVP if you are able to attend in person)
Watch the performance live by going to FFRF’s YouTube channel or Facebook page. It can also be viewed on Freethought TV, FFRF’s new streaming service for smart televisions and mobile devices. For installation instructions, go to freethoughttv.ffrf.org on your smart tv or cellphone.
Free street parking after 6 p.m. Close to Overture Center parking ramp, West Mifflin.
Mark your calendar for the concert series finale:
Monday, November 9 — Finale. Medley including Dorothy Fields, Jay Gorney, Burton Lane, Tom Lehrer, Frank Loesser, Thelonious Monk, Stephen Sondheim and Charles Strouse.
