The Sinatra Century: 54 Below
The Sinatra Century
54 Below, NYC, January 8, 2015
Reviewed by Ron Forman for Cabaret Scenes
The celebration of the centennial year, 2015, of Frank Sinatra began in a very entertaining way with Scott Siegel’s The Sinatra Century. Siegel brought together eight talented vocalists to perform songs associated with The Chairman of the Board. As is his wont, Siegel provided interesting and often very funny anecdotes before each song was performed.
Appropriately, the opening number performed by Zak Resnick was “Come Fly with Me.” Jeff Harnar sang three hilarious Sammy Cahn parodies before his straight “All the Way.” Siegel’s tale of Sinatra asking a shoeshine man what his biggest tip was, doubling it, only to find that his own $100 tip had been the biggest, had the audience in stitches. Stacy Sullivan’s beautifully performed “I’ve Got A Crush on You” was supported nicely by Ian Herman’s piano solo interlude. Maxine Linehan’s history as an Irish immigrant coming to the USA made her “The House I Live In” especially moving. Scott Coulter reminded us that prior to Sinatra’s 1954 recording, “My Funny Valentine” had been just another song in the score of Babes in Arms. Comic actor Richard Kind proved equally adept at producing laughter musically with “Young at Heart.” Carole J. Bufford closed the show with a bombastic “Birth of the Blues.”
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews
