Michael Childers presented his annual on April 23rd. The theme was the Traditional Legacy of Broadway as written by so many Jewish Composers, producers and writers. The Jewish men and women took Broadway to new heights with their talents. Some of the shows they produced lasted for years on Broadway and their songs are still sung today. Each song brings a nostalgic moment in time and came from long standing Broadway shows or movies.
Over 25 selected Broadway Stars performed these timeless songs. Jim Brochu was the first to perform with the song, If I Were a Rich Man. Billy Stritch sang a medley of Tin Pan Alley, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, and Jeffrey Scott Parson sang, Oh How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning. Sharon McNight sang the bawdy song, Last of the Red Hot Mamas and Chrisinte Andreas sang, Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. Brian Childers sang, Minnie the Moocher, and Vicki Lewis sang, West End Avenue. Alix Korey and Janene Lovullo sang ;The Grass is Always Greener, and Debra Monk sang, Everybody’s Girl.
Our own local Peter Marshall sang; Song on the Sand and Von Smith sang, Some where. Liz Callaway has performed before and did, The Story Goes On, and Donna McKechnie sang, The Music & The Mirror. There was an intermission and as soon as the audience was seated Charles Busch brought Kaye Ballard to the stage to honor her with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Other performers were Millicent Martin; I Never Do Anything Twice, with Roger Bart, The Brain, and Dee Hoty; No Man Left for Me, and Shana Blake Hill sang, Children of the Wind.
Kevin Earley sang; I thought That I Could Live That Way, and then comedian Bruce Vilance came to tell a few jokes and sing, You Won’t Succeed On Broadway. Sal Mistretta has also performed before and sang, In My Own Lifetime. Teri White sang, Fifty Percent. Julia Murney sang. They Just Keep Moving the Line. Mimi Hines made several appearances on stage before she sang, The Music That Makes Me Dance, and then the entire cast came on stage to sing Sunrise Sunset, from Fiddler on the Roof, as the finale.
Jewish Family services of the Desert were the beneficiaries of the show. Michael Childers was the producer with honorary co-chairs, Annette Bloch, Helene Galen, Barbara Keller and Harold Matzner. Event co-chairs were Barbara Fromm and Terri Ketover. The show was written by Calvin Remsberg and John McDaniel was the Music Director and did the Orchestrations. Ken Katz was the Executive Producer. Jewish Family Services provided assistance to over 5000 people last year with its many programs and counseling.
