God Bless America: The Music of Irving Berlin! feat. Kenita Miller, Quentin Earl Darrington, and more!
July 5, 2018
Jerome Kern once said, “Irving Berlin has no place in American music. He IS American music!” And no one less than Isaac Stern said, “America’s music was born at his piano.” From “Alexander’s Ragtime Band’ to “White Christmas,” and from “Always” to “Easter Parade,” Berlin also had his finger on the pulse of the nation.
At Feinstein’s/54 Below we will honor what’s best in America — our people, our talent, our generosity, our spirit — and all of it in the extraordinary music of Mr. Berlin. It was Berlin who desegregated Broadway when he hired Ethel Waters to star in the first mixed race show — his show, in his theater – in 1933. It was Irving Berlin who stood tall in the late 1930’s to rally America with “God Bless America” as storm clouds gathered over Europe. And it was Irving Berlin who took the famous words written on The Statue of Liberty and wrote a stirring song about what America means to the world!
Will this be a patriotic show at Feinstein’s/54 Below? Yes, in the most encompassing and embracing way possible. Will this be an entertaining show? Of course it will; As Jerome Kern also said, “I don’t know anyone who sits down to write a hit song except Irving Berlin; he can’t help writing hits!” And will this show celebrate the July 4th holiday spirit? Well, when it comes to Irving Berlin and holiday songs, Oscar Hammerstein II said, “You can’t have a holiday without his permission.”
NYC impresario, Scott Siegel, will assemble an extraordinary cast of Broadway and nightclub stars to celebrate America through the music of Irving Berlin. Siegel has created more than 300 major concerts throughout the world, including writing, directing and producing concerts for Michael Feinstein. He is, perhaps, best known as the creator, writer, director, and host of Town Hall’s signature series, Broadway by the Year.
Come join us and celebrate Irving Berlin’s — and your – America!
Special Guest Star
Kenita Miller (3X Drama Desk Nominee, starring now on Broadway in Once On This Island)
Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime, Cats, Once On This Island)
And Featuring:
Sarah Bishop
Jeanine Bruen (Christine in the New York premiere of VOX LUMIERE’S Phantom of the Opera)
Ben Chavez (Marry Harry, Bombshell in Concert at Minskoff Theatre)
Emily Iaquinta
Lauren Kolas (Cry-Baby, Pippin)
Megan Lione
Liesel Lotte (Let There Be Light)
Philippa Lynas (Soloist – UK National Symphony Orchestra, Mamma Mia!)
Bridget Ori
Jacob Pressley (Bobby Strong in Urinetown at Broadway Performance Hall in Seattle)
Clara Regula
Brooke Wetterhahn
