The Music of George Gershwin, Irving Berlin & Kermit the Frog!
It’s my fantasy, a one-woman show (accompanied by piano and upright bass, of course):
“Judy Chamberlain sings the hits of George Gerswin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin & Kermit the Frog”
Hmmm…and maybe Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, Harry Warren & Kurt Weill.
Yes, definitely.
Actually, performing this music is not a fantasy — because it’s what I do.
Calling it a “One Woman Show” is though, and I’m ready for the challenge.
Because it’s time to do just that. The intimacy of this music is an extraordinary element. This is music that can make us laugh and cry for all the dreams left undone, all the people who left us too soon… and remember all the blessings that we do have in our lives. Our partners, families, friends and children.
And the music.
I like performing this music best in a salon setting, where I can focus my attention on the audience.
We kick off in high gear with songs like “Swanee,” “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” and the fine Harold Arlen paon to Winston Churchill, “My Shining Hour.”
Midway through the evening, a Kermit song — sung very sparely and not always in green face paint, either. My favorite is The Rainbow Connection.”
I mean, who doesn’t love Kermit?
A little Cole Porter, a sentimental Harry Warren tune like “This Heart Of Mine” and maybe some Ellington. Songs that take you back to a happier time, a time when you were young or hadn’t even been born yet but just know you would have loved.
“Prelude To A Kiss.” “Take The A-Train.”
And then it’s time for some sweet, sad music. Music to recall a lost love, the story that didn’t have a happy ending. The remembrance of pain and longing we thought we’d gotten over.
It’s killer stuff.
It tugs at your heart strings. It takes guts to listen to sad songs, but they are so good for the soul.
Songs like:
“The Man That Got Away.”
“It Never Was You”
“Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.”
To sleep, perchance to dream…..