Traveled to Cleveland  this  weekend to  see the  KeyBank  Broadway Series production  of "Sister Act".  Most  people  are  familiar  with the story  because  of the  movie  which starred  Whoopie Goldberg.  The stage production  is a real gem!  Tackles the struggle between finding strong friendships versus temporary riches and fame. While stuck in a Catholic  convent  under  a   witness   protection   program,  the   lead character  learns  what it  means  to be  surrrounded by a  family  that loves and supports them.  The comedy  both spoken and in the music itself is simply wonderful!  Poignant songs like  "The Life I Never Led" and the title  song "Sister Act" act as strong emotional numbers which pulls  at  the  audience  heart strings.  In two words...LOVED IT!!!  I've seen alot of Broadway Shows the last 5 years...I'd rank this one, top 5.

Most of us remember the  70s and early  80s sitcom "Barney Miller" starring Hal Linden, but most folks don't realize that Linden was a Broadway performer prior to his TV years. Last Thursday night, I enjoyed Mr. Linden as he walked us back through his stage and screen career  at the Adventura  Arts and Cultural Center, just north of Miami, Florida.  Linden was  backed by a great 7 piece band, which featured   trumpet,  trombone,  clarinet   and  the  usual  rhythm  section.  What followed  was a  night of  jazz,  dixieland,  and  songs  from  Linden's  Broadway catalog. Soon to be  83 in  March, Hal Linden  shows  no signs of slowing  down. His vocals  are  still  strong  and  his  gif t of  gab  carries  him  well  through  the evening.

Had the pleasure of seeing one of the great male vocalists of all time last Wednesday night, the incomparable  Tony Bennett. Backed with just a  simple  four  piece  jazz  band,  Bennett  recreated  the  many magical moments of his some 50 years in the music business. Great classics like, "The Shadow of Your Smile" and "San Francisco" were done in Tony's warm, laid-back style. Now at 86 years young, Bennett seemed to be in no mood to move over for the youngsters. His voice was   strong  and  he   was  in  total   command  of   the  90   minute performance. I was  taking notes  on  his  presentation  and  delivery, knowing full  well that  I could  learn  some  things  from  the  master.