Broadway Babe’s Picks: Sammy Davis & Jerry Lewis, Bernadette Peters, Improv and More

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Our Broadway Babe, Randie Levine-Miller, has come up with some true nostalgic treasures:  Sammy Davis, Jr. and Jerry Lewis in Vegas; a great Bernadette Peters concert in London; an incredible comedy show saluting “The Improv” starring Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Robert Klein; and a vintage “What’s My Line” TV show with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward as the mystery guests!


The HBO Comedy Hour– An All-Star Toast to the Improv

From 1988, starring: Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Robert Klein, Richard Lewis, Martin Mull and Paul Rodriquez… They don’t make ’em like this anymore. These legendary comic geniuses “killed” that night. They had a live audience in the packed house paying homage to the legendary Improv Club and to founder/proprietor Budd Friedman, who gave them their start in the business, as well as many others who went on to become major stars in the entertainment business.  This special is a true treat and you’ll witness how comedy is done by the best of the best!


Sammy Davis, Jr. & Jerry Lewis: Live at Bally’s

A true treasure of a find starring two of the greatest, dynamic and most amazing entertainers of the twentieth century! These two were true masters of musical and comedy performance. In this video, they sing, dance, and do “schtick” and their camaraderie is infectious. They perform individually, as well as together in this great show. These were consummate entertainers, amongst the last of a special breed.  They poured their hearts and souls into every show they did. Sadly, this was the last show Sammy did in Vegas. I believe Sammy Davis, Jr. was arguably the greatest live entertainer ever!

 


Bernadette Peters in London

From 1998: A truly delicious concert with Bernadette Peters performing Live from Royal Festival Hall in London.  She sings the songs of Jerry Herman, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Richard Rogers, Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim. Bernadette (I feel correctly so) has been credited with being one of the foremost interpreters of Sondheim’s songs. She truly shines in this gem of a concert. She’s a diva who exudes sweetness (which is also her reputation on and off the stage) She delivers the goods and is in top form, as she holds the audience in the palms of her hands.  Truly a pro amongst pros, this is one of the best concerts and I highly recommend it.

Sidebar:  Bernadette has been performing since she was a young child.  We actually shared a singing teacher, Lola Bennett. when we were kids, over at Startime, which was in the same building where the theater is that David Letterman and now Stephen Colbert do their shows.  Her mother obviously pushed her more than my mother did, as she became the star she is, and I would up in the PR business!!





“What’s My Line” with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward

A trip down TV’s memory lane…. From 1959, “What’s My Line”, the panel game show which aired from 1950-1975 on CBS-TV on Sunday nights, with Host, John Charles Daley and panelists, Dorthy Kilgallen, Art Linkletter, Arlene Francis and Bennett Cerf.  The “mystery guests” that night were the young, dazzling and breathtaking couple — Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward!

 

 

Randie Levine Miller is Director of Special Events for The Three Tomatoes, and co-produces and hosts the annual Tomatoes Got Talent show. Known around NYC as a modern day “hostess with the mostess, she has performed in and hosted benefits for the Actors Fund, the Actors Temple, Multiple Sclerosis, and Prostate Cancer Research. Randie’s performance venues have included: The Triad, The Metropolitan Room, the Laurie Beechman Theater, and the Friars Club. For many years, she was special events director for the Drama Desk Awards. Randie also had a successful 30-year career as a public relations consultant and handled several major health and medical technology clients.

Randie Levine Miller

Randie Levine Miller is Director of Special Events for The Three Tomatoes, and co-produces and hosts the annual Tomatoes Got Talent show. Known around NYC as a modern day “hostess with the mostess, she has performed in and hosted benefits for the Actors Fund, the Actors Temple, Multiple Sclerosis, and Prostate Cancer Research. Randie’s performance venues have included: The Triad, The Metropolitan Room, the Laurie Beechman Theater, and the Friars Club. For many years, she was special events director for the Drama Desk Awards. Randie also had a successful 30-year career as a public relations consultant and handled several major health and medical technology clients.

2 Responses

  1. Ellen Easton says:

    Randie, you have done it again. More fabulous finds. LOVE seeing the award winning Goodson TODMAN vintage Whats My Line featuring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward!

  2. thanks a great afternoon of entertainment!!

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