Director Shari Upbin and producer Hy Juter teamed up for the fourth time in creating “To Life 4”, the fourth in the ‘To Life’ musical cabaret series that celebrates Jewish composers and singers from the 20th century that is running now through February 4 at the Willow Theater in Boca Raton.
“To Life 4” will feature both new salutes to contemporary Jewish composers and singers in addition to paying tribute to past Jewish composers from past “To Life” shows. The new composers and singers being honored in “To Life 4” are The Barry Sisters, Mel Brooks, Neil Diamond and Bette Midler. Composers who will be saluted again from past “To Life” shows are Betty Comden, Dorothy Fields, Marvin Hamlisch and Jerry Herman.
“Since the original show ‘To Life’ was created in 2019 that featured the music from Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein and others, both Hy (Juter) and I wanted to continue the success we had of three sold out runs at the Willow. By bringing back some of the music from the most beloved Jewish composers in addition to adding music from contemporary Jewish performers, we will continue to both educate and entertain audiences to timeless songs that will forever endure,” said Upbin, who will be on stage as both the narrator and one of the cast of five singers in “To Life 4”.
Rounding out the cast of five singers along with Upbrin will be singers Jinon Deeb, Shelley Keelor, Ben Sandomir and Shane Tanner. Pianist Elliot Weiss, who accompanies the singers, is also the musical director in “To Life 4”.
Among the more than 25 songs expected to be featured in the 90 minute cabaret will be songs from the musical “A Chorus Line” (written by Hamlisch), music from musicals “On The Town” and “Singing In The Rain” (composed by Comden), songs from musicals “Annie Get Your Gun”, “Redhead” and “Sweet Charity” (composed by Fields), songs from the musical “Fiddler On The Roof” (composed by Harnick), songs from “Hello Dolly” and “Mame” (written by Herman), songs from “The Producers’ (written by Brooks), the songs “America” and “Sweet Caroline’ (sung and written by Diamond) and “From A Distance” and “Wind Beneath My Wings” (performed by Midler).
Upbin, whose father was a writer for comedian Jack Benny, has directed shows both in New York and South Florida for more than 40 years. She has directed many memorable shows in Boca Raton involving Jewish themes in comedies and dramas including “Confessions of a Jewish Shiksa”, “Dancing On Hitler’s Grave”, “From Door to Door”, and “Women’s Minyan”.
Deeb graduated recently from Florida Atlantic University and has worked as a voice over actor in cartoon shows on the streaming service HBO Max. Keelor is known for her many roles both as an actress and singer based in South Florida for many years. She was recently seen in “Disenchanted” at the Kravis Center and has performed as a singer with orchestras throughout Florida.
Sandomir recently performed earlier this year as the lead character in the musical “Bye Bye Birdie” at the Wick Theater and in prominent roles in “Next To Normal’ for Zoetic Stage and “What A Wonderful World” for Miami New Drama.
Tanner is a veteran actor performing in South Florida regional theaters for over 30 years. His credits include lead roles in “Spamalot” at Actors Playhouse, “Big Fish” and “Violet” at Slow Burn Theater and “Assassins” at Zoetic Stage among numerous other roles.
“To Life 4” is a musical cabaret show saluting Jewish composers and performers being performed now through Sunday, February 4 at Willow Theater, 300 S. Military Trail in Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at sugarstandpark.org or by calling 561-347-3948.
