Official Buddy Bregman Website - Bing Swings Whilst Bregman Swings Show

Bing Sings Whilst Bregman Swings Show

A CENTENNIAL SHOW FEATURING BING CROSBY'S VERY OWN GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK CONTAINING HIS VIEW OF AMERICA'S WAY OF LIFE THROUGH HIS MUSIC

Written, Produced, Directed and Musical Arrangements
by
BUDDY BREGMAN

Starring:
Buddy Bregman
Eric Michael Gillett -- Alicia Irving
Cleve Douglass -- Barbara Porteus
Adam James -- Ritt Henn
Rich Siegel

February 5, 2003

A Firebird Presentation of a Bregman Entertainment Group/ Downey Associates Production

Held at The Firebird Supper Club on 46th St.

Review by Cabaret Reporter Marsha Plitteris

New Yorkers are so lucky to live minutes from the hottest shows on earth and Saturday night my good fortune was found at the Firebird Supper Club on 46th Street in Manhattan!

This night, "Bing Sings Whilst Bregman Swings" was the performance to see, featuring legendary producer/composer/conductor Buddy Bregman and starring Eric Michael Gillett, Alicia Irving, Cleve Douglass and Barbara Porteus, with Rich Siegel at the piano, Ritt Henn on bass and Adam James on drums (the musicians join on vocals as well).

Buddy Bregman wrote this show, and he is also the narrator and the conductor.

With his soft-spoken voice, he entertained us with personal stories of his experiences with the Crosby family and his deep admiration for a real American Idol.

The show opened with a medley of Mr. Crosby's popular songs and Mr. Bregman incorporated audio interviews and quips from Mr. Crosby's career that he interspersed throughout the song tributes.

It was wonderful hearing the taped interviews of the voice that is so distinctively Bing.

The ensemble cast were superb. There wasn't just one shining star, they all blazed brightly and in perfect harmony.

I particularly enjoyed "Accentuate The Positive" sung by Cleve Douglass. He brought a unique energy to this oldie but goodie. Ritt Henn and Adam James were hilarious singing "Put it There", a routine once done by Bob Hope and Bing Crosby for one of the "Road" movies.

Ritt and Adam were perfectly silly enjoying this song much like their predecessors had so many years ago. Later, Mr. Henn sung "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" to his bass, the crowd roared!

The highlight of the night was when Mrs. Crosby (Kathryn Grant) was introduced. And yes, she is still a knockout. It was a treat seeing her looking so happy and well. Eric Michael Gillett sang "Love is Better the Second Time Around", a tribute to Bing and Kathryn's love. Mr. Gillett's powerful voice was filled with beautiful emotion and the audience responded loudly. The room was alive with warm wonderful sights and sounds.

"Bing Sings Whilst Bregman Swings" is a time slice of beauty gift-wrapped in 90 minutes. Mr. Bregman escorted the audience through a remembrance of a different time, a simpler time, a time when a beautiful song could shake away the blues. I left the Firebird Supper Club that night with a skip in my step and a whistle on my lips.

Buddy with cast members Alicia Irving, Adam James, Rich Siegel (piano player), Eric Michael Gillett, Cleve Douglas, Ritt Henn (bass player) and Barbara Porteus.