Broadway and screen star Gillette to perform at Emanuel

The Island Now
Anita Gillette

The seventh season of Stephen C. Widom Cultural Arts at Emanuel continues on Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m. with “Me and Mr. B.,” starring Anita Gillette, accompanied by piano, bass, drums and New Orleans jazz trombone.

Known for her funny, off-beat and deliciously goofy performances on Broadway and off-Broadway stages, as well as television and movie screens, Gillette has added the cabaret stage to her list of artistic outlets.

Gillette’s “mastery of comedic timing and dramatic power” (Steketee, Theater Pizzazz) has been demonstrated in shows such as Broadway’s original 1959 “Gypsy” (as a replacement) and Neil Simon’s 1977 “Chapter Two”; off-Broadway’s John Guare 1976 work “Body Parts at the Public” and Dan LeFranc’s 2012 “The Big Meal”; and on screen as the delectable mistress Mona in the 1987 film “Moonstruck.”

Cast as the daughter in “Mr. President,” Berlin’s last Broadway production 55 years ago, Gillette uses her warm and friendly relationship with him as a backdrop for a 90-minute tribute to the man Jerome Kern said “is American music.” She delightfully intersperses funny stories about Berlin with his songs that America has sung for more than the 50 years.

When Gillette asked Berlin, “What kind of songs do you write?,” his response was, “Hits.” Gillette performs them, accompanied by a marvelous band.

Tickets are $20 or two for $35. For further information about subscription discounts and to purchase tickets, call 516-482-5701.

Temple Emanuel is located at 150 Hicks Lane in Great Neck.

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