The seventh season of Stephen C. Widom Cultural Arts at Emanuel continues on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 3 p.m., with An Afternoon with Sarge.
Sarge is an extraordinary entertainer, a triple threat, a musical piano savant, and an amazing improvisational comedian and singer. He was born in Miami Beach during the Civil Rights Movement to a Jewish mother and black father, but was given up for adoption soon after birth. Fortunately, he was adopted by a couple that raised him in Great Neck.
Sarge was raised by his parents in a middle to upper middle class environment, attending the best prep schools in the region. All the while, he lived with some sense of confusion because his adopted parents raised him in a Jewish household without much exposure to his black heritage.
This led to some internal conflict as a child and young adult — feelings he tried to numb with alcohol, drugs and gambling. He spent part of his young adult life as a homeless man, severely addicted to several vices, and copping drugs at his hangout under the Manhattan Bridge in New York City.
With a wealth of talent unrealized, on Dec. 26, 1990, he had an epiphany that would change his life forever. As strange as it may sound, on that day he made a decision to commit himself to sobriety — cold turkey — and never looked back. Sarge has been clean and sober since then, and he has dedicated himself to assisting others who are facing the same battle.
Sarge’s road to success has not been smoothly paved. It is a story that he tells in his soon-to-be released book, “I’m Still Standing Up,” that traces his hilarious, inspirational life of twists and turns, ups and downs. We begin to understand the pathos from which he emerged to work on some of the biggest stages in show business.
From Radio City Music Hall to Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game to entertaining our nation’s troops in Iraq, Sarge is one of the highest energy, multi-talented acts in show business today.
Not only a hysterical stand-up comedian, he sings in his own voice and in a dozen others including Harry Connick Jr., Sammy Davis Jr., Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder. Additionally, his dead on impressions of Marv Albert, Mike Tyson, Kermit the Frog and Gilbert Gottfried leave audiences howling and clamoring for more.
Tickets are $20 or two for $35. For further information about subscription discounts and to purchase tickets, call 516-482-5701.
Temple Emanuel of Great Neck is located at 150 Hicks Lane in Great Neck.
