SAM THE MAN
Music lovers showed off their “Cahn” do side as they gathered downtown for the annual Salon at the Taper. The legendary music of Sammy Cahn was featured as part of this year’s celebration. Every year, Center Theater Group creates an intimate salon that pays tribute to the greatest lyricists and composers of American musical theater and popular song.
The late Cahn joins an impressive list of past honorees, which includes the likes of Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and Oscar Hammerstein.
In keeping with tradition, famed song-and-dance man Michael Feinstein wowed the crowd with sparkling musical insights and anecdotes. One look around and it was clear that Cahn devotees are as diverse as his music. Fans in the audience and performers on stage included everyone from actor Tony Danza to LAPD Chief William Bratton.
Keely Smith helped kick things off with “It’s Magic.” Smith was followed by crooners Barry Manilow, Jack Jones and Marilyn McCoo, who feted Cahn enthusiasts with “Call Me Irresponsible,” “Love and Marriage,” “My Kind of Town” and “The Second Time Around.”
Even Robert De Niro got in the act. The Oscar-winning actor introduced a film clip of Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster at the 1958 Academy Awards performing Cahn’s “It’s Great Not to be Nominated.”
Cahn was an inviting kind of guy. Along with collaborators like Saul Chaplin, Jules Styne and Jimmy Van Heusen, he urged the world to “Come Fly With Me,” “Come Dance With Me,” and “Come Blow Your Horn.” Lovers and romantics rejoiced and followed sentimental Sammy “All the Way.”
As far as CTG artistic director Gordon Davidson is concerned, Cahn gave generations something to sing about. “He was an original,” Davidson said. “Sammy Cahn exemplified 20th Century American music.”
Following the stellar performance, the Sammy celebration continued with champagne and sweets.
A SHORE THING
Malibuites had it made in the shade last Saturday as they gathered at a fab Cliffside pad for the 7th annual “Cure by the Shore.” There were sunglasses galore as well as dazzling baubles, sensational scents and must-have beauty products all offered at a designer discount. Every year, the Entertainment Industry Foundation and QVC put on a beachside bash to benefit the National MS Society and the Nancy Davis Foundation.
Jane Seymour, Frances Fisher, Brittany Murphy, Teri Garr and Tom Arnold were just a few of the famous friends on board. “Young and the Restless” vet Don Diamont emceed the festivities which were broadcast live on QVC.