The Livingston Public Library invites you to join us virtually on Zoom for our Janaury Senior Happening where Susan Speidel and Joe Regan will present "Jewish Composers on Broadway."  From Irving Berlin to Jerry Herman, and from George Gershwin to Stephen Sondheim, Jewish composers have played a unique role in the development of the American Musical Theater.  This tune-filled hour, presented by singer Susan Speidel and accompanist Joseph Regan, will explore that history and will feature favorites tunes like "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Fascinating Rhythm," and "Sunrise, Sunset," along with lesser-known songs from shows like The Rothschilds, Milk and Honey, and The Grand Tour.

Susan Speidel served as the Director of Education for Papermill Playhouse, where she oversaw the operations of the Theater School and created the Rising Star Awards, the Summer Musical Theatre Training program, and the Adopt-A-School Project, which was cited for excellence by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She is a three-time Perry Award nominee and the recipient of numerous MSU Theatre Night Awards, the NJ Governor’s Award for Theatre Education, and the NJ Theatre Alliance’s Applause Award.  She was recently inducted into the NJACT Hall of Fame for her contributions to theatre and arts education.

Joe Regan is a fixture on the cabaret scene, appearing in piano bars, on international river cruises and at various resorts.  He performs regularly at Don’t Tell Mama in NYC and 16 Prospect in Westfield and can also be seen online on Virtual Piano Bar.  He has been nominated numerous times as Outstanding Piano Bar Instrumentalist by the Manhattan Association of Cabaret.  He is also a teaching artist for the Performing Arts School at The MAYO Performing Arts Center in Morristown.

Registration is required for Senior Happening. Livingston residents will be given first preference to register, beginning January 3rd. The Zoom information will be emailed to registered attendees at 12pm on Friday, Janaury 21st. 

Senior Happening is made possible in part by funds from the Essex County Division of Cultural Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and through the support from the Friends of the Livingston Library.