WWII & NYC: CONNECTING TIME & PLACE

New York, New York, a “helluva town” during WWII. The city witnessed three million soldiers and sailors passing through, waiting to be shipped out to an uncertain destiny. 

Nightclubs and theaters opened their doors to the droves of servicemen passing through. Broadway’s leading actors and actresses entertained servicemen at the Stage Door Canteen in Midtown. New Yorkers filled the theaters and the Times Square movie houses. They listened to songs that hailed American optimism at a time of national testing…and they listened to “slush songs”, sentimental songs of loss and loneliness. 

Charles R. Hale’s “WWII and NYC: Connecting Time and Place” recalls the electricity of the wartime home front, while recounting the significant role New York played in the national war effort. The show weaves the era’s vivid personalities, music and stories into an exciting tapestry of a city overcoming the greatest challenge of the twentieth century.

Charles R. Hale/Creator and Narrator

David S. Goldman/Music Director

Gertjan Houben/Lighting Designer

Clare Maloney/Vocals, /Sara Caswell/Violin, Robert Anthony Mack/Vocals and Baron Fenwick/Piano

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February 11 and 12, Cell Theatre, 338 West 23rd St, NYC

For tickets: http://www.thecelltheatre.org/box-office

ARTHUR GETZ, BILL EVANS and the NEW YORKER MAGAZINE

 

I’d guess that’s Bill Evans on piano, and given when this poster was published, January 4, 1958, there’s a good chance that’s Philly Joe Jones on drums. I don’t have a good guess about the bass player’s identity.

The poster was created by Arthur Getz for the New Yorker. Getz created a number of musically themed covers, his inspiration coming from Manhattan’s jazz clubs. Between 1938 and 1988, two hundred and thirteen Getz covers appeared on The New Yorker, making him the most prolific New Yorker cover artist of the twentieth century.

At times I’ll be listening to Bill Evans and I’ll look at the poster and wonder where the scene took place and what music was being performed…the poster hangs on a wall next to my piano…it inspires me

LISTEN to ME TOMMOROW on WPKN RADIO

Tune in tomorrow at noon when I’ll be featured on WPKN.org or WPKN 89.5 FM on the dial.
12:00 PM to 1:PM

It’s called: What a Story!
www.wpkn.org

Here’s what host Ina Chadwick had to say about the show:

Tomorrow I am introducing new-to-my-show storytellers. A master of the genre: Charles R. Hale‘s Grandfather was a firefighter whose presence and then absence left a big hole in Charles’ life.

Circa Norman Rockwell’s Oeuvre:  Grandpa Charlie (right) and his firefighter buddies of the FDNY Engine 14. Painting by fireman Eddie Brady.

Do yourself a favor and visit Charles R. Hale‘s Musical History of New York City FB page. If his daily pictures and vignettes (all eras) and embedded musical references don’t t grab you by the heart, it’s time to buy one of those pulse-meters now flying off the internet.

AUTHOR/HISTORIAN PETER QUINN on NEW YORK CITY

I was discussing the history of New York City with novelist and historian Peter Quinn recently and he said, “I rode on the Third Avenue El as a kid, but the city I write about is largely gone…the El, Penn Station, El Morocco…even Judge Crater!”

Peter continued, “When it comes to the city, like many New Yorkers, I’m a hopeless romantic…always pining for what was. Being raised in NYC, I feel I received an enormous gift. People travel all over the world to write in exotic places. But you grow up here in the boroughs…it’s like growing up in different worlds. The older I get, the more I’m struck by the drama of change that goes on around us. It’s a great gift for a novelist. You don’t have to search for drama…in New York…you just live it.”

As much as any other song, it feels as if New Yorkers’ Jerome Kern and Ira Gershwin’s “Long Ago and Far Away” evokes what’s been lost. 

Photo by the wonderful Evelyn Hofer.

 

LOEW’S WONDER THEATRES: SATURDAY AFTERNOON in NEW YORK CITY

(If you’re visiting here after you saw this post on Facebook, click here for the short video.)  
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Being a kid in New York City was great fun. There was always so much to do…but Saturday afternoon….that was time for the movies… and many of us frequented a Loew’s Wonder Theatre. There were five in NYC. I spent more than a few hours in one….the Loew’s Valencia in Jamaica, Queens.
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A few years ago, during a performance of “Crossing Boroughs” at the Museum of the City of New York, this three minute video, which I created and narrated, was presented. I pay homage to those Saturday afternoons at Loews. Looking for three feel good minutes…click here for this short video.
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FYI: Crossing Borough’s cast included Charles R. Hale/creator and narrator, Niamh Hyland/music director and vocals, Jack O’Connell/theatrical, Shu Nakamura/guitar, David J Raleigh/vocals, Laura Neese/dancer, Jonathan Matthews/dancer, Shirazette Tinnin/drums, Mary Ann McSweeney/bass and Steve Okonski/keyboard.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE for CLASSICALLY EXPOSED: MUSICAL CROSSROADS

Charles R. Hale Productions​, Musica Solis​ and Nancy Manocherian’s “the cell” are pleased to announce that subscriptions are available for another season of ​Classically Exposed. This season is called ​”Musical Crossroads,” in honor of the confluence of musical genre that we are presenting. Our goal is simple: To present outstanding music at a great value; accordingly, w​e have assembled a fabulous collection of artists who will performing a variety of musical genre including classical, jazz, theatrical, rock and more. ​Based on the comments we received after last year’s series, it’s fair to say “this is a one-of-a-kind” series here in New York.

DUE TO THE CURRENT HEALTH EMERGENCY IN NYC, WE HAVE SUSPENDED SUBSCRIPTION AND INDIVIDUAL SALES. HOPEFULLY, WITHIN IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, WE WILL BE ABLE TO START UP SALES AGAIN

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POSTPONED:      Charles R Hale Productions and Musica Solis Series present “Benny Meets Artie ” with the Anderson Brothers, part of the series “Classically Exposed: Musical Crossroads” at the Cell Theatre, 7:30pm, 338 West 23rdSt, New York City.

POSTPONED:        Musica Solis Series and Charles R Hale Productions present “Bacharimba” with marimbist Mika Stoltzman and clarinetist Richard Stoltzman, part of the series “Classically Exposed: Musical Crossroads” at the Cell Theatre, 7:30pm, 338 West 23rdSt, New York City.

POSTPONED:       Musica Solis Series and Charles R. Hale Productions present “Port Mande” with the Mark Dover Quartet, part of the series “Classically Exposed: Musical Crossroads” at the Cell Theatre, 7:30pm, 338 West 23rdSt, New York City.

Sept 9:          Charles R. Hale Productions and Musica Solis Series present “Stride Piano Master” Rossano Sportiello, part of the series “Classically Exposed: Musical Crossroads” at the Cell Theatre, 338 West 23rdSt, New York City.

September 25:   Musica Solis Series and Charles R Hale Productions present pianist Igor Lipinski’s “Piano Illusions,” part of the series “Classically Exposed: Musical Crossroads” at the Cell Theatre, 7:30pm, 338 West 23rdSt, New York City

Oct 28-30:    Charles R Hale Productions and Musica Solis Presents present Charles R. Hale’s “WWII and NYC: Connecting Time and Place” with vocalist Robert Anthony Mack, vocalist Clare Maloney, pianist Baron Fenwick, violinist Sara Caswell and narrator Charles R. Hale, part of the series “Classically Exposed: Musical Crossroads” at the Cell Theatre, 338 West 23rdSt, New York City.

Nov 18:          Musica Solis Series and Charles R Hale Productions present “Bach to Brazil” with the Bridget Kibbey Trio, part of the series “Classically Exposed: Musical Crossroads” at the Cell Theatre, 338 West 23rdSt, New York City.

Dec 11:           Charles R. Hale and Musica Solis Series present an evening of “Soulful Americana Rock” with guitarist/vocalist “Walter Parks,” part of the series “Classically Exposed: Musical Crossroads” at the Cell Theatre, 338 West 23rd St, New York City

CHARLES R. HALE’S UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Feb 13:       Charles R Hale Productions and the City and Humanities Program at Lehman College presents pianist/vocalist Nicole Zuraitis and songwriter/vocalist Clare Maloney. 12:30pm at Lehman College, Lovinger Theatre, 250 Bedford Park Blvd, Bronx, NY.

POSTPONED Mar 14:       A reading from Kathleen Bennet Bastis’ “As Ever”– Letters from 1936 to 1943. With Charles R. Hale, Renata Hinrichs, John Moran and Jack O’Connell. 7:00pm at First Street Gallery, 526 West 26thSt, New York City.

CANCELLED March 26:   Charles R Hale Productions and the City and Humanities Program at Lehman College presents violinist Jiin Yang, pianist Wayne Weng and narrator Charles R. Hale at Lehman College. 12:30pm, Lehman College, Lovinger Theatre, 250 Park Blvd, Bronx, NY.

CANCELLED April 16:      Charles R Hale Productions and the City and Humanities Program at Lehman College presents pianist Baron Fenwick, tenor Robert Anthony Mack and narrator Charles R. Hale at Lehman College. 12:30pm, Lehman College, Lovinger Theatre, 250 Park Blvd, Bronx, NY.

POSTPONED April 28:      Charles R Hale Productions and Musica Solis Series presents “Benny Meets Artie ” with the Anderson Brothers, part of the series “Classically Exposed: Musical Crossroads” at the Cell Theatre, 7:30pm, 338 West 23rdSt, New York City.

CANCELLED April 30:     Charles R Hale Productions and the City and Humanities Program at Lehman College presents guitarist Yuri Juarez and pianist Renato Diz. 12:30pm at Lehman College, Lovinger Theatre, 250 Bedford Park Blvd, Bronx, NY.     

POSTPONED May 15:        Musica Solis Series and Charles R Hale Productions presents “Bacharimba” with marimbist Mika Soltzman and clarinetist Richard Stolzman, part of the series “Classically Exposed: Musical Crossroads” at the Cell Theatre, 7:30pm, 338 West 23rdSt, New York City.

POSTPONED June 18:       Musica Solis Series and Charles R. Hale Productions presents “Port Mande” with the Mark Dover Quartet, part of the series “Classically Exposed: Musical Crossroads” at the Cell Theatre, 7:30pm, 338 West 23rdSt, New York City.

Sept 9:          Charles R. Hale Productions and Musica Solis Series presents “Stride Piano Master” Rossano Sportiello, part of the series “Classically Exposed: Musical Crossroads” at the Cell Theatre, 338 West 23rdSt, New York City.

SepT 25:       Musica Solis Series and Charles R Hale Productions presents pianist Igor Lipinski’s “Piano Illusions,” part of the series “Classically Exposed: Musical Crossroads” at the Cell Theatre, 7:30pm, 338 West 23rdSt, New York City.

Oct 28-30:    Charles R Hale Productions and Musica Solis Presents presents Charles R. Hale’s “WWII and NYC: Connecting Time and Place” with vocalist Robert Anthony Mack, vocalist Clare Maloney, pianist Baron Fenwick, violinist Sara Caswell and narrator Charles R. Hale, part of the series “Classically Exposed: Musical Crossroads” at the Cell Theatre, 338 West 23rdSt, New York City.

Nov 18:          Musica Solis Series and Charles R Hale Productions presents “Bach to Brazil” with the Bridget Kibbey Trio, part of the series “Classically Exposed: Musical Crossroads” at the Cell Theatre, 338 West 23rdSt, New York City.

Dec 11:           Charles R. Hale and Musica Solis Series presents an evening of “Soulful Americana Rock” with guitarist/vocalist “Walter Parks,” part of the series “Classically Exposed: Musical Crossroads” at the Cell Theatre, 338 West 23rd St, New York City

 

 

 

 

 

 

FENWICK, LEE, MACK, MALONEY, YANG and HALE: FABULOUS NIGHT at THE CELL

“From Carnegie Hall to the Cell,”  the last show of the 2019 series “Classically Exposed,” featured a night of wonderful music presented by fabulous musicians…and a dose of Carnegie Hall’s history. 

The performers, who are pictured below, were Jiin Yang, Baron Fenwick, Robert Anthony Mack, Clare Maloney, Seunghee Lee and me, Charles R. Hale

Seunghee Lee and I, co-producers of the series, are looking forward to 2020 when we will be presenting the second installment of “Classically Exposed.” We will be providing the dates and details within the next few weeks. 

Photos by Arnette Janine and Seunghee Lee.

Jiin Yang and Baron Fenwick

 

Baron Fenwick

 

Clare Maloney

 

Charles R. Hale

 

Robert Anthony Mack

 

Baron Fenwick and Seunghee Lee

 

Clare Maloney and Robert Anthony Mack

 

Jiin Yang, Baron Fenwick, Seunghee Lee, Clare Maloney and Robert Anthony Mack

CARNEGIE HALL: THE PAST COMES ALIVE at THE CELL, DECEMBER 13, 7:30pm

What do country singer Patsy Cline, French chanteuse Edith Piaf, soprano Licia Albanese and “From Carnegie Hall to the Cell’s” vocalist Clare Maloney have in common? Join us this Friday, December 13 at The Cell to find out.
 
For tix and info CLICK HERE 
 
In addition to Clare the show, which looks back at Carnegie’s legendary performs and performances, features a wonderfully gifted group of performers including Seunghee Lee (Sunny), Robert Anthony Mack, Jiin Yang and Baron Fenwick.
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The Cell is located at 338 West 23rd St in the Chelsea section of Manhattan. Doors and bar at 7:00pm. The show begins at 7:30pm.

FROM CARNEGIE HALL TO THE CELL: DECEMBER 13, 7:30PM at the CELL

 

“Charles, a chronicler of New York life and culture, blends the city’s rich history with music imagery and performance art and captures the vibrant and unique experience that is New York City.” Author and Historian Peter Quinn

*****

From the time I was a young boy growing up in New York, I was fascinated by the connection between, music, imagery and history. Pure and simple…that’s my passion. Now I am bringing this passion forward through personal recollections, anecdotes and stories of the artists and musical geniuses who have intertwined the history of Carnegie Hall with the history of New York, making Carnegie one of the world’s most prestigious venues.   

I know some of you have purchased tickets, but if you haven’t or if you’d like one or two more there are eight seats left. https://bit.ly/2ODqsjL

I hope you can join Seunghee Lee (Sunny), Clare Maloney, Robert Anthony Mack, Jiin Yang, Baron Fenwick and me for an evening of entertainment and conviviality at “the cell,” on December 13, 7:30pm. 

Thank you for your support, 

Charles