Marianne Koerner and Richard Barons will return to the Levitas Center for the Arts at the Southampton Cultural Center on Saturday, November 15, at 7 p.m. to present “The Other Gershwin; the Work of Ira Gershwin.”
Ms. Koerner, who will accompany herself on the piano, refers to Ira Gershwin as “the wind beneath the wings of his brother, George.” Together the Gershwins collaborated on literally hundreds of songs that have become standards in the Great American Songbook. Few people realize that after George’s premature death, Ira continued to write songs, working with many other famous composers, including Harold Arlen, Jerome Kern, Kurt Weill and Vernon Duke. “His repertoire of music is a treasure,” Ms. Koerner averred. “These songs are about being in love and loving life.”
A classically trained singer and pianist, Ms. Koerner appeared in Broadway musicals and many television shows in her early career. Marriage, three decades and three sons (now grown) later, she became addicted to the cabaret genre. She has delighted audiences with her original shows locally and abroad. She and writer/narrator Mr. Barons, the director of the East Hampton Historical Museum, have worked together over the last few years, focusing their talents on Kern, Rodgers and Hart, and Cole Porter. Mr. Barons has written a lively and entertaining narrative for “The Other Gershwin,” filled with lots of anecdotes and information about the songs and their creation.
Tickets are $10 at the door. For information and reservations, e-mail scc@southamptonculturalcenter.org or call 631-287-4377.
on Oct 27, 2008