Peter & Will Anderson Present a Fabulous SONGBOOK SUMMIT at 59E59 Theaters

Peter and Will Anderson, the brilliant musicians known as The Anderson Twins, have produced and created Songbook Summit at 59E59 Theaters with presentations that celebrate great American Songbook composers. We attended the first program that showcased the music and the life of Cole Porter. Future shows throughout the month of August will include Harold Arlen, George Gershwin and Richard Rodgers. See one, see them all. It is a fabulous opportunity for music lovers and many more.

Songbook Summit features Peter Anderson on Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax and Clarinet; Will Anderson on Alto Sax, Clarinet and Flute; Jeb Patton on Piano; Clovis Nicholas on Bass; Phil Stuart on Drums; and Vocalist, Molly Ryan. Substitute musicians include Neal Miner on Bass; Tardo Hammer on Piano; and Steve Ash on Piano. The awe-inspiring talent of the musicians and the velvety voice of Molly Ryan bring Cole Porter's outstanding music to the stage. We were tapping our toes from the very moment of the show to the last. Songs include "Night & Day," "Begin the Beguine," "I Get a Kick Out of You," "I've Got You Under My Skin," and "Just One of Those Things."

And while the music of Cole Porter is wonderfully performed, there is also biographical information in a media display with photos, movie posters and film clips. This element in the program provides interesting personal information about Porter, but also adds to an understanding of the times. Porter was an only child, born to a wealthy Indiana family. A musical prodigy, his talents blossomed when he was a student at Yale where he wrote over 300 songs, some of which are still used as fight songs today. Porter was quite the socialite who travelled the globe. He was married Linda Lee Thomas, a very beautiful well-connected woman from 1919 until her death in 1954 but he was also known to have homosexual affairs. An unfortunate horseback riding accident in 1937 left him virtually crippled and in constant pain, but he continued to work.

Porter's works are treasured to this day by musicians as well as movie and musical theater fans. He was a composer who wrote the music and the sophisticated, witty lyrics for his songs. And while Porter had his share of failures, his enduring Broadway hits include Anything Goes, Kiss Me Kate, and Can-Can .

The first presentation of Songbook Series highlighting Cole Porter sets the pace for the exciting presentations ahead in the month of August. Music lovers and many more will relish these wonderful, engaging programs.

Songbook Summit is produced by Reardon-Anderson Music will be performed for a limited engagement through Sunday, August 27. The programs run for 90 minutes with no intermission. The performance schedule is Tuesday Thursday at 7:00 PM, Friday at 8:00 PM; Saturday at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM; and Sunday at 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM. Schedule adjustments: There is an added performance on Saturday, August 26 at 5:00 PM; there is no evening performance on Sunday, August 27.Performances are at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues). Single tickets are $35 ($24.50 for 59E59 Members). A four-show package is available for $120 ($98 for 59E59 Members) and includes one ticket to your choice of performance for each composer. To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or visit www.59e59.org.

Photo Credit: Lynn Redmile, L-R: Jeb Patton, Molly Ryan, Peter Anderson, Clovis Nicolas, Will Anderson, and Phil Stewart