"Just once in a lifetime, a man knows a moment, one wonderful moment, when fate takes his hand ...." These lyrics always touched popular singer and performer Eddie Bruce, as did the life of English songwriter, singer and actor, Anthony Newley who wrote this with Leslie Bricusse. And, now Bruce brings his personal tribute to Anthony Newley to New York debuting "Once in a Lifetime ... The Anthony Newley Songbook" at FEINSTEIN'S, the nightclub of New York, on Sunday, September 26 at 8:30 p.m. It's a rare and most refreshing revisit of some of the music made popular by Newley.
Bruce presents the essence of
Anthony Newley in his show featuring his hits and his dramatic, Broadway soul-searching music. The show includes such light-hearted songs as "On a Wonderful Day like Today" (from "The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of The Crowd") and "Candy Man" (From "Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory"). Bruce also sings songs that come from the more pensive side of Newley like "What Kind of Fool Am I?" and "Once in a Lifetime" (both from "Stop the World I Want to Get Off.")
This is the debut of
Eddie Bruce's Newley show in New York, but when he performed it in Philadelphia, it got raves.
David Anthony Fox wrote in Philadelphia City Paper, "Bruce sings this material with just the right combination of heart and showmanship. He has a first-rate voice that's perfect for this." He continued, "Bruce is simply superb, holding the audience in the palm of his hand with genuine warmth and witty patter."
Always fascinated by
Anthony Newley, Bruce believes he was under-appreciated and under-rated as a songwriter. "There really is no one like
Anthony Newley," said Bruce. "He had a very unique, distinct style, an over-the-top approach to performing his songs." During his show Bruce shares anecdotes about Newley like this one. "Most people don't realize the influence he had on other performers like
David Bowie who idolized Newley. In fact,
David Bowie once had the opportunity to meet
Anthony Newley, but he got so nervous to be in his presence, he actually declined."
For
Eddie Bruce, when he performs his interpretation of
Tony Bennett's music, he's singing music that everyone knows. When he sings Newley's music, it's often music his audiences forgot but loved or didn't realize
Anthony Newley wrote. One example is "Feeling Good." Bruce continues, "
Michael Buble made it famous again, so popular that the kids on American Idol sing it, they just don't know much about its composer."
Bruce has become practically an expert on Newley, recalling his swingin' 60's style. He even spent time reviewing Newley's archives, wearing white gloves as instructed at Boston University's Special Collections Library as he looked through his materials " I expected to find a few boxes of music instead I found over 90 boxes filled with personal correspondence, handwritten performance notes and a treasure of personal memorabilia." Being amongst Newley's personal things was an experience he'll never forget. He added, "I remember seeing
Anthony Newley perform on television. It made such an impression when I saw him on the
Mike Douglas Show,
Merv Griffin Show, even on the old Hollywood Palace where he was the host."
Perhaps it was the way Newley acted that impacted the most. "I was always fascinated by ‘The Joker,' the poor laughing fool, and his role of Little Chap in ‘Stop the World I Want to Get Off.' There was that special something about the way he sang that always got to me. His music was equally unique but he would complain because
Sammy Davis, Jr. and
Tony Bennett could do what he couldn't ... sell a million copies overnight of his music! And, speaking of Sammy Davis, they had a relationship that was like being on a roller coaster. For a long time, they were best of friends but the relationship suffered and they stopped speaking, even though Tony tried, even up until Sammy's death."
A frequent performer in New York and in Philadelphia,
Eddie Bruce is proud to have broken box office records at Philadelphia
Prince Music Theater's cabaret with his show, "Bruce on Bennett, A Loving Tribute to an American Music Treasure." A media personality, he is well-known for serving as the first host of the 1980's hit television show "Dancin' On Air" and for being a talk show host on WWDB-FM, Philadelphia's most popular talk radio station in the 80's. He is also one of the most sought-after band leaders leading The
Eddie Bruce Orchestra for some of the most prestigious events in the Philadelphia/New Jersey region. This spring he was proud to be part of the fundraising gala for Papermill Playhouse along with award-winning songwriter
Stephen Schwartz and cabaret artist
Liz Callaway.
"Once in a Lifetime - The Anthony Newley Songbook" will be performed on Sunday, September 26, 2010, 8:30 p.m. at Feinstein's at Loews Regency, 540 Park Avenue, New York. Cover charges are $30 for general tickets and $50 for premium seating. There is a $25 minimum for food and beverage. For tickets, call 212-339-4095 or visit www.ticketweb.com. For more information about Eddie Bruce, visit www.eddiebruce.com.
