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‘Sammy’ premieres at Balboa Park's Globe Theater

By Lydia E. Ringwald

Southern California theater aficionados have the first chance to view new musical production ‘Sammy’ premiering at San Diego’s Globe Theater September 19-November 8.

‘Sammy’s’ spectacular book, music and lyrics spanning the life of legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.  are the brainchild of double Oscar and Grammy winner Leslie Bricusse in collaboration with musical songwriter Anthony Newley, his long time song-writing partner.

Bricusse has generated his musical about Sammy’s life and legend from an authentic artistic relationship   based on the mutual respect based and admiration that they shared over the years.  In his memoir, Bricusse reminisces about the Sammy he knew, who was always first to listen to their new songs and first to record them and credits Sammy Davis whose recorded version of ‘What Kind of Fool Am I?”  played on the radio before the Broadway opening of the hit musical ‘Stop the World” as contributing to the show’s great success.

Bricusse’s production includes rich orchestral arrangements and a large cast of energetic singing and dancing talent staged in the authentic period sets and costumes that evoke the many eras of Sammy’s life – from his early Harlem days at the Apollo Theater, to the WW II radio studio, to the Rat Pack revues on the Las Vegas nightclub stage, to his descent when he fell out of favor with popular audiences, to his comeback with ‘Candyman’ and finally to his revival with recognition on Hall of Fame.

Tony Award nominated Obba Babatunde, a personal friend of Sammy who considered the legendary performer to be his mentor, plays the star role of Sammy. Although the demanding role stretches Babatunde’s tap dance, vocal and acting talent, he performs with confidence knowing that he personally received Sammy’s jazzy Beatnik blessing. “I feel safe knowing that with cats like Obba, when I get out of this business I am leaving it in good hands.”

Adding to the authenticity is the casting of actor Adam James in the role of Sinatra.  James’s forehead, the tilt of the head and shoulders, his posture, timing and gestures evoke Sinatra’s signature in an impersonation that allows time collapse into the forever present. 

Bricusse’s theatrical vision in ‘Sammy’ with a large cast and orchestra is grand in scale compared to other intimate theatrical recreations of famous stars of the past. ‘Hershy Felder as George Gershwin Alone’ is an insular memoir of the legendary songwriter’s life and ‘Rendez-vous with Marlene” performed by the Scandinavian actress and writer   Torill, is a magical one-woman impersonation of film femme fatale Marlene Dietrich.
 
But although grander and more extravagant in scale, the Bricusse’ s ‘Sammy’ maintains intimacy and emotionality as it evokes the soul and spirit of a singer who sang the songs that he lived and lived the songs that he sang. 

The lonely tune ‘There’s always a joker’ haunts the end of the first act and rather than ending with a ‘bang,’ Bricusse discreetly allows his ‘Sammy’ to assume his famous classic solo top hat signature pose in the spotlight in the center of a dark stage, silently alone.

The medley of Bricusse and Newley hits from past productions mingled amongst original Bricusse music composed specifically for ‘Sammy’ generates a total theatrical impact that destines this production for greatness. In the Bricusse production, Sammy lives again in magical stage time.

Southern California theatergoers have the opportunity to be the first to experience a uniquely artistic musical production at the beginning of what could become a very long and magnificent theatrical run.