God Bless America: A Salute to Irving Berlin October 9, 2011

An intimate musical review featuring dance, music and comedy, highlighting the life and songs of America's favorite composer.

Starring Nina Josephs and Matthew Hutchens, Broadway-style singer/performers and featuring pianist Michael Morgan.

Irving Berlin (May 11, 1888 - September 22, 1989) was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest American songwriters in history.

His first hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band", became world famous. The song sparked an international dance craze in places as far away as Berlin's native Russia, which also "flung itself into the ragtime beat with an abandon bordering on mania." Over the years he was known for writing music and lyrics in the American vernacular: uncomplicated, simple and direct, with his aim being to "reach the heart of the average American" whom he saw as the "real soul of the country."

He wrote hundreds of songs, many becoming major hits, which made him "a legend" before he turned thirty. During his 60-year career he wrote an estimated 1,500 songs, including the scores for 19 Broadway shows and 18 Hollywood films, with his songs nominated eight times for Academy Awards. Many songs became popular themes and anthems, including "Easter Parade", "White Christmas", "Happy Holiday", "This is the Army, Mr. Jones", and "There's No Business Like Show Business".

Official Website: http://www.livermoreperformingarts.org/calendar/view.asp?id=2170