Blue Skies: Irving Berlin and the American Dream

Although the story is a rags-to-riches tale, it is so much more. At the age of five, this son of a cantor saw his house burned to the ground in Czarist Russia. But over the next 96 years the immigrant became, in his daughter’s words, the “quintessential American.” In fact, Irving Berlin celebrated two of our country’s major holidays with “White Christmas” and “Easter Parade,” and the nation itself with “God Bless America.” His songs keep rolling on: “Cheek to Cheek,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Always,” “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” and “They Say It’s Wonderful” among 1,500 others—and you’ll be treated to a generous sample in TMTP’s sixth-annual collaboration with the swinging Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. —B.R.

Hosted by BILL RUDMAN and PAUL FERGUSON

Featuring members of CLEVELAND JAZZ ORCHESTRA, the JOE HUNTER TRIO, VINCE MASTRO, TREVA OFFUTT, and MICHAEL SHIRTZ