Once in A Lifetime:
A Sammy Davis Jr. Centennial Celebration
54 Below, NYC, December 7, 2025
Reviewed by Alix Cohen
Photos courtesy of 54 Below
Sammy Davis Jr. (1925–1990) was a trailblazing entertainer whose career spanned singing, dancing, and acting. He rose from vaudeville as a child prodigy, he became a star of stage, screen, and Las Vegas, most famously as part of the Rat Pack with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Known for breaking racial barriers and supporting civil rights, Davis combined dazzling talent with resilience, leaving a legacy as one of America’s most versatile performers as well as having been known as a kind and generous man.
After a montage of Sammy Davis Jr. on video was shown, T. Oliver Reid emerged from the audience singing “Once in a Lifetime” (Anthony Newley/Leslie Bricusse from Stop the World, I Want to Get Off) at first a cappella and then exuberantly riding the percussion.
Host/MD/pianist Michael Lavine welcomed Ben Vereen (lead dancer in “The Rhythm of Life” from the film Sweet Charity), who praised the honoree at length, professionally and as a man. “I’m happy to see young people tonight,” he added, “It’s important to tell our story and maintain the legacy.”
Author, composer, lyricist, playwright Rupert Holmes regaled us with a story of Davis’ breakthrough at Ciro’s on Sunset Strip. Booked as Janis Paige’s opening act, the Will Maston Trio (Davis and his father and uncle), was contracted for twenty minutes and two bows. Davis pulled out all the stops. The trio performed for an hour and twenty minutes and garnered eight bows. Holmes observed, “To her credit, the next day, Paige opened up for them!” Holmes also described Davis’ brilliance at performing impressions and told us about the car crash that took the artist’s eye. He then sang the honoree’s first film title song “Six Bridges to Cross” (Henry Mancini/Jeff Chandler)
Eric Jordan Young, a heart on dancer’s legs, offered a rich, deeply invested “Night Song” (Charles Strouse/Lee Adams from Golden Boy) and a smooth, cool, graceful rendition of “Mr. Bojangles” (Jerry Jeff Walker) of which Davis would surely have approved. He performed it with passion but without excess; an art.
Nicolas King showed off his polish and chops with a swinging version of “There’s a Boat Dat’s Leaving Soon for New York” (George Gershwin/Ira Gershwin/Dubose Hayward from Porgy and Bess) that made it a cabaret staple.
Mario Cantone, best known from iterations of Sex and the City in which he excelled as Carrie’s buddy Anthony, rambled on about his 1980s children’s TV show Steampipe Alley and then SANG “I’m Gonna Live Till I Die” (Al Hoffman/Walter Kent/Manny Curtis). Yes, folks, Cantone sings and WELL!
Blinky Williams met Davis as a child. Her father had arranged for accommodation for Davis and company—“negroes”—at the Y since they were not allowed to stay in hotels when they were filming Porgy and Bess down south. Twenty-five years later she reintroduced herself to Davis and spent nine more years on the road working with him. At the piano, she delivered a fabulous, jazz/gospel version of “God Bless the Child” (Billie Holiday/Arthur Herzog, Jr.).
Keith David performed “What Kind of Fool Am I? (Anthony Newley/Leslie Bricusse from Stop the World, I Want to Get Off) without ornamentation. It was pristine, intoxicating, empathetic. “Because Sammy did what he did, we’re here today, : he told us.
With words projected on the club’s screens, the cast and audience closed the evening with “Candy Man” (Anthony Newley/Leslie Bricusse from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).
Also featured were: Michael Demby-Cain who related to his audience; Ava Nicole Frances’ solid pop vocal; the inimitable Lee Roy Reams who, hoarse, could alas not sing, but left us with a warm anecdote and a memorable photo as an Indian hippie in Sweet Charity; Mark Kudisch with blues on guitar: “Sammy didn’t just sing with his voice, he sang with his body”; earnest, convincing, Jerry Dixon performed “I Gotta Be Me” (Walter Marks). On video, there were recollections by Melissa Manchester, centenarian Lee Adams, and Freda Payne.
In addition to Lavine on piano, the band consisted of Daniel Glass (drums), and Michael O’Brien (bass). The program was written and produced by Joe Marchese and Andy Skurow. It was an entertaining evening of celebration, commendation, and nostalgia along with a few surprises. The show returns to 54 Below on February 28, 2026 at 7:00.
