Therese Lee
Pennies From Heaven: My Life in Bing Crosby Songs
Don’t Tell Mama, NYC, September 19, 2026
Reviewed by Jacqueline Parker

Photo by Stephen Mosher
This thoughtful and reflective show began with forceful positivity delivered by Therese Lee in the form of “New Sun in the Sky” (Arthur Schwartz/Howard Dietz) and “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive” (Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer). Lee cleverly used songs that Bing Crosby was famous for singing, including some surprisingly done by him (“I Whistle a Happy Tune” by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II). She used these songs to weave her message with some bits about her life, all the while maintaining an upbeat and almost inspiring tone.
A native of California, Lee’s personal story is one to be admired. She battled addiction to alcohol and has been sober for several decades. Lyrics such as the ones she showcased no doubt helped her find her way out of that darkness, as no doubt it has done for others. Peppered in with familiar tunes were brief vignettes of her life, which underscored the overall message of her performance. During one particularly difficult time, she just “sat back and let God show off!”
Lee performed a moving rendition of “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” (Jay Gorney/E.Y. Harburg), and she worked the same magic with Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.” In both of these she showed that slower can indeed be better.
With her masterful compatriots Christopher Denny providing music direction, piano, and arrangements and Jeff Harnar skillfully overseeing direction, Lee delivered a show that was philosophical in its message, a message that was easily absorbed by her enthusiastic audience.

