NYS Music 202​0

Tag: carl reiner

  • Watch Carl Reiner sing opera on “Caesar’s Hour” and “Conan”

    The comedy world lost a giant today, as Carl Reiner passed away at age 98. Known for creating The Dick Van Dyke Show and directing comedies including Oh God! and The Jerk, few know that Reiner also dabbled in singing, notably opera music, part of two television performances that bookend his career.

    Born in The Bronx to Jewish immigrant parents in 1920, Carl Reiner would go on to serve in the Army Air Force in World War II, before performing in Broadway musicals Inside U.S.A. and Alive and Kicking, among others, as well as the lead role in Call Me Mister. In 1950, he joined the cast of Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows, appearing on air in skits while also working alongside writers Mel Brooks and Neil Simon in the early years of their careers.

    At 33 years of age, Reiner joined Caesar’s Hour in October 1955, Reiner would perform a selection from Pagliacci, with Sid Caesar in the role of Gallipacci (Canio in the original opera). Gallipacci and wife Rosa (Nedda), played by Nanette Fabray, are traveling in an art troupe, when Rosa falls in love with Emilio (Silvio), played by Reiner. The two make plans to elope, but a jealous Gallipacci discovers their plan. Watch below and listen for a young Don Pardo introducing the sketch.

    Now compare a young Reiner, whose career was just getting started, to a 91 year old Reiner on Conan promoting his book “I Remember Me.” The two discussed how he was never able to perform opera for a career choice, and Conan offered him a chance to perform on the show that night. Reiner took the chance and sang from Pagliacci.

    Rest in peace Carl Reiner, thanks for the laughs and for shining a light on your potential operatic career.

  • Dawn: A Celebration of Shavuot with an All-Night Cultural Arts Festival

    Dawn, an all-night cultural arts festival, will take place virtually on May 28 and 29 from 7PM to 6AM PT (10PM-9AM ET) for the celebration of Shavuot. The 11 hour celebration will include three reimagined tracks of the 10 Commandments as well as art, comedy, music, film, and conversation. Shavuot is a Jewish holidays that commemorates both the first harvest of early summer, as well as the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai following the exodus from Egypt.

    The event will live-stream on Reboot’s website. The festivities will include Yoga, Meditation, Sound Bath, Cooking Class, Music, DJ Dance Party among the many activities.

    One of the main attractions will be an Original Score by Cecil B Demille of the Ten Commandments pt.1 performed by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, Steven Drozd of the Flaming Lips and Scott Amendola. This reimagining of the silent era film from 1923 will be split into two stories. The first revolving around the Jewish Exodus from Egypt and a present day, or present for 1923, melodrama. The new score will musically follow Moses out of Egypt and into the dessert where he receives the Ten Commandments. 

    The Dawn celebration will also have lots of other appearances. Others on the bill include Jill Soloway, Carl Reiner, Norman Lear, Gabi Moskowitz, Kasher vs. Kasher (Moshe Kasher and Rabbi David Kasher), Michaela Watkins, John Schott, Tiffany Shlain, The Milk Carton Kids, Zackary Drucker, and AJ Jacobs.  

    The festival is being put on by Reboot and the Jewish Emergent Network. Reboot has put on festivals in the past in San Francisco for Shavuot but because of COVID-19 this year’s programming will be a little different. The hope of these organizations is that moving to a digital platform will make them accessible to a larger audience.  

    From more information and program highlights, please visit Reboot’s website.