For almost 100 years, Cole Porter melodies have been the soundtrack of America, enchanting generations who charted their lives to a Cole Porter song. Porter ruled the Hit Parade with “My Heart Belongs To Daddy,” “Begin The Beguine,” “Letʼs Misbehave,” “Youʼre The Top,” “Just One Of Those Things,” “I Get A Kick Out of You,” “NIght And Day,” “Donʼt Fence Me In” and dozens and dozens of other classics that sound as fresh and current today as they did decades ago.
Richard T. Hanson, a mainstay in Tucson’s theater scene for more than 30 years, will bring the Cole Porter songbook to life in a 2:30 p.m. talk at the Arizona Senior Academy on Thursday (April 30).
Entitled “Anything Goes! The Wit and Wisdom of Cole Porter,” Hanson’s presentation will highlight Porter’s contributions to the Golden Age of Broadway. It will include rare archival performances by Ethel Merman, Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, Frank Sinatra, Mary Martin, Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald.
Hanson is a Professor Emeritus of the School of Theatre, Film & Television at the University of Arizona, where he created the nationally known Musical Theatre Program and headed the Acting/Musical Theatre Division. He directed and choreographed over fifty UA productions including:“Grease,” “South Pacific,” “Gypsy,” “Godspell,” “The Boy Friend,” “Cabaret,” “Othello,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” and “Urinetown.”
He was the founder and director of The Entertainers and Encore!, the UA musical revue groups which are celebrating over 30 years of musical theatre touring and outreach. He was awarded the James P. Anthony Award for sustained excellence in teaching. He is a four-time recipient of the Humanities Seminars Program’s Superior Teaching Award.
Academy Village is an active-adult community located off Old Spanish Trail six miles southeast of Saguaro National Park East. Its residents support the Arizona Senior Academy, a non-profit charitable organization whose mission includes offering free concerts and lectures to the public. These events are held in the Great Room of The ASA Building adjacent to the Academy Village Community Center.
Due to the popularity of cultural events, non-residents who wish to ensure priority seating are advised to make reservations by email at info@arizonasenioracademy.org or by phone at (520) 647-0980. To learn more about the Academy, go to www.asa-tucson.org.
Written by Mike Maharry, Academy Village Volunteer
