The fourth annual celebration of the life and songs of Tom Lehrer, Viva La Lehrer IV, takes the Kuumbwa Jazz stage in downtown Santa Cruz on the eve of his 89th birthday with two shows, 6:30 and 8:45 Saturday, April 8. Tickets go on sale March 1.
Though his sometimes quirky, occasionally dark, and often sardonic songs, written between World War II and “The Age of Aquarius,” periodically get lost in a sea of “Tom who?” a stubborn group of about 20 Santa Cruz musical and comedic performers come together each spring to put an end to the forgetfulness.
Show producer Peter Nichols claims it’s “the World’s premier Lehrer event” wherein these kind, brave souls take on the enviable task of bringing his unusual catalogue of luscious rhymes, poignant satire, lyrical lists, and playful portrayals of utter mayhem careening back to immortality. This to the delight of multiple generations of adoring Lehrer fanatics starved for the near religious experience that draws them uncontrollably from San Francisco, Bakersfield, Seattle and communities nearer and farther.
Headlining Viva La Lehrer IV are Lori Rivera, Gail Rich honoree and preeminent comedic chanteuse formerly with The Bobs; and Kylan deGhetaldi, local Ragtime festival organizer recently returning from a tour of Europe and Australia with Youtube sensation Post Modern Jukebox.
Also on the bill are the award winning Gold Standard barbershop quartet Constellation, the show’s other Gail Rich honoree Joe Ferrara, local opera and country singer Lizz “ZZ” Hodgin, the World’s first Dixie Ragtime skiffle band The Lehrermen, vocalist and arranger Steve Wilson, the salon trio 3-in-a-Chord, vocalist B. D. Tacklind, short- and long-named percussionist Olaf Schiappacasse, instrumentalist Jon Nordgren, the one-man duo “Me&Tom,” and Wallace Baine will M.C.
After the remarkable rendition of Lehrer’s “The Elements” last year by Branciforte Middle School sixth grader Rowan Jones (he earned a well-deserved standing ovation), Nichols found another Branciforte middle schooler, Lowell Greene to perform the feat, this time with accompaniment by the song’s only known updater deGhetaldi.
Due to the expected demand — the shows routinely sell out each year — two shows are planned. The first at 6:30 p.m. is 90 minutes with no intermission for “Lehrer fans” that simply can’t wait. The late show at 8:45 is longer with a short intermission and even more Lehrer than anyone should have to endure.
Mr. Lehrer, a UCSC Professor Emeritus, has given permission to perform his songs, but wants it known that he is otherwise not involved, period. As before, proceeds will benefit the Santa Cruz Homeless Services Center.
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Advance tickets for both shows are $26 available through VivaLaLehrer.com or by calling 1-800-838-3006. Tickets at the door will be $30, but none of those are expected to be available.