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Old Globe Theatre —Sammy—The late Sammy Davis Jr. broke ground as an entertainer and as an interreligious figure. His conversion to Judaism was a sensation, with Davis later explaining that after the car accident in which he had lost an eye, he had reflected with singer Eddie Cantor about the similarities between the Jewish and American experiences. Years later, he appeared on a television special with Nancy Sinatra, and the kiss they gave each other in greeting was believed to have been the first inter-racial kiss ever seen on television. Nancy's father, Frank Sinatra, was, along with Davis, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop were members of a high-flying group of popular entertainers known as the "Rat Pack." Sammy Davis, Jr., the man, his songs, and dancing are the subject of a world premiere to be performed at the Old Globe, September 19 through Nov 8, with the title role to be filled by Obba Babatunde, whose own career was influenced by Davis. Leslie Bricusse wrote the book, and most of the music and lyrics. Curtain times and other information available on line at www.theoldglobe.org.
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San Diego Repertory Theatre—Long Story Short—The San Diego Repertory Theatre will present October 3-November 1 Long Story Short, a musical based on a 50-year love affair between Hope, an Asian American woman, and Charles, a Jew who moved to Los Angeles from New York. Written by Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda, and starring Robert Brewster and Melody Butiu, the musical is described as a "timetraveling romance that begins with a blind date and goes all the way to old age in one exotic song-filled evening!" It will be presented at the Lyceum Space at 79 Horton Plaza. For tickets, call the box office at (619)-570-1100
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