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He was an American original…He was one of the last great exponents of a disappearing art.  He told me once, ‘The world doesn’t owe me anything, because I did it myself.’ – Tony Bennett

[Sammy] literally could do everything and he just looked so good…I could only tap. – Gregory Hines

I wish the world could have known Sam as I did. Sam never gave less than 100% when he was on stage, and he gave even more to those of us lucky enough to call him friend…It was a generous God who gave him to us for all these years, and a Heaven with his magic gives me warmth. – Frank Sinatra

On December 8, 2025, Sammy Davis, Jr. would have turned 100 years old.  Though the man once dubbed Mr. Entertainment passed away in 1990 at the age of 64, his legacy of music, performance, and social conscience lives on.  Throughout his extraordinary career, this groundbreaking artist made history on Broadway, in the movies, and on records.  For seven decades – beginning on the vaudeville stage at the age of two! – Sammy shattered barriers everywhere. He went on to influence generations to come as a singer, dancer, actor, and activist.

On December 7 – this coming Sunday – at 7:00 pm, a constellation of Broadway’s brightest stars will celebrate Sammy on the eve of his 100th birthday at New York’s premier nightspot, 54 Below, and you’re all invited to the sold-out show that will be livestreamed everywhere.  Once in a Lifetime: A Sammy Davis, Jr. Centennial Celebration is being produced by the team of TSD’s own Joe Marchese and Motown historian Andy Skurow, with musical direction by New York theatre and cabaret mainstay Michael Lavine.  Michael, on piano, will be joined by drummer Daniel Glass (Gene Simmons, Bette Midler, Brian Setzer, Jose Feliciano) and bassist Michael O’Brien (Gene Pitney, Roseanna Vitro, Ethel, Gershwin: The Klezmer).

This special concert features an illustrious line-up of theatrical and recording talents performing Sammy’s greatest hits (and a few surprises!) including:

• Rupert Holmes (Tony Award^® winner, The Mystery of Edwin Drood; “Escape (The Pina Colada Song),” Pirates! A Penzance Musical, Widescreen, Second Disc Records’ The Flasher);
• Keith David (Tony Award^® nominee, Jelly’s Last Jam; Hazbin Hotel; Community; Abbott Elementary);
• Blinky Williams (Second Disc Records’ Heart Full of Soul: The Motown Anthology; Good Times theme song; alumna of Sammy’s live tours);
• Jasmine Amy Rogers (Tony Award^® nominee, Boop! The Musical);
• Lee Roy Reams (Tony Award^® nominee, 42nd Street, The Producers, Applause, La Cage aux Folles, Sweet Charity with Sammy Davis, Jr.);
• Michael-Demby Cain (Ragtime, Victor/Victoria, Smokey Joe’s Cafe);
• Jerry Dixon (If/Then, Laugh Whore, Once on This Island);
• Ava Nicole Frances (BroadwayWorld Cabaret Award winner);
• Nicolas King (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Hollywood Arms, A Thousand Clowns);
• Marc Kudisch (Tony Award^® nominee, Floyd Collins, Girl from the North Country, The Great Society);
• T. Oliver Reid (Hadestown, Once on This Island, Sunset Boulevard); and
• Eric Jordan Young (Ragtime, The Look of Love, Seussical).

The show takes place this Sunday evening, December 7, at 7 pm at the legendary 54 Below at Studio 54.  The show is sold out – but no worries; we’ve got you covered!  Click here or on the image above to purchase a livestream ticket, and watch this Once in a Lifetime concert from the comfort of your own home anywhere!

TSD invites you to join us in celebrating the life and legacy of Sammy Davis. Jr. on December 7.  We hope to see you in cyberspace!​