“Once In a Lifetime: A Sammy Davis, Jr. Centennial Celebration” Returns to 54 Below
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 February 28 – this coming Saturday – at 7:00 pm, a constellation of Broadway’s brightest stars will celebrate Sammy’s 100th birthday at New York’s premier nightspot, 54 Below, and you’re all invited to the show that will be livestreamed everywhere. This special encore performance of 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 Jake Robinson and bassist Ryan Berg.
This special concert features an illustrious line-up of theatrical and recording talents performing Sammy’s greatest hits (and a few surprises!) including:
- Blinky Williams (Second Disc Records’ Heart Full of Soul: The Motown Anthology; Good Times theme song; alumna of Sammy’s live tours);
- Norm Lewis (Tony Award® nominee, The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess, The Phantom of the Opera, The Little Mermaid);
- Penny Fuller (Tony Award® nominee, Applause, The Dinner Party, Sunday in the Park with George);
- Nicolas King (MAC Award winner – Best Major Male Vocalist);
- Marc Kudisch (Tony Award® nominee, Floyd Collins, Girl from the North Country, The Great Society);
- Michael-Demby Cain (Ragtime, Victor/Victoria, Smokey Joe’s Cafe);
- Ava Nicole Frances (BroadwayWorld Cabaret Award winner);
- Travis Finlay (American Idol);
- Lexi Lawson (Hamilton, In the Heights); and
- Eric Jordan Young (Ragtime, The Look of Love, Seussical).
Note that all performers are subject to change. The show takes place this Saturday evening, February 28, at 7 pm at the legendary 54 Below at Studio 54. 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! If you happen to be in New York, limited seats are still available. Just click here to join us in person!
TSD invites you to join us in celebrating the life and legacy of Sammy Davis. Jr. on February 28. We hope to see you in cyberspace!
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Sammy made me cringe in my youth, but as I have gotten older, I have really started to appreciate him.