My Funny Valentine

My Funny Valentine, hosted by Bryce West and the Friends of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra featured a preview performance by Michael Andrews and Swingerhead.  The event began at 7PM at the home of Bryce West. Parking was at the First Baptist Church Windermere, Lakeside Campus (8464 Winter Garden Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL).

When I got to the church parking lot there was a shuttle bus waiting. I climbed in as the only passenger and the took off down a dirt road. We arrived at a gorgeous lake side mansion and after I picked up a name tag, Bryce showed me some of his art collection. He had a portrait of a cleric by Gainsborough in the dining area where food was ready for guests. Another portrait of Marquis Drogheda was by Reynolds. A mysterious dark Dutch painting by Petrov Van Schenbel depicted skaters in a moonlit landscape. The light from a chandelier caused the oil glazes to glare making the painting hard to see.

I set up pool side to sketch the staging area. By the time Michael Andrews performed, the sketch was solidly blocked in. My Funny Valentine will be a concert featuring Michael Andrews, his band Swingerhead, and the Orlando Philharmonic on February 9th at 2PM and 8PM at the Bob Carr. Michael explained to the audience that many of the songs were by Marvin Hamlisch for a new musical of “The Nutty Professor“. The play has been seven years in development. It was just performed in North Carolina and is Broadway bound once the producer gets the finances worked out. Michael has been working with Jerry Lewis to bring this musical to the stage. Michael said he got into entertainment because of Jerry Lewis and now the 86 year old is his mentor. Jerry’s mentor was Charlie Chaplin who took the young comedian under his wing.