By Marilyn Lester***Multi-cast cabaret shows have become quite a staple at 54 below. with interesting themes and plenty of talent—and as with any endeavor, no matter how excellent, some, like rich cream, rise to the top. Such a show was Once in a Lifetime: A Sammy Davis Jr. Centennial, produced by Joe Marchese and Andy Skurow. The encore performance, originally performed in December 2025, Davis’ actual centenary 
year (he was born on December 8, 1925) was a true “back by popular demand” show—no marketing ploy. It was that wonderful.
Master of multi-talents, Michael Lavine, pianist-music director, hosted, with bassist Ryan Berg and drummer Jake Robinson providing solid musical support to a wealth of talent. But first, there was a video introduction to the man himself. If ever there was an embodiment of entertainment it was Sammy Davis. He was a singer, dancer, musician, actor, raconteur — you name it—the kind of performer who always gave 1000%. He was born into show business: his mother was dancer Elvera Sanchez, Sammy senior a vaudeville star. Davis began performing at age three as part of the family’s vaudeville act, the Will Mastin Trio. When he died in 1990 he’d left an indelible imprint on the world of entertainment.
Once in a Lifetime presented ten boffo performers in tribute, but perhaps the one who actually embodied “Sammyness” was Nicolas King, who’s been a singer-actor 
since his Broadway turn at age four. This likewise diminutive bundle of energy and talent never fails to light up a stage, and on this occasion he stepped into the Sportin’ Life persona of Porgy and Bess to ace “Dere’s a Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon for New York” (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin). A treat appeared in the person of R&B, soul and gospel singer-songwriter, Sondra “Blinky” Williams, a protegé of Davis. From Stop the World—I Want to Get Off, she sang a soulful “What Kind of Fool Am I” (Anthony Newley, Leslie Bricusse) and then later in the show, at the piano, “God Bless the Child” (Billie Holiday, Arthur Herzog, Jr.).
Broadway veteran Penny Fuller sang an entreating “Lorna’s Here” (Charles Strouse, Lee Adams) from Golden Boy; the positively dynamic Eric Jordan Young offered a poignant “Mr. Bojangles” (Jerry Jeff Walker) and another from Golden Boy: “Night Song.” The bouyant Michael-Demby Cain sang “Love Me or Leave Me” (Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn) and a bright “Yes I Can,” another Golden Boy entry; and the self-accompanying Marc Kudisch on guitar put a creative R&B twist on the marvelously classic 
“Birth of the Blues” (Ray Henferson, Buddy DeSylva). Also on hand were Travis Finlay with”Once in a Lifetime” (Anthony Newley, Leslie Bricusse) and in duet with Lexi Lawson on “Someone Nice Like You” (Newley, Bricusse). Newcomer Ava Nicole Frances tried out her Sammy chops on “I’m Not Anyone” (Paul Anka, Johnny Harris).
But in a best-is-yet-to-come finale, Norm Lewis appeared, bringing his Davis-level magic to the stage. Another embodiment of entertainment, Lewis put mega soul—and a gorgeous baritone—into one of Davis most iconic songs: “I’ve Gotta Be Me” (Walter Marks). There was only one way to beat that big finish, and that was a full-cast and audience belt-out of “The Candy Man,” a joyful prayer of thanks and gratitude for “Mr. Entertainment.”
