Kicking off the holiday season, Jill Senter & Company return to The Laurie Beechman Theatre for a special presentation of Celebrate the Moment on Monday, November 25 at 7:00 pm.
The holiday spirit fills the show with fun-filled numbers like “We Are Family,” Jill Senter’s own Billboard topping hit “Celebrate the Moment” and her tribute to her renowned uncle, David Kapralik, the former president of Columbia Records (who discovered and helped build the careers of such legendary stars as Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand, and who co-authored some of the label’s biggest hits).
NiteLife Exchange (NLE) celebrates Jill Senter (JS) with Six Questions plus one.
NiteLife Exchange: Your international theater career runs as deep as your family history. You’re the niece of the VP of Columbia Records, David Kapralik, who’s responsible for discovering the talents of Barbara Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennet and Sly and the Family Stone. When did you realize you wanted to sing and what were some of your early influences?
Jill Senter: My earliest influences were artists with Motown Records: Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and The Supremes and Marvin Gaye, plus Judy Collins, The Mamas and The Papas, Dionne Warwick, Doris Day, Carol King (as a songwriter) and Barbra Streisand.
My Uncle David (Kapralik) was my biggest influence! He was always working with brilliant artists and would play me their records before he released them, so I grew up having a love for music… all different types of music. I felt really special to get to hear the acts he produced like Peaches & Herb and Donovan, and Andy Williams, who he signed to Columbia. I learned a great deal about writing melodies and lyrics from that time in my life.
When my uncle left Columbia Records, he discovered Sylvester Stewart aka “Sly Stone” and I got to witness a wonderful working relationship that lasted over 25 years. I think that is why I spend all my free time at the recording studio. I have wonderful memories of watching my uncle and Sly collaborate on lyrics and music together. I learned to write melodies and lyrics from watching these artists. I think it contributed to my songs “Celebrate the Moment” and “Stronger than Yesterday” (Billboard 2019 # 33) becoming hits.
NLE: You attended Emerson College and performed in West Side Story (Velma) and Cabaret (Kit Kat Girl), among many others. After graduation, you moved to New York and got cast in the national tours of Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, and Hair. How did you eventually get involved in Cabaret?
JS: I became involved in cabaret because I love to sing and dance and my mother was a nightclub singer. She always sang songs like “Fly Me to the Moon,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and lots of the 30s, 40s, 50s American Songbook standards.
NLE: What can audiences expect in Celebrate the Moment?
JS: Audiences can expect a fun, entertaining night! Many people have come back many times. I always say “you will have a great time!” because it is important to me and everyone else to connect with the people who come to the show. The singing is AMAZING! Choreography is top notch! We are so lucky to be able to work with such a fantastic and talented creative team. (Joanna Rush worked with Bob Fosse and Shirley MacLaine in a Chorus Line), Elliot Finkel (arranged and conducted for Sid Caesar, Michael Feinstein, Ginger Rodgers and many more). Walter Willison was nominated for a Tony and starred in Grand Hotel and Two by Two on Broadway.
NLE: Tell us about a time you had a particularly troubled day but had to perform that night. How did you get through it?
JS: This summer my dog Teddy, who was 17 years old, was very sick. It was a sad time, but I gathered all my strength and even though I was feeling raw emotionally, I had to make a choice to bring my feelings on stage and just be myself. I got through the performance and I couldn’t believe the reaction of the audience. I can only imagine that we connected and they felt something too. It ended up being one of my best shows. Nothing like being authentic.
NLE: What is the most rewarding character you’ve ever worked on in a show?
JS: I loved West Side Story. I played Velma and the song lyrics and excitement of the show is something I will never forget. I just love the dancing, choreography and singing!
NLE: What are the ways you go about sourcing material for your projects/shows? In regard to future shows, do you have anything in mind?
JS: When I’m producing a show I like to think about what would flow. I do a tremendous amount research about the era and always want to make sure my audience can relate to what is being sung or performed. It is important to tell a story. For instance, “Celebrate the Moment ” tells the story of moments in people’s lives that changed them—coming to a fork in the road and all the emotions and excitement that brings.
NLE: What do you like to do on your spare time?
JS: My free time is just more music. I write music and songs and hang out with my son David and our dog Sammy. Music runs in the family. My son is a composer, and I love to listen to him play the piano and make tracks.
For tickets click here
The Laurie Beechman Theater is located at 407 West 42nd Street, NYC
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