Bart Greenberg spent four of his most satisfying professional years running special events at the Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Noble. Previously, Bart spent several years at Tower Records where he first learned how to be in charge of signings and performances. Throughout this time, he met a very wide range of celebrities (writers, actors, singers, broadcasters, etc.). In this ccolumn, Bart shares memo
ries of of the amazing – and notorious – people he encountered.
In tribute to Sondra Lee, Bart remembers the diminutive artistic force whose career spanned over eight decades as a dancer, actress, director, coach and educator. Lee died of natural causes on February 23 at age 97.
By Bart Greenberg***Whenever I encountered Sondra Lee, she always seemed to be on her way from somewhere or on her way to somewhere—usually both. Even when we had a wonderful lunch together, she kept her eye on the clock as she had a class to conduct or a show to direct. Of course, in the moments we shared, her focus was on 
me and only me. I suspect that was true of everyone she interacted with. Sondra made things happen. Within her tiny body was enough energy to light up several theatrical spaces. So it was hardly surprising that her book event would turn into so much more than just her reading her wonderful memoir, I’ve Slept With Everybody, out loud.
On the evening of the event, Sondra arrived early, ready to go. We put her in our green room while the audience settled in, in the main room. Unlike many other such events at Barnes & Noble, those who attended this one showed up early too. A great many of them were show-business veterans who had worked with Sondra at some point during her long career. It was notable how many people from her past wanted to pay tribute. And while waiting for the start of the evening, they inevitably reignited old friendships.
The adorable Harvey Evans was a regular at our events. He was charming and surprisingly shy and modest consideri
ng his 25+ year career in Broadway musicals. Also in attendance was the terrific actress-comedian Anne Meara, who was not a regular (we saw her husband Jerry Stiller more often—and a rather entitled presence he was—but that’s another story). Harvey hesitantly approached her, reintroducing himself. They had been featured in a long-ago television production of Dames at Sea, starring Ann-Margret—charming, but didn’t make much of a stir. Anne assured him she knew who he was, and started singing one of his numbers from the show “It’s You,” to which Harvey responded musically—and before you can say “Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney,” they were soft-shoeing across the room. Yes, I was in heaven.
Then Ronnie Whyte approached me. Now, the gifted jazz musician and I had a strange history. A few years earlier, while running one of my Any Wednesday events, one of my regulars asked about our feud. Yes, Ronnie and I had a 
vicious feud going on. With my cabaret series happening every Wednesday evening and his excellent series at St. Peter’s (the Jazz Church) happening every Wednesday afternoon, we were in a constant struggle to grab a bevy of artists first—or that was what I was told! In reality Ronnie and I had never met! We certainly had hosted the same performers , but on different weeks (I’m not sure anyone ever galloped across town to do both locations on the same day). Hard to feud with someone you’ve never spoken a word to (yes, I know about Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden – the exception to the rule). Well, when we finally did meet at a Bistro Awards show where we were both being honored, I mentioned our dramatic feud to him; he was first perplexed and then highly amused. And I guess that was the end of this deadly show biz feud.
So, Ronnie approached me on the night we were paying tribute to Sondra and asked if he could play our 
piano. No fool I, I instantly gave my consent. And so this genius sat down at the keys and improvised a Sondra Lee overture, with tunes from Hello, Dolly!, Peter Pan, and even a bit of High Button Shoes. Dazzling. And the woman of the hour was tremendously touched
Finally, Sondra took the stage. With great flair, she read from her book, told funny stories and answered questions from the audience. And then she signed books. Lots of books (lots more books sold in the store, which made my bosses very happy). Sondra Lee’s presence and the magic that grew up around her made everyone present very happy indeed. Including me.
