The audience at Clackamas Repertory Theatre’s (CRT) August production of “The Melody Lingers On” is sure to recognize some of the featured music written by Irving Berlin, even if they didn’t realize he’s behind the tune. Berlin wrote more than 1,500 songs in his life, with some of the more popular including
“White Christmas,” “God Bless America,” “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and songs for

the musical “Annie Get Your Gun,” including “No Business Like Show
Business.”

“It’s one of those shows that I think people are going to be dancing out of the
theater,” said the director, David Smith-English, noting the show includes 46
of Berlin’s songs.

The production also offers some stories of the man behind all the music, with
some pithy dialogue between songs about Berlin and the significant moments
of his life. Smith-English added he wasn’t too familiar with Berlin until he saw
a one man show at Portland Center Stage last year, which featured some of
the same stories presented in “The Melody Lingers On.”

“The show kind of works through Irving Berlin’s life and gives you insights into
where these songs came from, why he was writing them and what was
happening in his life that was so personal,” Smith-English said.

Berlin arrived in America when he was five years old after his family fled
Eastern Europe and the persecution of Jews at the time. He grew up in
Brooklyn, but never had any formal training despite his success in the music
industry. He served as an entertainer for troops during both World War I and
World War II and displayed a strong sense of patriotism that Smith-English
appreciates.

“In my sense of thinking, it’s the finest kind of patriotism, because he loved
what the country gave him, the opportunity it gave him,” he said. “He loved
the people; he wanted to bring people together. He wasn’t beating people up,
but bringing together.”

Smith-English noted that Berlin was concerned about religious persecution
and racism, adding that Berlin brought the first black woman to a Broadway
stage with Ethel Waters singing in “Suppertime” about a wife who had just
learned her husband had been lynched.

“It’s a pretty moving piece,” Smith-English said. “These are some of the
things that are revealed in the show as you go along. He is remarkable.”
The show features five men and five women who are some renowned singers,
including Mont Chris Hubbard, Susannah Mars, Merideth Kaye Clark,
LaRhonda Steele and Don Kenneth Mason, choreography by Wesley “Angel”
Hanson and a six-piece band directed by Lars Campbell.

“I think it’s a show that people are really going to enjoy,” Smith-English said.
CRT presents “Irving Berlin’s The Melody Lingers On,” directed by David
Smith-English, from Thursday, Aug. 3 through Sunday, Aug. 27, at the
Niemeyer Center on the Oregon City campus of Clackamas Community
College, 19600 Molalla Avenue in Oregon City. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Ticket prices are
from $20-$36. For more information, visit clackamasrep.org or call 503-594-
6047.

Sandy Summer Sounds and Starlight Cinema continues a summer of free
entertainment with a final performance for the Sunday Sounds at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 6, at the Theater in the Woods in Sandy’s Meinig Park, 17670
Meinig Avenue, featuring the Talbott Brothers, an alternative folk-rock duo.

Meanwhile, Wednesday Sounds kick off with the Sandy Hops & Blues Festival
from 5:30-9:30 Wednesday, Aug. 2 at the Dale Nichols Main Stage in Meinig
Park. The event features Hillstomp, an American punk blues duo, and Too
Slim and the Taildraggers, a “whiskey” blues band, and the audience can
bring a picnic or purchase food from Busy Bee Catering and Red Shed.

Wednesday Sounds will continue each week in August, with concerts from
6:30-8:30 p.m. featuring country/folk music from Kory Quinn & The
Quinntessentials on Aug. 9, funk/soul/rock guitar player Scott Pemberton on
Aug. 16, choral pop by Uplifting on Aug. 23 and Latin band Pura Vida
Orquestra on Aug. 30.

The Starlight Cinema will offer family friendly movies at the Dale Nichols Main
Stage every Saturday in August, starting at dusk. Audience members can
bring a blanket or some lawn chairs. Movies include “Moana” on Aug. 5, “Lego
Batman” on Aug. 12, “Pete’s Dragon” on Aug. 19 and “A Dog’s Purpose” on
Aug. 26.

In case of rain, concerts will move to the Sandy Community Center, 38348
Pioneer Blvd., while festivals and movies will go on as planned (bring a
raincoat or an umbrella).

For more information on Sandy Summer Sounds and Starlight Cinema, visit
http://www.ci.sandy.or.us/Sandy-Summer-Sounds-Starlight-Cinema/