Cole Porter & the Great American Songbook, October 6, 2:00PM

The witty and urbane Cole Porter joyfully pushed the envelope of musical theater in the 1920s, 30s and 40s with ultra-sophisticated, often risqué songs banned by the censors and adored by theatergoers. Unlike most of the 20th century’s great songwriters, Porter grew up in a world of unbelievable wealth and privilege that included Yale, Harvard and astonishingly lavish travel. Yet beneath his socially perfect public persona was a hidden private life that influenced nearly all of his music and lyrics.

Broadway stars Sally Wilfert and Michael Winther join Rob Kapilow for a sparkling musical tour through Porter’s extraordinary life and career, as they take a fresh look at Porter’s complex highbrow/lowbrow sensibility in classic songs like “You’re the Top,” “Night and Day,” “All Through the Night” and “Begin the Beguine."

What makes great music great? Through his concert presentations, commentaries on National Public Radio’s Performance Today and CD series, Rob Kapilow takes listeners inside the music: he unravels, slows down, and recomposes key passages to hear why a piece is so extraordinary. Theatermania.com calls Rob Kapilow’s engaging commentaries “a knockout combination of entertainment and education.” Great music rewards great listeners, and Rob Kapilow’s What Makes It Great? is about great listening.

Check out this preview.

"Irresistible. Kapilow is as lively as a top-flight sports announcer and as entertaining as a stand-up comedian. But he's also got substance in spades." —Kansas City Star.

Live Arts at the Morris Museum is an innovative new series of performances which will complement the Museum's exhibitions, presenting artists working across mediums with productions in music, dance and theatre. In addition to our popular Jazz showcase, Film Programs and entertainments like What Makes It Great, this new series provides new experiences and sparks new conversations. Taking place primarily at The Bickford Theatre, productions will also utilize the Museum as a performance venue from time to time with site-specific performances. Experience emerging and established artists who work defies conventions and expectations.

More LiveArts

• The Other Mozart, October 18 - 20, 2019
• Wave Upon Wave, November 3, 2019
• Trouble will Find Me: Remixed, November 21 - 23, 2019
• Music from the Suitcase, December 21 - 22, 2019
• Horizon, January 17-18, 2020
• Lighting the Dark & Automatoys, March 13-14, 2020
• Inflatable Space, April 10-11, 2020
• What Makes it Great: Beethovan's Appasionata Sonata, April 19. 2020
• Science Fair: An Opera with Experiments, April 24-25, 2020

About the Morris Museum

Founded in 1913, the Morris Museum is an award-winning, community-based arts and cultural institution serving the public through its exhibitions in the arts, sciences and humanities. The Museum is home to the historic and internationally-significant Murtogh D. Guinness Collection of Mechanical Musical Instruments and Automata. Changing exhibits of contemporary content also explore the Guinness themes of art, sound, and motion. The adjacent Bickford Theatre is the museum's 312-seat performing-arts facility, offering unique programming, often related to the museum's exhibition themes. Continuously serving the public since 1913, the Morris Museum has a proud tradition of innovative educational programs and family events. The first museum in New Jersey to be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, it has been designated a Major Arts Institution and has received the New Jersey State Council on the Arts' Citation of Excellence, among other awards.

The Morris Museum is a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Morris Museum offers free admission to military personnel all year long.

Location and Hours
The Museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road (at the corner of Columbia Turnpike) in Morristown, NJ, and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday, 12:00 to 5:00pm. In addition, the Museum is open evenings from 5:00 to 8:00pm on the second and third Thursday of the month. Admission to the Museum is $10 for adults and $7 for children, students and senior citizens. Admission is always free for Museum members. For more information, call (973) 971-3700, or visit morrismuseum.org