Duo Entertains with Holiday Tunes at Mineola Library

Mineola and Shelter Rock residents gathered at the on Saturday afternoon to take pleasure in the first of many joint programming ventures between the two libraries while the Shelter Rock library undergoes renovations. About 50 guests were treated to a performance by Jeanette Reynolds and Tony Castano, who sang a variety of songs in their show, "Happy Holidays: A Celebration of the Best of Broadway."

"Mineola has been great," Shelter Rock Library Program Coordinator Susan Healy said. "It is nice that we have a shared program here and they have been very accommodating during our renovation. This is the first of many programs we are doing together. This is also the first that has celebrated the holidays. It is wonderful – a nice show of solidarity and community spirit this time of year."

Reynolds, a soprano, and Castano, a baritone, sang an elevating selection of songs with accompaniment from pianist Karl Schwarz. The group charmed the audience with selections from the musical, "The Christmas Carol" and "The Boyfriend", along with "White Christmas," "I've Got a Crush on You," "Silver Bells" and "Baby It's Cold Outside."

"We have three shows that we do, this one being the holiday version of our signature show, 'It's Never too Late to Fall in Love'," Reynolds said. "It is about a man and a woman who meet each other a little later in life and have a romance. This show features all of the wonderful composers of Broadway."

Castano and Reynolds began singing together six years ago and generally perform in libraries, senior centers and other cabaret venues. They have three shows that they run simultaneously, including one called "George and Ira Gershwin, Here to Stay."

"We have been performing the Gershwin show and people love it since Gershwin's music is so popular in America," Reynolds explained.

The duo uses a variety of music from great composers, such as Frank Loessor, George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and Julie Stein in their shows, taking pride in paying tribute to the legendary musicians of Broadway past and present. "We just like to express appreciation for the composers," Castano said in regards to how sometimes people forget where the music originates.

Schwarz, a Deer Park resident who also owns an entertainment company, met Tony in 1984 while doing a show together. "I have been with Tony and Jeanette for three or four years now," he said. "We do great, timeless music."

The program ended with holiday classics, "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "The Christmas Song." Afterwards, guests went up to congratulate and compliment Jeanette, Tony and Karl on a wonderful performance. "It is nice that we can sing this type of material this time of year because it lifts people's spirits," Castano said.