Last year while attending the Newport Beach Film Festival I had the good fortune to experience one of those rare magical evenings that only come along once-in-a-lifetime. You know, the kind of night you go out with your spouse and friends and the stars align – everyone is in a great mood, the food and drinks are great, the company is perfect and the entertainment is unforgettable.

It occurred in the Palm Garden of The Island Hotel Newport Beach. The festival was sponsoring a gala reception and concert with Academy Award winning composer Richard M. Sherman. Now you may not know his name immediately, but his songbook (created in collaboration with his brother Robert), literally provided the soundtrack to our childhoods – songs for such films as The Parent Trap, Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, The AristoCats, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, (and for good or bad – they also wrote the song “It’s a Small World”).

Mr. Sherman was charming and regaled the audience with performances of his many hits along with the often-humorous stories behind each tune. Everyone seemed to be able to pick out a favorite or two (or three or more). It was an outstanding evening and those of us in attendance I think all intrinsically realized we had just witnessed pure magic on the stage.
This year the festival is again hosting a gala reception and concert, this time with Oscar nominated film composer and Tony and Grammy Award winner Marc Shaiman.

Again, you may not know his name right off the top of your head but you definitely have enjoyed his work. Shaiman is best known as the award-winning composer/lyricist for the hit Broadway show “Hairspray” (along with the recent hit movie adaptation). 

A five-time Oscar nominee (Sleepless in Seattle, The American President, The First Wives Club, Patch Adams, and South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut) Shaiman is sure to highlight his film score and song credits, which also include such hit films as When Harry Met Sally, Beaches (partially filmed in Newport Beach), Misery, City Slickers, A Few Good Men, Sister Act, The Bucket List and, of course, Hairspray.

Shaiman is allegedly known for his wicked sense of humor. This is no surprise considering he used to write for “Saturday Night Live” and co-wrote Billy Crystal’s classic movie title song medley for the Academy Awards.

It promises to be another great evening. I would encourage anyone who’s looking for a singularly unique evening (at very reasonable ticket prices) to indulge in “A Little Hollywood Night Music” with Marc Shaiman. The festival should be congratulated for presenting this little-know gen of events within the festival.