Review by Eyal Solomon…
It’s easy to dismiss animated movie songs as mere children’s music—after all, most animated films top out at a PG-13 rating. But crafting music for younger audiences doesn’t diminish the artistry, as evidenced by the number of animated movie tunes that have become bona fide jazz and cabaret standards. A carefully curated selection of such songs was brought to life by the talented ensemble of 54 Sings Animated Movies Through the Decades, helmed by performer and producer Auna Kemp.



For Kemp, this project was a labor of love, years in the making. And as such, she went for broke, in both the number of performers–ten singers and seven band members–and, I can only assume, financially.
The evening’s setlist spanned nearly a century, with songs representing every decade from the 1940s (kicking off with “When You Wish Upon a Star” from Pinocchio) to the 2000s. While the ’80s and ’90s got extra love, the selections struck a balance between beloved sing-along hits, like “I Wan’na Be Like You” from The Jungle Book, and deeper cuts such as “Far Longer than Forever” from The Swan Princess. This thoughtful variety kept the performance from becoming just another jazzy greatest-hits revue. There’s a particular magic in rediscovering a forgotten gem or hearing a song for the first time that no reinterpretation of a classic can replicate.


The cast showcased an impressive array of vocal styles, from operatic to soulful to ethereal. Highlights included Charly Kay’s electrifying take on “Zero to Hero” from Hercules and the poignant duet of “Somewhere Out There” from An American Tail by baritone Jake Letts and Kemp herself. Most songs were performed collaboratively, with none feeling out of place. The band, led by musical director and trumpeter Gordon Au, deftly navigated the show’s journey through decades and genres, anchoring the evening with impeccable musicianship.
Cast: Auna Kemp, Charly Kay, George Krissa, JADA, Jake Letts, Jillian Paige, Oliver Richman, Robert Kemp, Tenzin Malaika-Huisman, Toby Lightman
Band (The Grand St. Stompers): Gordon Au – Musical director, trumpet; Ricky Alexander – soprano sax, tenor sax; Jon Weber – piano; Nick Russo – guitar, banjo; Jen Hodge – acoustic bass; Andrew Millar – drums; Violin – Hope DiMaria

