Tony Bennett- We will miss you”

The Summer of 1961, I was hired by Herb Rogers to work at his Music Theater, a tent playhouse in Highland Park where musicals were done during the summer months. I met Mr. Rogers when he came to see another performer in the Glenbrook High School ( there was only one school back in 1960) in “Damn Yankees”. I played Applegate the Devil for 2 performances and a junior named Frank Galati on the other performance. He had wanted me for 1960, but I had committed to another theater for that summer, so 1961 was my year.

The first show of the summer, “Guys and Dolls” featuring Ray Raynor ( WGN fame) and a crooner, making his first-ever stage appearance, Tony Bennett. I also was able to drive, so part of my job was to be his driver for his weeks in Highland Park. I got to drive a snazzy 1961 Red Oldsmobile convertible. I drove down to Midway Airport to pick him up along with Ralph Sharon, his musical director. I brought him to the Villa Moderne, the hotel on Skokie Boulevard next to the theater.

For two weeks, I was his driver, his dresser and his “go for”. Once we were into tech, my job involved moving set pieces on and off stage as well as singing in chorus songs. This was theater -in-the-round where everything was moved through the aisles. Spending as much time as I did, we got to know each other fairy well. While Tony was a great vocalist and song stylist, he was not much of an actor. Sky Masterson is a lead role with lots of importance to the play and while he was not Robert Alda ( the original) I will say that his character was far better than that of Marlon Brando ( the film). I think he would thank me for my assistance.

That fall, after the summer stock season, I went to work at The Happy Medium doing a show called “Medium Rare” where I got to meet and work with people like Burt Valencourt, Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Bob Dishey , Tom Williams and many more. In November of 61, Tony played The Living Room on Rush Street ( just down the street from The Happy Medium) and when he saw me in the audience, called me up to sing “Luck be a Lady” with him.

As Tony went on to do great things, while I lived my normal life, I watched him with a warm feeling. As a reviewer I was able to see him pretty much every year at Ravinia and one day, when Jane and I were in Manhattan, Tony got on an elevator we were on and said “Bobby , how are you?- and hugged me ( my stage name was Bobby Allen). Jane never knew the background, so this was a special moment for our relationship.

This amazing man is now gone, but his music will be around for as long as people continue to admire his work. While his big song was ” i Left My Heart in San Francisco”, as far as I am concerned, his memory will forever be a blessing in my heart. Love you and miss you Tony!