The 2018-2019 Janet and Mark L. Goldenson Concert Series continues with Tony Award-nominee Sharon McNight in her critically-acclaimed one-woman show "Red Hot Mama - the Sophie Tucker Songbook." This biographical concert, written by McNight, chronicles the life and career of the first lady of show business, whose remarkable career spanned six decades. Sophie Tucker was a consummate performer on stage screen and radio, was part of the Ziegfield Follies early in her career, and in addition to her legendary artistry, was a great humanitarian.

Featuring the music and history of burlesque, vaudeville, Broadway and Las Vegas, the show features over two dozen songs made famous by Tucker including compositions by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, DeSylva & Brown, and Tucker's 1928 million-record-selling "My Yiddishe Mama." Musical Direction is by Richard Riccardi.

"Red Hot Mama" has received national critical acclaim. The Chicago Sun Timesraves, "Without missing a beat, McNight delivers a must-see show..."

The L.A. Times enthuses, "McNight gives the performance of a lifetime as the last of the red-hot mamas, belting with crystal-breaking authority and then pulling her readings down to intimate, hypnotically compelling whispers."

"McNight is Sophie, from the first naughty wisecrack to the final fun-loving wink," according to the Denver Post.

The San Francisco Examinersaid "McNight's manner captures Sophie perfectly and she drives home the lyrics with Tucker's inflections and power."