The Song and Dance Man

Jon Peterson Talks Upcoming Miami Show

by Troy Maillis

The classic, iconic stars of old Hollywood represent everything that is, or should be, glitz, glamour and raw talent. From Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly to Sammy Davis, Jr. and Bobby Darrin, audiences were treated to song and dance numbers delivering the utmost in creativity and charisma—the whole package. With the current entertainment industry so hell-bent on producing shows like Dancing With The Stars and American Idol, the performers from the ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’ have taken a back seat to what is considered ‘entertainment’. Or have they? Jon Peterson, whose credits include Cats and Cabaret, brings “Song Man Dance Man” to the Miami Beach Stage Door starting Saturday, September 10^th.  Peterson’s show is a celebration of seven song-and-dance artists from the past whose gifts kept their audiences coming back for more.  The British-born song and dance man recently spoke with Mark’s List about his show, working with Teri Hatcher in Cabaret and what's lacking in today's world of performing.

You are currently performing “Song Man Dance Man” in Coral Springs. Are you excited to get started in Miami?

Yes. Coral Springs keeps getting extended, so we are going to be doing split weeks with Coral Springs and Miami.

Let’s talk about the show. 

The show has song and dance numbers from Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Bobby Darrin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Donald O’Connor, Anthony Newley and George M. Cohan.  They were all inspired by one another and some of them worked together.  They were almost kind of like one being, but each had his own uniqueness. During the show I sing songs that help tell each of their stories.

Do you have a favorite of the seven of the performers?

I think my secret favorite would be Anthony Newley—he always really inspired me.  He was so brilliant and he wrote so much stuff as well as performed it. He wrote musicals and songs, and it was just incredible.

Were you inspired from an early age? Was this kind of performing something you always knew you wanted to do?

Yes, it was.  As soon as I could hold a thought I wanted to be Gene Kelly. I went to ballet school, which was really good training—a great foundation.

Performing in Cats in London, was it always a goal of yours to perform in America?

In the beginning, I came over here to do some assisting work and choreography. While I was working I just happened to audition for Cabaret and I got the part.  Well, it was originally cast with someone else and they needed a replacement and then that’s when I got the call.

You worked with Teri Hatcher back in 2000 when you first did Cabaret. Did you keep in contact with her after her success on Desperate Housewives?

No—she was completely unapproachable [laughs]. She was nice and quite fantastic in the role, and a lot of people did make friends with her on the tour; but I was having too much fun to worry about trying to make friends with Teri Hatcher.

Do you think performances in today’s entertainment world are missing that “whole-package” aspect of what Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire could deliver?

Absolutely.  To be that good now is really difficult. Anybody can walk in off the street and try to sing or dance, but to hone a craft is unacceptable these days. The performers now lack that charisma and overall brilliance. Those people [Kelly and Astaire] would never have gotten jobs now [laughs]. There’s not really anyone out there who inspires me now.  I have to look back to find my inspiration.

How much longer will you perform “Song Man Dance Man” and what are some of your future endeavors?

I have a few gigs that I’ve agreed to over the next 18 months. I’ll set a deadline for 2013 for “Song Man Dance Man” and go from there.  I still do other musicals and I will take on more projects as they come along. As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that I’m not as hungry as I used to be when it comes to doing shows. I do yoga, so that will help supplement me in between periods; but we will see what happens.