Muses’ summer concert, “My Heart Belongs to Daddy,” to be held in Anthony Chapel on June 17

Jeanne Bennett

The Muses will present their second seasonal concert in the subscription series, “The Four Seasons in Art & Song” at Garvan Woodland Gardens’ Anthony Chapel, at 3 p.m. on Father’s Day, June 17, in a performance aptly titled “My Heart Belongs to Daddy."

This summer concert will sparkle with Broadway tunes and other popular standards, including songs from "Le Mis,"  "South Pacific,"  "Camelot,"  "Guys & Dolls,"  "Fiddler on the Roof," "Sound of Music," "Pippen," "Cats," and others.  Professional Broadway singer Jeanne Bennett joins Hot Springs’ Muses Deleen Davidson, Steve Suter, Clyde Pound and Louis Menendez for this distinctive presentation of musical theater favorites.

Bennett is a veteran performer of music theater.  As a member of Broadway National Tours, she has appeared as Fantine in "Les Miserables," Edwin in "The Mystery Of Edwin Drood," "South Pacific" with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden; and "Brigadoon" with John Schneider.  In New York she performed in the off-Broadway productions of "Starting Here, Starting Now" and "Three Postcards" at the Circle Rep Theatre. Jeanne has also played Tuptim in "The King and I" at the North Carolina Repertory Theatre.  Recently, Jeanne portrayed Stella Deems in Stephen Sondheim’s "Follies" at the Caldwell Theatre in Boca Raton, Fl as well as Marjorie Merriweather Post in the Palm Beach Centennial Follies in Palm Beach, Fl.  Jeanne is currently an actor at the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Television.   She and her husband, Rabbi Richard Chapin, are part-time Hot Springs residents. 

Bennett recently delighted the Hot Springs audience when she performed with the Muses at a Cabaret performance on May 12 which benefited the arts organization and the Congregation of Israel Temple.  “I am delighted to have the opportunity once again to sing with the Muses in the glorious setting of Anthony Chapel at Garvan Gardens. It is the perfect place to usher in the summer season.”

Davidson’s musical theatre experience began at age 10, as a gingerbread child in a church summer production of Hansel & Gretel.  “I really wanted to be the Sand Fairy, because she wore pointe shoes, and a blue tutu,” Davidson said.  But her career quickly advanced through high school and college to playing principal roles with professional companies, also working as stage director and choreographer.  Her credits include" Evita", "Scrooge", "Man of LaMancha," "Sweeney Todd,"  "Hello,Dolly!" "Annie," "Sound of Music," "Pippin," "Barnum," "Oklahoma"," Guys & Dolls," among many others.

The Muses Creative Artistry Project, a non-profit arts organization designed to promote music, art, creativity and wellness, was founded in 2007 when Davidson relocated to Hot Springs from New Orleans after her home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.  Each year, the Muses brings performers from across the country to entertain audiences throughout Arkansas with world-class operas and a variety of musical and artistic performances.

Series tickets for the final three concerts are still available for $60, a $20 savings over individual prices of $25 per concert.  Advance tickets are encouraged, as several of last year’s concerts were sold out in advance.

For more information, contact the Muses at (501) 463-4514 or www.themusesproject.org.  Or, stop by the Muses’ Three Arts Café and Bookstore, located in the lobby of the Hale Bathhouse in beautiful, historic downtown Hot Springs.