Dinner and a show — as hackneyed as it may sound — is always a good combination, and no more so than when it’s timed to Valentine’s Day. Add a couple of Grammy-winning performers, an unexpected location, and dinner courtesy of a favorite Litchfield County caterer, and it sounds like a pretty unbeatable date night.

On Sunday, Feb. 16, ASAP! (After School Arts Program) is presenting “Children Will Listen, A Valentine’s Weekend Cabaret Celebrating Love and Life.” Headlining the evening — titled after the iconic Sondheim song — are three of today’s top-tier Great American Song Book interpreters: Grammy-winning pianist and arranger Billy Stritch, Tony nominee and cabaret royalty Sally Mayes, and nine-time Grammy winner Cheryl Bentyne from The Manhattan Transfer.

A stellar lineup like that demands a suitably splendid location, and Litchfield Distillery, a supporter of the local arts community, offered its “still room” as a speakeasy sort of venue. A working space where the distiller’s signature spirits are created, it’ll be transformed into a romantic, swinging nightclub seating just 100 people. The night begins with cocktails, followed by a gourmet meal provided by Carole Peck prior to the show.

ASAP!, which just celebrated its 20th year, offers innovative education programs for pre-k through adult learners in the literary, performing, visual and culinary arts. A mid-winter fundraiser was going to have to be an exceptional experience, organizers knew, in keeping with ASAP!’s emphasis on creativity. PR exec Andrew Freedman had attended the 20th anniversary celebration (itself an explosion of inclusivity and talent) and was touched by what he witnessed. New to the ASAP! board, he wanted to contribute, and he was just the man to do it: His public relations firm handles celebrity clients, many of them Broadway stars. He’s also produced cabaret concerts, and suggested one for the organization, with the idea of connecting to young people through the power of words. Hence, “Children Will Listen.”

“There were artists, clients or personal friends who I knew would respond to what we’re trying to do,” said Freedman. “While we wanted to do something of interest to an adult audience, we also wanted to include students in the experience. Billy Stritch and Sally Mayes are going to work with kids from the Waterbury Arts Magnet School the Saturday before.”

Besides the obvious reference to Valentine’s Day, the music was chosen to honor “the love that it takes to raise our children with compassion, creativity, empathy and resiliency,” said JoAnne Torti, ASAP! executive director.

Tickets sales have been coming not just from regular ASAP supporters, Freedman said, but from people who are simply attracted to the star power that’ll be lighting up Litchfield.

“We wanted to bring the type of talent you see in the city up here to a place of tranquility,” he said. “If it’s successful, we might turn it into a series.”

ASAP! Presents Children Will Listen: A Valentine’s Cabaret
Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.
The Litchfield Distillery
569 Bantam Rd., Litchfield, CT
Tickets: $225 each (limited capacity)    

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