Benny Benack III Matt Baker
Gateway Playhouse will launch a new partnership with the South Jersey Jazz Society on Saturday.
Emmy-nominated trumpeter Benny Benack III and Broadway’s Khailah Johnson blend Jazz’s biggest hits with Broadway’s hottest tunes in “Some Enchanted Evening.”
Benack has been a leading voice in Jazz for years, even though he's only in his early 30s. He’s headlined clubs and festivals around the world on the heels of his latest critically acclaimed album, “Third Time’s the Charm,” which rose to No. 2 on JazzWeek International Radio Charts in 2023.
He is a fiery trumpeter who can play anything from Freddie Hubbard to Louis Armstrong and everyone in between.
“I had heard about Benny, but I never worked with him,” Artistic Director Joe Donofrio said. “Then I finally got to see him perform live. He knocked me out. I was so impressed. Not only by him as a musician, but as a well-versed entertainer.”
Benack has spanned the globe with various musical artists with his “Some Enchanted Evening” show, receiving rave reviews wherever he goes. For the Gateway performance, he will pair with Johnson, who currently performs in the hit Broadway show “& Juliet.”
Khailah Johnson“Some Enchanted Evening,” explores The Great American Songbook’s most enduring hits from the Golden Age of Broadway and the Silver Screen, such as “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Sound of Music,” “Guys & Dolls,” “Oliver!” and “Hamilton,” all while paying homage to the enduring legacy of some of the most beloved songs ever written by some of the world’s most renowned songwriters.
While SJJS has produced shows at the Gateway before, this is the first time the two entities are fully co-producing, and they are already entertaining additional shows moving forward.
“We are so excited to be able to bring such extraordinary music to our stage,” Executive Director Alice Woods said. “By bringing our two groups together, we can pool our resources to attract the next level of regional and New York talent. It just strengthens our message that Gateway Playhouse is the venue for arts and entertainment in South Jersey.”
“Some Enchanted Evening” will take place 7 p.m. Saturday at Gateway Playhouse. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at GatewayByTheBay.org or by calling the Karen S. Sutherland Box Office at 609-653-0553.
Snacks and beverages (sodas, wine, beer, and cocktails) will be available for purchase in the lobby.
Gateway Playhouse is located at 738 Bay Ave. in Somers Point. Go to GatewayByTheBay.org for more.
