Keith Spencer
Keith Spencer has pursued his love of the stage and concert performance in many Philadelphia-area professional venues including Bristol Riverside Theatre, Act II Playhouse, The Prince Music Theatre, Hedgerow Theatre, and The Broadway Theatre of Pitman. National tour highlights include the Broadway Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Music of the Night with Betty Buckley and Melissa Manchester. For several seasons, Keith has enjoyed being part of Bristol Riverside Theatre’s Summer Concert Series, including one-man-show performances in the hit Nat “King” Cole tribute, For Sentimental Reasons, the big band Cole Porter revue, Too Darn Hot!, and most recently, Ol’ Man River: A Tribute to the African-American Leading Men of Broadway.
Recently, Keith performed his tour-de-force one-person concert experience, Brothers on Broadway – A Celebration of Broadway’s African-American Leading Men with the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey to rave reviews and record-breaking audiences. Brothers on Broadway is one of a series of concert works Mr. Spencer has staged that highlight the African-American experience and celebrate Black artists. Other works in the series include:
We Shall Not Be Moved – Songs & Speeches from the Civil Rights Movement
The Robeson Songbook – A Negro Spiritual Celebration of the Music of Paul Robeson
That Old Black Magic – Celebrating the “Cool“ of Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis, Jr., Billy Eckstine, and Johnny Hartman
The newest addition to the series is Lord, Write My Name – From Slavery to Freedom: The Gospel and the African American Experience in Spirituals. Lord, Write My Name is an inspirational blend of African American Spirituals interspersed with narratives, poetry, and letters penned by freed slaves and iconic Black figures throughout history.
Performances from this series have received rave reviews from audiences of every color and demographic. Keith had the opportunity to present concert selections on WRTI 90.1FM Philadelphia as part of their LIVE In-Studio Performance Series.
Outside the theatrical stage, Keith has had the honor of singing concert-stage backup vocals for distinguished artists such as Roberta Flack, Rosemary Clooney, and Sandi Patty. He was a featured soloist with Walt Disney World's premier acappella ensemble, Voices of Liberty, in Orlando, Florida.
Keith is in demand for many theatrical, concert, and cabaret-style performances.
Custom programs are available!
In addition, Mr. Spencer’s packaged programs include:
Too Darn Hot! – Songs from Cole Porter and Friends Cole Porter music always excites and delights with the warmth, wisdom and wit of his clever and soaring melodies. Focused on the heart and beauty of the Great American Songbook, this program presents Cole Porter’s music and selections from several of his contemporaries. Too Darn Hot features a twelve-piece big band orchestra. Smaller ensembles can be arranged upon request.
Some Enchanted Evening – A Rodgers and Hammerstein Tribute A musical tribute to the legendary duo of the Great White Way who created a string of popular Broadway musicals in the 1940s and 1950s that initiated the Golden Age of Musical Theatre. This program celebrates their most famous shows and the music that brought them to life.
Brothers on Broadway – A Celebration of African-American Leading Men on Broadway This one-man show is a celebratory tribute to Broadway’s African-American leading men, highlighting the concert works and musical theater performances of artists such as Paul Robeson, Todd Duncan, Ben Vereen, Sammy Davis, Jr., Gregory Hines, Norm Lewis and others.
It’s De-Lovely! Crafted for the romantic in all of us, It’s De-lovely! presents the music of Cole Porter in an intimate setting featuring Keith Spencer and his wife, soprano, Amy Spencer, with solo piano accompaniment. *Perfect for Valentine’s Day celebrations and musical programming.
Sammy & Friends – The Music of Sammy Davis, Jr. Singer, dancer, actor, comedian, instrumentalist…there was only one Sammy Davis, Jr. This program celebrates some of Sammy’s best known material from his days on the Vegas strip with the Rat Pack as well as his more intimate balladeer moments.
We Shall Not Be Moved! – Songs from the Civil Rights Movement From the mournful call of the Negro spiritual to the cry of protest and purpose that signifies the African-American experience from the mid-1950s to late 1960s, We Shall Not Be Moved is an hour-long concert presentation focusing on the music that captured the essence of the Civil Rights Movement.
* Perfect for African American History Month, educational series, and other cultural celebrations.
This is the Moment – A Broadway Spectacular Broadway has produced countless show-stopping numbers for leading men. This program highlights some of the most recognized and heralded songs from contemporary as well as classic musicals.
If I Got My Ticket – A Negro Spiritual and Gospel Celebration The gospel genre has roots set deep in the faith, depth and mournful promise of the Negro spiritual. This program presents a wide selection of well-known and best-loved spirituals in a stirring concert presentation. *Ideal for African American History Month, educational series, and other cultural occasions.
Over the Rainbow – Songs from the Harold Arlen Songbook This program features Arlen’s best known material as well as lesser-known enchanting melodies. While most know him for the timeless tunes in The Wizard of Oz, there is oh-so-much-more to love.
For Sentimental Reasons – Songs from the Nat King Cole Songbook A tribute to the “unforgettable” Nat “King” Cole and the songs he sang. If you love the era, the style, the man and the music, this program promises to be a wonderful experience
Something to Live For – A Tribute to the Duke This program celebrates the jazziest, “swingin’-est” and most enchanting songs from none other than the masterful Duke Ellington.
Testimonials
"What a true treat it was to have Keith perform his original program of 'We Shall Not Be Moved' at the Zlock Performing Arts Center. His powerful performance left attendees with an educational truth that is the fabric of our cultural history, and smiles on their hearts. A true class act! We can’t wait to have him back again!!!!"
Pete Chiovarou,
Director, Community Programming
& College Events, Advancement,
Bucks County Community College
"I was captivated, thrilled, educated, amazed, and in awe of the performance of this unbelievably talented singer/actor – Keith Spencer. I definitely give this program a rating of A+++ in every category important for this event: extent I was educated on the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, manner of presentation, likeability of performer, quality of singing, audience involvement, sound quality, selection of music, blending of narrative with songs, clarity of oral presentation, background of each song, and emotion of singing. This concert/lecture is indelibly marked in my brain and soul, and I will never forget it."
Mel Berman,
Talent booker for Forever Young at Shir Ami Synagogue and the Leisure Club
“A capacity audience thoroughly enjoyed Keith Spencer's performance, We Shall Not Be Moved!,
at the Mercer Museum. His strong vocals, poignant readings and recitations, and compelling stage presence powerfully evoked the struggles, triumphs and tragedies of the Civil Rights Era. Everyone left the inspirational concert with the music of the era ringing in their ears!”
Cory Amsler,
Vice President, Collections and Interpretation, Mercer Museum/Bucks County Historical Society
“Keith performed one of the most moving programs we have ever had here at Pine Run Community. The audience was mesmerized by his vocals and enjoyed his stories of the freedom movement. People were drawn to the room where Keith was performing. Even if they weren't planning on attending, they couldn't help but come in and sit down to listen to this marvelous singer!!!”
Ceil Krajewski,
Director of Life Enrichment, Pine Run Village
“When I booked Keith for a performance, I knew he would be good. I know people had seen him before. But, I really didn’t know how good he would be. He was fabulous. His vocal range, his rendition of the songs and the way he moved on the stage was smooth as silk. I liked that he came off the stage and walked around the audience.
During the performance, it began to rain so hard that the sounds on our roof could have been a distraction. However, he smiled and looked up. That made us laugh! I am looking forward to booking Keith again.”
Elana Berlinger, Chairperson, Program Committee Meadow Lakes, East Windsor NJ