The Red Bank area boasts a large contingent of performers, with some relocating to the Two River area to take advantage of the bustling music scene. There are, however, many “home grown” luminaries, and Rumson’s own Lisa Sherman is certainly on that list. A true veteran of the entertainment industry, her vast experience and extraordinary talent keep her in the forefront of Shore area singers.
It seems that the stage was always meant to be for Sherman; she began singing as a child, and was awarded a dance scholarship to Adelphi University during her senior year at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional H.S. Her dedication and education led to a 13-year career on Broadway in various roles in some pretty big productions, like “West Side Story,” “A Chorus Line” and “Evita.” Throw in a four-year stint as a member of the celebrated Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, and one may say without doubt that Sherman’s time in New York was successful indeed. When not on the stage, Sherman was featured in national modeling campaigns for Maidenform and Members Only, and even landed a role on popular soap opera “Ryan’s Hope” for a time. Never resting on her laurels, Sherman decided to advance her education, and received her MS degree in dance/exercise kinesiology, and began her next chapter as a personal trainer.
Moving to Auckland, New Zealand in 1988 after marriage, Sherman created and hosted the Dow Power Hour, a five-day per week exercise program sponsored by Nike International. Returning to the U.S. in 1997, she continued her personal fitness training, and also returned to the stage. Concentrating on her vocal abilities now, Sherman has performed with some of the area’s finest acts, such as The Jazz Lobsters, South Side Johnny, Bobby Bandiera, Bob Burger and Marc Ribler.
Always thinking of new ideas, Sherman sought to put together her own shows. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but with the right members, she could get her projects off the ground, and perhaps even headline a show at the old Carlton Theatre (now The Count Basie Theatre). Sherman aspired to someday headline the Basie, and in 2012 her ambitions became reality with her appropriately titled show “Songbird.” While “Songbird” featured Sherman as a solo vocalist, she desired to expand her idea and present concerts that would also feature other female singers. Her shows can now include the incredible voices of Eryn Shewell, BethAnn Clayton, Layonne Holmes, Reagan Richards, Gladys Bryant and Jilly Sentino. In addition to her “Best of Bonnie Raitt,” and “Disco Connection” concerts, Sherman’s biggest project to date is the Decades of Divas show, which sells out every year. Alongside her “partner in crime,” Academy Award winning songwriter Franke Previte, Decades of Divas has developed into a full-fledged, Broadway caliber show, with a genuine production team and the finest regional musicians onstage.
Sherman recently presented her “Best of Bonnie Raitt” show at the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan to a packed house. Her musical director and lead guitarist Ralph Notaro led a fantastic group of musicians, with drummer Tom Cottone, Jerry Steele on guitar/pedal steel, Carl Gentry on keyboards and Buddy Allen on bass. The backup singers for this night, BethAnn Clayton and Gladys Bryant, were so much more than just backing singers; each woman performed several songs themselves, with Sherman happily providing backing vocals to them! Allowing others to share in the spotlight brings a nice variety to a show, and also reveals her selfless nature. As she does regularly, a portion of each ticket sold is donated to a worthy charity; this night it was the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, a program near and dear to Franke Previte’s heart. You see, Previte won his Academy Award for co-writing “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” for the smash movie “Dirty Dancing,” and became friends with star Patrick Swayze, who passed away in 2009 of pancreatic cancer. After conferring with Swayze’s wife, Lisa, he decided to dedicate time and monies to the PCAN to help in the fight for a cure.
Lisa Sherman (www.lisa-sherman.com) continues to work hard with positive energy, both in her personal training business and on stage. Who knows what’s next, but there has been contact with Broadway playwright Mark Medoff, so perhaps a future return to NYC is in the cards. Whatever happens, you must catch a Lisa Sherman show and experience a true songbird, in full flight.
Chris Spiewak is currently the bassist for Rock/Blues cover group VyntEdge.
