Described as an “unadulterated joy of a book...for anyone who loves music, lyrics, the theater, and of course the inimitable Cole Porter,” A Cole Porter Companion (University of Illinois Press, 2016) sets the stage for a recreation of Evergreen evenings long ago with the great Mr. Porter, his wife (and Alice Warder Garrett confidante) Linda, and their friends gathered about a piano. Hosted by the book’s co-editor, Susan Forscher Weiss, this evening entails little-known stories about the master tunesmith’s life and art, interspersed with performances of timeless Cole Porter songs.

Susan Forscher Weiss, musicology faculty member at the Peabody Conservatory, is joined by her fellow co-editor Matthew Shaftel, dean of Westminster College of the Arts at Rider University, and Cole Porter scholar Lynn Laitman Siebert, director of arts participation and communication at Morris Arts. Music performances by sopranos Melissa Wimbish and Sarah Berger, with pianist Choo Choo Hu.

Ticket includes a reception with wine and light hors d’oeuvres. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. Advance registration is strongly suggested due to limited seating.