The Songbook of Julie Andrews
Whistling Away The Dark
"Excellent Julie Andrews Tribute" - WALL STREET JOURNAL
“Shana Farr is simply scintillating vocal perfection. What a discovery!”
★★★★★
— Jonathan Baz, London
Program at a Glance
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Available as a 70- or 90-minute theatrical concert
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Voice and piano
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Optional instrumentation: piano, cello, and bass
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Performed by Shana Farr
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Arrangements by Fred Barton
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Presented in New York, London, and throughout the United States
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Available for performing arts centers, concert series, orchestras, supper clubs, and special engagements
“Farr is a tour de force of singing ability and interpretation.”— Cabaret Scenes, London
The Show
Whistling Away the Dark: The Songbook of Julie Andrews is a theatrical celebration of one of Broadway and Hollywood’s most beloved performers. Through songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, the Sherman Brothers, Henry Mancini, Noël Coward, Arthur Schwartz, and more, Shana Farr traces Andrews’s extraordinary journey from young English prodigy to international icon.
With soaring vocals, warmth, humor, and personal storytelling, Shana brings her own distinctive interpretations to songs synonymous with Andrews, alongside beautiful, lesser-known gems. The result is an uplifting and deeply personal tribute to Julie Andrews’s enduring influence on Broadway, Hollywood, and generations of audiences.
The program has played sold-out engagements at Feinstein’s at the Regency, 54 Below, The Players, and the Metropolitan Room in New York; Crazy Coqs and The Pheasantry in London; and venues throughout the United States. Its London engagements received two five-star reviews.
Fred Barton’s lush arrangements complement Shana’s voice and give the program a full, elegant sound.
Shana Farr
Shana Farr is an award-winning singer, actress, and concert artist known for bringing theatrical depth and elegant interpretation to the Great American Songbook. She has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 54 Below, Birdland, and London’s Crazy Coqs and The Pheasantry. Her honors include a Bistro Award, the Mabel Mercer Foundation’s Julie Wilson Award, and the Donald F. Smith Award. READ SHANA’S FULL BIO →
Photo: Stephanie Farr
The Creative Team
Music Director and arranger Fred Barton is an acclaimed composer, lyricist, conductor, pianist, performer, and director. He made his New York debut as co-creator, arranger, pianist, and performer in the original company of Forbidden Broadway, appearing in its New York, Los Angeles, and Boston productions and on the original cast recording. His extensive work spans Broadway, cabaret, television, and the concert stage.
“Shana Farr held my attention throughout, and it was one of those shows that was over far too soon.” — London Theatre 1 ★★★★★
Representative Song List
A Julie Andrews Medley - arranged by Fred Barton
Je suis Titania – Mignon, Ambroise Thomas
Star! - Star!, Jimmy van Heusen & Sammy Cahn
Thoroughly Modern Millie – Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jimmy van Heusen & Sammy Cahn
The Boy Friend – The Boy Friend, Sandy Wilson
Jimmy – Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jay Thompson
Ten Minutes Ago – Cinderella, Rodgers & Hammerstein
Once Upon a Long Ago – High Tor, Arthur Schwartz & Maxwell Anderson
Whistling Away the Dark – Darling Lili, Mancini & Mercer
A Spoonful Of Sugar - Mary Poppins, The Sherman Bros.
Stay Awake - Mary Poppins, The Sherman Bros.
Feed the Birds – Mary Poppins, The Sherman Bros.
Someday I’ll Find You – Star!, Noel Coward
Living in the Shadows – Victor/Victoria (musical), Frank Wildhorn & Leslie Bricusse
I Have Confidence – The Sound Of Music (movie) Richard Rodgers
I Could Have Danced All Night – My Fair Lady, Lerner & Loewe
London Pride - Noel Coward
ENCORE: The Sound of Music – The Sound of Music, Rodgers & Hammerstein
Photo: Fred Cohen
"I Have Confidence"
Recorded Live at Feinstein's/54Below
March 2021
"Whistling Away The Dark"
Recorded Live at Feinstein's/54Below
March 2021
Venues
Feinstein's/54Below, NYC
National Arts Club, NYC
The Players, NYC
Feinstein's at The Regency, NYC
The Pheasantry, London
Crazy Coqs, London
Wold Performing Arts Center, FL
Westminster Performing Arts Center, FL
Press
Review by Chris Omaweng, LONDON THEATRE 1, March 2022
"The Julie Andrews Songbook: Whistling Away the Dark"
Five Star Review: "...Shana Farr held my attention throughout, and it was one of those shows that was over far too soon."
Review by Jonathan Baz, LONDON CRITIC, May 2013
Shana Farr "Whistling Away The Dark"- Full Review
Shana Farr is simply scintillating vocal perfection. What a discovery!
5-Star Review
Review by Paul Vale, THE STAGE, London, May 2013
Shana Farr "Whistling Away The Dark"- Full Review
Shana Farr delivers a gorgeous rendition of Coward’s classic "Some Day I’ll Find You."
Review by Thanasis Kalantzis, CABARET SCENES, LONDON May 2013
Shana Farr "Whistling Away The Dark" - Full Review
Farr is a tour de force of singing ability and interpretation.
Review by Tom Vallance, CLASSICAL SOURCE, LONDON, May 2013
Shana Farr "Whistling Away The Dark"
Farr can be torchy, or buoyant, and ranges from operetta to the bouncy flavour of the Twenties.
Review by Mark Dundas Wood for SIMPLY-SHOWBIZ, NYC, April 2013
Shana Farr "Whistling Away The Dark"- Full Review
Shana Farr holds moonbeams in her hand with Julie Andrews
Ms. Farr’s performance quickly became one of my favorite things.
Review by Elizabeth Ahlfors for CABARET SCENES, NYC, August 2011
Shana Farr "Whistling Away The Dark" - Full Review
Shana Farr delivers a splendid evening of music
Bring Whistling Away the Dark to your audience
For performing arts center, orchestras, concert series, supper clubs and special engagement inquiries:
CONTACT → booking@shanafarr.com