She is renowned children's performer and singer/songwriter MaryLee Sunseri, and she will appear Tuesday morning at the Half Moon Bay Library. Her appearance will take the place of the library's regularly scheduled Preschool Storytime, at 10:30 a.m. at the library at 620 Correas St. in Half Moon Bay.
Sunseri, of Pacific Grove, is a performer styled after the traveling troubadours of her Celtic heritage. Singing in a sparkling, clear, resonant mezzo in a folksy style, she accompanies herself on acoustic guitar, banjitar (a cross between a banjo and guitar) or sometimes a gypsy-style tambourine. She also brings along a variety of colorful props.
 MaryLee Sunseri will perform for kids and their adults at the Half Moon Bay Library on Tuesday morning. |
The individual songs within each genre are no doubt familiar to many listeners. For example, her "Singin' Sidesaddle - Songs of the Old West" - includes old-time numbers like "Sweet Betsy from Pike," "Buffalo Gals," "Oh, Susanna," "Down in the Valley" and "I've Been Workin' on the Railroad." To that she adds songs that are less familiar but in keeping with the theme, such as "Navajo Night Chant/Colors of the Wind."
Her "Rhythm of the Rocks" touches on the corners of the world, and her "Mother Goose Melodies" blend traditional songs with American versions of old English songs with new words by the artist.
Interspersed with the songs are tales from Sunseri's musical career.
"She is a wonderful singer," said Half Moon Bay Library branch Manager Annie Malley, who saw Sunseri at the Brisbane library. "An effervescent personality. She interacts well with adults and kids. She's sort of joyful."
On Tuesday, Coastside classes of preschoolers and kindergartners will attend Sunseri's performance, which is free and open to the public, said Malley.
Sunseri first appeared onstage as "Eileen" in the musical comedy "Wonderful Town" at Hollywood High School, and received her certificate of study in musical theater from the London Drama School with distinction in singing.
She has performed on film soundtracks for Disney and MGM, and toured for years as part of Randy Sparks' Back Porch Majority, singing backup vocals for Shirley Jones and Burl Ives.
She has won four Parents' Choice Awards and two American Library Notables awards. Her credits include performing the title song to the Walt Disney movie "The Apple Dumpling Gang" and recording nursery rhymes for Mattel Toys' "See and Say." She has also made concert appearances with legendary children's performer Burl Ives.
Also the producer of 14 children's music CDs, she performs "Classroom Concerts" library programs and parent/teacher music workshops throughout California and musical theaters throughout California and Washington.
Aside from children's songs, Sunseri has stretched into other areas too. She is also well-known on the Monterey Peninsula as a vocalist with the 1940s-style The Satin Dolls swing trio, the classical Monterey Sting Quartet and the popular dance combo the Marotta Band.
The Half Moon Bay Library can be reached at 726-2316.
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AT A GLANCE
What: Children's performer MaryLee Sunseri
Where: Half Moon Bay Library, 620 Correas St., Half Moon Bay
When: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22
Cost: Free
Information: 726-2316
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