All arrangements are by Jerry Mendelson.

4) Sweet Maria 4:11 - B. Kaempfert, M. Gabler, and H. Rehbein [Sample]

5) Minute Waltz 1:27 - F. Chopin

6) Here, There, Everywhere 4:01 - John Lennon and Paul McCartney [Sample]

7) El Relicario 2:31 - J. Padilla [Sample]

8) Stars Fell on Alabama 4:50 - Frank Perkins, and Mitchell Parish [Sample]

9) Happy Together 2:55 - Garry Bonner and Allan Lee Gordon

10) Oye Negra 1:43 - M Matamoros

12) Carioca 3:37 - V. Youmans, G. Kahn and E. Eliscu [Sample]

13) Tritsch Tratsch Polka 2:04 - R. Strauss

14) Medley: Danny Boy & Irish Jig 4:26 - K. Hinkson [Sample]

15) Petite Waltz 3:59 - E. Ellington, P. Claire, and J. Heyne

16) I Want to Be Happy 1:49 - Vincent Youmans, and Irving Caesar

17) Czardas 3:25 - Monte

18) Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head 4:46 - Burt Bacharach and Hal David [Sample]

19) Jazz Pizzicato 3:08 - Leroy Anderson

20) Tico Tico No Fuba 2:59 - Zequinha Abreu

Jerry Mendelson

Jerry Mendelson began his formal musical education at the age of 9, with the study of piano, theory, harmony, and composition. He was one of the few chosen students of Herman Wasserman, famed teacher of George Gershwin.

While continuing his piano studies, Jerry showed a keen interest in the pipe organ, and began studying classical organ under Herman Rubin, a noted Church organist and teacher, now retired on the west coast. For several years, Jerry filled the position of organist at the First Presbyterian Church in Spring Valley, New York.

After a 4 year stint of duty for Uncle Sam in naval aviation, Jerry's organ studies resumed, taking him through Columbia University, Weslyan University, Julliard school of Music, and theatre organ under the famed `'Poet of the Organ", Jessie Crawford.

In 1964, he was selected as one of the top 10 organists in the country, and was flown to Chicago, where he gave 10 recitals at the National Trade Show. He was further honored by the State of New Jersey, when a special "Jerry Mendelson Day" was proclaimed at the N. J. pavilion at the N. Y. World's Fair, where he performed throughout the day for the visiting multitudes.

Jerry Mendelson is now semi-retired but still in much demand in North Jersey, playing weddings, parties and cocktail hours for special occasions.

We in New Jersey have known Jerry for some 30 years and now we are proud to share him and his talent with all of you. So fasten your seatbelts and revel in this unique musical treat as we present a full hour of exciting musical pleasure, the marvelous magic of Mendelson.

Bratter and Pollack's Million dollar Rahway Theatre opened on Tuesday, October 16, 1928 at 7:30 PM, with a gala benefit film and stage show that was the City's social event of the year. The 1600 seat, stadium type theatre was "the last word in elegance and opulence" according to a local newspaper review. As one more link in the B&P east coast chain of neighborhood silent and vaudeville houses, the Rahway was strategically located along the US Route #1, Penn-Central Railroad corridor between NYC and Philadelphia to enable the management to readily avail themselves of shows traveling between the two cities.

Further accounts of the grand opening review state that, "The theatre contains the latest innovations in lighting and staging equipment, capable of producing any conceivable type of show to the highest degree of professionalism." Its construction was virtually fireproof and `'the splendid decor and lighting of the auditorium were crowned by a pendant dome with a 9 foot wide by 13 foot tall crystal chandelier with over 500 lights." Outside, the front facade displayed a huge vertical Rahway tapped with a flashing diamond and boasted a marquee with over 2500 lights. Keynoting all of this was "a $20,000 Wurlitzer, installed in 2 lofts, providing some very classy music."

The vaudeville pit band and organ were short lived; sound movies arrived a few months after the opening. In 1936 Mr. Sam Englemen, who built the theatre, sold it to new owners, the Colombia Amusement Corp. Although the huge crystal chandelier and 2500 lamp marquee are long gone, the auditorium and its classy Wurlitzer still remain much the same as on opening night.

In 1979, a group formed out of the organ crew and was successful in saving and restoring the theatre as the Union County Arts Center.

The Theatre

Restored Interior of the
former Rahway Theatre now
known as the Union County Arts Center.