Michoel PRUZansky Captivates Cunningham Park

By: Jacob Friedman (Mini Z)

People of all ages, from all over Queens gathered together for a “Night Under the Stars” in Cunningham Park sponsored by the Queens Jewish Community Council. For the second year in a row, Michoel PRUZansky and his orchestra returned to Queens to perform some of his biggest hits as well as some of the most requested songs out there in the JM world.

Opening for Pruz was Zalman Levy, Jewish Star finalist from Johannesburg, South Africa. He started off the show singing his original song Higher and Higher (a very catchy tune) and then got into some Carlebach. Yoni Zigelbaum then took over. He may only be 19 years old but he sings like a pro. He first sang the classic Sholom Aleichem, nostalgic for all Jews followed by a couple more classics, Lo Lefached and Baruch Hagever which he sang with all his heart.

The highlight of the evening then came down the aisle “Shteig”ing away! This was just one of many of Michoel’s hits he performed throughout the show. Everyone was also anxious to hear some brand new material off his latest album, MP3, and he did not disappoint. Pruz performed Zeh Lazeh, Letav Uvid and Pia Poscho all off his latest. He also brought down the house or should I say park to songs like Hentalech, Taseh Mitzvah, Anachnu Maaminim, Areivim and Am Yisroel Chai just to mention a few. During several numbers, Pruz came off the stage to dance with men and boys from the audience like it was a real simcha!

After a lot of fun, Michoel spoke about some horrific tragedies we have faced this summer. After putting everyone in a more solemn mood, he called up his oldest son to sing with him non other than MBD’s Daddy Dear. This duet really moved the crowd. Another duet of the evening included Michoel and Yoni singing two of the most successful and powerful songs on the JM market, Anovim and Vehi Sheomda. Everyone’s neshama was touched by these two extremely powerful voices.

Just when you thought the night was over, there was more! Pruz kept the excitement going on with more singing and dancing. I am certain that nobody went home from Cunningham Park saying they didn’t have a great time. This dynamic performer is in a class of his own and is destined to top the charts.