The Singing Anchors
Holiday Reunion Show
December 15, 2024
2:00PM & 4:00PM
Tickets $28 Advance, $30 At the Door. Students $15
About the Show:
The Singing Anchors, a beloved musical trio, have been captivating audiences across the Capital Region since 2009. Originally formed by esteemed regional news anchors Jerry Gretzinger, Benita Zahn, and Jessica Layton, this dynamic group quickly became a local sensation. Their highly acclaimed Singing Anchors Holiday Show became a cherished tradition, gracing venues from their home base at Fort Salem Theater to the Saratoga Racino, Caffe Lena, Cohoes Music Hall, and libraries across Clifton Park/Halfmoon and Guilderland.
In 2015, Jessica Layton expanded her career by moving to the New York City market, where she now anchors for MSNBC and occasionally substitutes on NBC’s Early Today Show. Meanwhile, Jerry Gretzinger and Benita Zahn continued their partnership, co-anchoring at WNYT while touring their hit musical show, Side By Side. After more than three decades in Albany, Benita retired from WNYT in 2021, and Jerry transitioned from his anchor role in 2022 to become the Associate Commissioner for Internal & External Affairs at the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS).
From 2009 to 2015, The Singing Anchors performed year-round across the Capital Region, with their sold-out holiday shows becoming a seasonal highlight. Even after Jessica’s move, Jerry and Benita kept the holiday tradition alive, continuing to bring joy to their audiences.
In 2023, Jerry took to the stage with his solo show, Sinatra: The Man, the Myth and the Music, at Universal Preservation Hall, showcasing his versatility as a performer.
Now, in 2024, the trio is thrilled to reunite alongside Jay Kerr on piano for The Singing Anchors’ Reunion Holiday Show, bringing Jessica back into the fold for what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of music, camaraderie, and holiday cheer.
Bios
Jerry Gretzinger is thrilled to be reuniting with The Singing Anchors after performing Sinatra: The Man, The Myth, The Music, with his wife Erin and the same amazing instrumental trio backing this season’s Singing Anchors Reunion Holiday Show. He’s most widely recognized for the 20+ years he spent as an Emmy winning television newscaster in upstate New York, anchoring broadcasts for WRGB and WNYT (though some may remember his subsequent life as the pitchman for Grasshopper Heating and Cooling). Jerry has performed in over 200 Broadway-style musicals and cabarets, including Guys and Dolls, The Music Man, Chicago, Forever Plaid, Into the Woods, Annie, The Secret Garden, 42nd Street, Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. In 2018, Jerry and Jay Kerr co-wrote a musical comedy featuring the songs of Frank Sinatra, called Frank ‘N’ Stein, that premiered at the Fort Salem Theater. In 2023, Jerry was honored to be named one of the top actors in the Capital Region by the Times Union. He’s currently the Associate Commissioner for Internal and External Affairs at the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports where he oversees the communications and media relations teams.
Jessica Layton is thrilled to be back in her hometown area for this festive season, on stage singing again with The Singing Anchors! In 2016 she relocated to Short Hills, New Jersey with her husband, sportscaster Andrew Catalon, and son, CJ, to further pursue her career in broadcast news at the network level in New York City. A graduate of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, she is currently a news anchor for NBC News / MSNBC, where her focus is on world and national breaking news. She also regularly appears at the desk, anchoring NBC’s Early Today. The move to the tri-state area came after ten years anchoring and reporting at WNYT NewsChannel 13, where she met and began singing with pals Jerry Gretzinger & Benita Zahn. Jessica’s passion in life is music. She began singing professionally at the age of ten, recording radio jingles and children’s music used in schools nationwide. A cantor at St Rose of Lima Church in Short Hills, Jessica sings regularly at weddings and funerals. She has performed the National Anthem at major sporting and political events. In fact, you may hear her at some college and professional basketball games this winter!
Benita Zahn is delighted to reunite with the Singing Anchors, especially performing their holiday show. Benita just wrapped her performance as Mrs. Shubert in Shear Madness at The Majestic Theater in Massachusetts, on the heels of her performance as the psychiatrist in Agnes of God at the Fort Salem Theater and directing Love,Loss and What I Wore at Theater Voices. In addition to her many theatrical roles, Benita has appeared In The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and a number of independent films. She co-hosts the podcast, Everything Theater, and writes a column on health/healthy living for the Times Union, The Pacesetter, 55+Living. She has twice been voted Best Actor in the Times Union poll, and Broadway World’s Regional Best Actor. After a forty year career as an Emmy award winning news anchor/health reporter at WNYT, and when not on stage, Benita works as a nationally certified health and wellness coach at Capital Cardiology.