Jeff Mannies
SRO Entertainment

Sometimes it isn’t all that easy to figure out what you want to be when you grow up. Sometimes there are so many choices available, it just takes a while to get it all sorted out. But, as a general rule, these late-bloomers are multi-talented in so many directions that when they finally get it all together, its – “Watch out world! Here I come!”

Jeff Mannies, founder of SRO Entertainment is one of those folks who wandered down several pathways before stumbling over the Main Street to happiness. It only took him until he was 43, too! But the wait was worth it—just ask him. Jeff Mannies is a happy man these days. And why not? He wakes up with a smile every day, lives in an older house in Lakewood—constantly in a state of renovation—with the seven cocker spaniels he adores, surrounded by a collection of Hollywood memorabilia that would strike envy in the heart of any true movie aficionado. The road to Lakewood was more than usually full of twists and turns.

Along with his sister Julie, Jeff was raised in Muncie, Indiana. There may be some significance in the fact that Muncie is just 20 miles down the road from Fairmount, the birthplace of James Dean. That, and the fact that Jeff’s dad was in radio, at a conservative station, just at the time when rock and roll was beginning to make its big push in the mid-to-late 50s. Well, Dad couldn’t very well play these funny looking 45s that tumbled into the station, so he took them home, and eventually, the youngsters discovered this treasure trove and began to listen to them.

In the summertime, Jeff and Julie would spend time with their Mom’s parents in Lafayette. Here, they read books about the Hardy Boys or the Hollister family. They watched Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy on TV. If they went to visit their Dad’s folks in Peru (Indiana) they were immersed in old black & white movies. Jeff fell in love with the big musicals and the classic stars of the golden era of films—the 40s and 50s. “There was such an element of mystery about these people,” he says, in the midst of showing off his collection of Hollywoodania. “We didn’t know every little move they made. It was great, being able to use our imagination. Not at all like today!” Indeed.

The minute you walk into his home you feel as though you’re in a museum. Gorgeous unique frames (many purchased by Jeff at TJMaxx) hold unimaginable bits and pieces of Hollywood lore—Judy Garland’s earrings; a brooch that once belonged to Betty Davis, gloves worn by Vivian Leigh. Nearby each such display is quite possibly a wire frame holding, for instance, a nightgown that was once worn by Jean Harlow, or a jacket belonging to Ray Bolger. If you love old movies—and old movie stars—you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven! Although Jeff treats them all with loving care, he’s not at all afraid to touch them. He caresses a black lace gown and says, ‘Just think! Bette Davis actually wore this gown!” On the wall, adjacent to the stand holding the gown is a large frame containing several photos of Ms. Davis, as well as an autographed copy of a program from a stage presentation in which she starred.

Needless to say, Ms. Davis ranks high on his list of all-time faves: three of her classic films are on his “I never get tired of seeing over and over and over” list: Jezebel, The Little Foxes and Now Voyager. Other oldies but goodies are Marie Antoinette with Tyrone Power and Norma Shearer; Mildred Pierce with Joan Crawford, Wizard of Oz; Camille with Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor; Robin Hood with Errol Flynn and Olivia DeHavilland and White Christmas with Bing, Rosie, Vera and Danny. In case you think something is missing from this list, it’s because he only likes the first half of Gone With the Wind, but he’ll happily also watch anything by the Three Stooges

Even his dogs, ranging in age from 13 down to 1, are named for the stars he adores: Davis, Crawford, Taylor, Monroe, Gable, Cooper and Bennett. Fortunately, last names are somewhat androgenous, as gender rarely matches the image. But the dogs don’t seem to mind. They do bark, occasionally, however, it’s also somewhat comforting to have a built-in burglar alarm. “They wouldn’t bite, they’d just pee all over anyone foolish enough to try to get in here.”

Strange, then, that given his early indoctrination into the world of film stars and celebrities, his first choice was to become a tennis pro. Blame that one on Jimmy Connors—his all-time absolute tennis idol. A pair of rackets that Jeff used are hung over a window in his study. Compared to the huge things used by today’s players, these look like they belonged to children! The biggest name player he ever faced on a court was V. J. Armitraj, who was at Princeton the day Jeff (still a senior in high school) visited there. The coach thought it would be fun for the two to play a match. “He whipped my butt!” says Jeff with a laugh. “But he was a really nice guy, anyway.” He frowns, then adds, “I don’t know why the coach decided that would be a good thing, but—oh, well.” His sunny smile reasserts itself.

Jeff didn’t go to Princeton; rather, he went to Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, graduating in 1981. He majored in Phys Ed (K-12) with a minor in Business. After graduation, he went to work for the Department of Marketing of the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce. That was okay, and he stayed there for about five years. And then came another curve in the road. He discovered he liked helping people, and felt he needed to move in another direction.

This decision brought him to (the former) St. Mary’s Seminary—on Ansel Road in Cleveland. He was in the last ordination class in 1991 from this location—for a five-year-long Master’s degree program, which—even though he was raised as a Presbyterian—led to his ordination as a Catholic priest. He invited Madonna to the celebration, and although she didn’t actually appear at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Cleveland that day in May 1991, she did send him an autographed photo of herself. This is now in a large frame along with other tributes to the star. “People would ask me why she was on my office wall when I was a priest. Well, I thought she was great. She made people—not just Catholics—think. We need more of that.”

For five years, Jeff was Father Jeff—mostly at St. Sebastian Church in Akron. But still, something was missing from his life, so he left the priesthood, although he still attends the Catholic church. The idea of serving others led him to the development office of the AIDS Housing Council in Cleveland. While working there, trying to raise funds for a small non-profit organization with a negligible budget, he came up with the idea of bringing in superstar Michael Feinstein for a concert. Serendipity was obviously at work, because the fee for Feinstein was $25,000., which just happened to be the entire yearly budget for the Development Department of the AIDS council.

Jeff persevered, and the rest is history! From this small start, four years ago SRO Entertainment was born, whereby Jeff matches a celebrity to a non-profit organization with a need, and proceeds to make the event actually happen. He does it all, pretty much by himself. This includes the publicity, the invitations, the booking, the contract negotiations with the celebrity and venue, budgets, media relations, and what is sometimes the best part, getting the star from airport to hotel to concert to hotel and back to airport again.

While this usually works rather smoothly, at times there are the occasional hangups. This spring (May 8) Itzhak Perlman returns for his fourth performance for SRO. The first time, everyone was already at Severance Hall, with about twenty minutes to go before concert time, and Jeff’s cell-phone rang. It was the stage manager. “Mr Perlman’s music was inadvertently left behind at the hotel. You’ll have to get it for him.” Oh, sure. Well, Severance Hall isn’t all that far from the Intercontinental Hotel. Somehow it all worked out, and the recital went on as scheduled.

The second time around, the concert featuring Mr. Perlman went off without a hitch. The next morning at 6 am, Jeff’s phone rang. Picking it up, he groggily mumbled something. That famous deep voice at the other end said, “Jeff. This is Mr. Perlman.”

Jeff responded, “Go back to bed. It’s six o’clock in the morninng!” Fortunately, he didn’t hang up, even though he thought it was a friend playing a prank.

“Jeff, it really is Mr. Perlman. I have to go to the airport immediately.”

“It’s six o’clock in the morning!” Jeff was still mostly asleep.

“Jeff, it’s Mr. Perlman. My mother-in-law passed away last night, and I really do have to get to the airport now. I have to go home. Now!”

This time, Jeff woke up. Quickly. In a very short time, he picked up the rather somber soloist and off they went to the airport. Jeff still shakes his head. “They (the artists) never call me! They just never do! Usually, they call their agent or manager in New York, and that person will call me. And then I respond the best way possible. This was such a unique occurrence. And he (Perlman) was just so upset. But,” Jeff heaves a sigh of relief, “he’s coming back again!”

And now, Jeff and SRO are branching out to include the for-profit and business world. Given the rampant down-sizing in the corporate world the last few years, very few organizations still keep a party planner on staff. But yet, they still have parties and other glitzy get-togethers. IF they’re going to hire an outsider for the task of coordinating the party, it might as well be SRO, with all the experience—and contacts—to plan any kind of party, and make it a success.

No matter what sort of entertainment the client wants, if the budget is right, Jeff can probably find it, and bring it here, if necessary. He does like to use local talent, too, when it’s appropriate to meet the wishes of the client. From small parties to grandiose extravaganzas, Jeff’s your man in Cleveland.

Jeff Mannies and SRO Entertainment LLC plus the new SRO Corporate Entertainment, may be reached at hidden-email:wrssrelznaavrf@foptybony.arg? or through the web-site. http://www.SROentertainment.biz

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz hidden-email:negfjevgre@foptybony.arg?

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