Jeff Harnar Brings the Great American Songbook to Puerto Vallarta

In a city renowned for its breathtaking coastal beauty and thriving arts scene, few performances have embodied the sophistication and charm of classic cabaret quite like Jeff Harnar’s Puerto Vallarta debut. With a career that has graced the most revered stages in New York—from Carnegie Hall to Feinstein’s/54 Below and the legendary Oak Room at The Algonquin Hotel—Harnar is a torchbearer of the Great American Songbook, bringing its timeless wit, romance, and elegance into the modern era.

Last night, in the intimate setting of Casa Karma’s Red Room at Act2PV, Harnar delivered an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling, immersing the audience in the genius of Cole Porter. With the extraordinary Mark Harman at the piano—Harnar’s meticulously curated repertoire unfolded as a love letter to the golden age of song, filled with both reverence and contemporary flair.

—A Masterclass in Musical Storytelling

From the moment Harnar launched into a playfully mischievous rendition of Let’s Do It, it was clear that this would be a performance of rare finesse. His seamless blend of Porter’s celebrated classics and hidden gems transported the audience to a world where every lyric sparkled with wit, every melody carried the weight of nostalgia, and every moment felt like an intimate conversation between artist and listener.

With selections like I’m Throwing a Ball Tonight, Harnar brought the effervescence of Broadway’s golden years to life. Meanwhile, his modern reinterpretations of Cole Porter’s work—featuring updated lyrics with words like “tweet,” “Facebook,” and “cybercall,” and even references to artists like Lady Gaga—reimagined Porter’s lyrical brilliance for today’s audience. His ability to balance lighthearted charm with deep emotional resonance was on full display in I’ve Got You Under My Skin, performed with an intensity that made each phrase linger in the air like an echo of love lost and found.

But what sets Harnar apart is not just his impeccable vocal phrasing or his silken baritone, but his ability to breathe narrative into music. Between songs, he peppered the evening with rich anecdotes, offering the audience fascinating glimpses into Porter’s world. He recalled how a 1936 black-and-white film first ignited his passion for Porter’s genius, and delighted in sharing a story about Kitty Carlisle, who once asked Harnar about including her name in a song—leading to a charming, lifelong inside joke between them.

A highlight of the evening was an exquisite performance of Begin the Beguine, a song whose sweeping romance and sultry rhythms felt tailor-made for the tropical enchantment of Puerto Vallarta. Harnar’s voice seemed to capture the ocean breeze itself, evoking a timeless mirage of passion and longing.

—A Swell Party Indeed

The evening was not without its surprises. Midway through the performance, the celebrated Mark Hartman joined Harnar onstage for a spirited duet of What a Swell Party This Is, a number that danced between satire and sheer delight, leaving the audience laughing, applauding, and utterly enchanted.

As the final notes of Night and Day resonated through the venue, there was an undeniable sense that something special had transpired—a fleeting moment of musical magic that those in attendance would carry with them long after the final curtain fell.

—Two More Chances to Witness Greatness

For those who missed this triumphant debut, there is still time to experience Jeff Harnar’s artistry live. Two additional performances remain:

Thursday, February 8th at 5 PM

Saturday, February 10th at 7 PM

Both will take place at Act2PV, a venue that has quickly become synonymous with world-class entertainment in Puerto Vallarta.

Harnar’s extensive career in cabaret and musical theater has earned him multiple MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs) Awards and a Bistro Award for Outstanding Male Vocalist. A fixture in the New York music scene, he has directed and collaborated with legendary performers such as Andrea Marcovicci and KT Sullivan, and his tribute shows to Stephen Sondheim, Cy Coleman, and the Gershwins have been hailed as definitive interpretations of American musical history.

Puerto Vallarta has long been a haven for artistic expression, and with Harnar’s arrival, it has now cemented itself as a destination for world-class cabaret. Whether you are a lifelong devotee of the Great American Songbook or a newcomer to its delights, this is a rare opportunity to experience one of the genre’s most gifted performers in an intimate and unforgettable setting.

Tickets are selling fast—secure your seat now before the final encore!