“Artists Lounge Live- “We’ve Only Just Begun” Heidi Kettenring

[rating=5] The long- awaited addition to the Artists Lounge Live stable of entertainment features, Heidi Kettenring’s “We’ve Only Just Begun” made its debut today at Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre in Lincolnshire. Fans of Ms Kettering, and of course, Karen Carpenter came out en mass on this glorious St. Paddy’s Day to see Chicago’s favorite leading lady, live in concert on the stage at Marriott. Two sold out shows in this huge theater was enough to show the world the love that Chicago audiences have for both the performer and the legend that she will help to keep alive for years to come. Yes, I will go to the deep end on this and say that as long as audiences will come to see this elegant, tear jerking, sing along concert, I think Heidi will continue it.

Michael and Angela Ingersoll, who know the importantce of keeping our musical history alive knew that Heidi was perfect to carry this off. As I found when I interviewed her last week, on my radio show, bringing this music to her fans and telling her story about their paths being close, based on the music itself ,was something she was having great fun with. Learning more about the woman and her family and sharing some insights with the audience was a remarkable afternoon/evening for Jane and I as well.

Thos of you who know the Marriott Theatre might wonder, how can a concert such as this be in the round? It isn’t! What they did was section off the section one area- no one sitting in this section, Section three was fully occupied by adoring fans and both sections two and four were half used, so that it appears that about 60% of the available seats were used and all of those had great sight lines.

On the stage with Ms Kettenring, at the piano, her musical director Chuck Larson, on bass, Dave Hiltebrand, on drums, Ryan Bennett and on the woodwinds the incredible Jim Gailloreto ( I would pay just to see him perform- he is great!) The back-up singers Alex Newkirk and Lara Filip added greatly to the sound that makes The Carpenters a reality. In the 105 minute show ( one brief intermission) we heard stories about our star and her husband, David who was in the audience with us, just as teary-eyes as I was , on several occasions. We hear “Close to You”, “For Al We Know”, “Superstar”, “Rainy Days and Mondays”, “Top Of The World”, “Yesterday Once More” and of course, the true tear-jerker “Rainbow Connection” leading into “Sing A Song”- what an afternoon turning into evening.

You missed an event. BUT guess what, “We’ve Only Just Begun”. This show will be back again in August at The Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana ( worth the trip, I guarantee). Based on the response to this show, might I suggest you go to http://www.artisisloungelive.comand place your order NOW! She will be in Munster August 24th at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m..

Other concerts in the series:

“Get Happy”, Angela Ingersoll as Judy Garland. If you have never seen this one, mark your calendars now June 8th 8 p.m.

June 9th   at 2 p.m.

“Higher and Higher” Chester Gregory doing his thing, August 25th at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

“Swinging on A Star” Jared Bradshaw as Der Bingle ( Bing Crosby) along with The Andrew Sisters  December 17th at 3 and 7:30 p.m.

These are all at Marriott Theatre. For tickets call 847-634-0200   www.marriotttheatre.com