” Ron Hawking: The Men and Their Music”

Highly Recommended ***** Thanks Drury Lane! I guess if you are going to re-open your theater, why not have a myriad of great singers and songwriters do so! But, because we are just coming out of a pandemic, why not have one man bring all this music to the stage? Great idea, Drury Lane! Who better than Ron Hawking to bring this idea to fruition!

Tonight, Jane and I were lucky to have seats in the Drury Lane Theatre with a few hundred or so others. Ron Hawking ( who is a “local” boy) put on a heck of a show!  For those who listen to my radio show, you know that Frank and I spend some air time with Ron talking about the week-end opening. I was sold on attending based on my previous experiences watching this ma at The Appollo, The Mercury and even the Lucille Room ( Cabaret) of Drury Lane several years ago ( pre-covid), but this show ,”The Men and Their Music”, is a slice of heaven. Ron works with his band and has brought back the two young ladies that worked with him in previous venues to do almost two hours of amazing entertainment.

Let me tell you the few problems we experienced before I tell you about the amazing show. While they attempted to follow some type of Covid procedure, they could not comply. People were far closer than comfortable, thus movement was happening even before all ticketed persons arrived. Some audience members were masked, others not. Drury Lane is in Kane County, there fore since many of us were either Cook or Lake Counties, confusion everywhere.

Secondly, they offered beverages before the show, but not during intermission and beverages were not allowed in the theater. Confusion, again.

Last, but not least ( in my opinion), people were filming the show on their phones and even tablets! Makes it hard for those there to see the show, but these selfish people didn’t care. When asked to shut it down, they just moved to another area. This is housekeeping that DL will have to watch for the future events and plays.

Now on to the positive! What a show! If you have thought about getting entertained, you can still see the show Sunday afternoon ( you will have to watch or listen to my show on the web www.wcpt820.com) as it is a 2 p.m. performance.

“Ron Hawking: The Men and Their Music” is a wonderful show that pays tribute to many favorite performers and great music. The show also shows off the raging talent of Mr. Hawking who has not lost a step. His voice is still a powerful tool and he does some of the greats of our time. Ray Charles, Bobby Darin, Frankie Valli, Johnny Mathis, a tribute to Bert Bachrach and his music,, Kenny Rogers, Joe Cocker . He does American bandstand and some of those who became hits during that era, Lou Rawls, Roy Orbison, Wolfman Jack, Frankie Avalon and a marvelous tribute to Sergio Mendez.

Before the show closes, he steps into his old show, “His Way” to pay tribute to Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., taking on all of their personas and doing some great Vegas nightclub songs and  does a cute Johnny Carson tribute with some very funny lines ( well done Ron!).

Of course, even after the final song, you know there will be more as they truly leave us wanting more ( but did give us a bit more again).

This was a very short run- something to get the theater re-opened and I am grateful. Again, Sunday at 2 p.m. is the last show ( but maybe they will bring this back again). Maybe some other theater will see this as a show to use to bring people back out. It leaves us with a great feeling and the future starts to look brighter ( in spite of what we read) but as a theater patron, I am urging all to get the vaccination. Not just for you, but for all those you care about and love!

Call 630-530-0111 to see if they have a few seats left. Tickets are $55