Ron Hawking: The Song is You

[rating=4] Last Sunday, I interviewed Ron Hawking on my radio show. I had not seen him on a stage  for many years, and never in a cabaret setting. He is used to doing shows in theaters and over his Chicago years did the Mercury Theatre, The Apollo Theatre and at one time, NBC built him his own venue for his “My Way” show. As we discussed on the show, he has never tried to imitate the singers whose music he brings to the audience, but to capture the meaning and the soul that they brought to their music.

The new venue at Drury lane Oakbrook is a small room ( named the Cabaret Room))with near perfect sight lines and sound system ( tonight there was a small problem, but Hawking overcame it). The audience was not just people who are retired or near retirement, but they did fill a majority of the tables. I did notice several younger people, who it seemed knew the words to every song that Hawking and his two musicians brought to their act. He started the show by doing a little bit about “Cabaret” the Kander & Ebb Broadway show and did his very best Joel Gray.

He then started with “For Once In My Lifetime” and led into the title tune, “This Song Is You”. A little Elton John/Billy Joel and then he brings out his guitar ( he told me in the interview that it had been awhile) which he played perfectly and did his version of “Crying Over You” ( Roy Orbison’s hit)

Part of who this entertainer is, is a singer/crooner who understands lyrics and makes sure that his audience gets every word, for the sound and the meaning. He does this to perfection! Even where his range may have narrowed over the years, his personality can fill any stage and his ability to “sell the song” is 110% on target.

From “Finnian’s Rainbow”, to songs of Eddy Arnold as performed by Ray Charles and then into his ” New York Sate Of Mind” following a Sinatra montage from Frank’s films ending with “A Very Good Year” and “World on A String” woven into a special piece. The one song from Frank’s songbook that I would love to see added is “The House I Live In” ( from an early film about how great America is and one that we really need to hear the words to again).

He spoke about the men and their music ( another show that he brought to our city) and gave us some of the great hits of Burt Bachrach and Hal David. I loved his “Girl From Ipanema”, his rendition of “Somewhere” from “West Side Story” and the Italian version of “Knight in White Satin” WOW! He then proceeded to bring to the small stage “The Jersey Boys” with the audience joining in. They loved the show ( and him!).

When he was done, there was not one audience member who was not on their feet! While his show is not as we saw in years past, and perhaps his voice is not as bright as it was several years ago, his show is a delight and a marvelous experience.

Two more shows: Saturday, the 10th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, the 11th at 6:30 p.m.

The cost is $55 per person ( $65 to be at the “head table” where you can reach out and touch Ron) and there is a min of $25 per person in service ( food and beverage). I must tell you the sushi was excellent and the sliders terrific. Even the pretzels were delish.

To see this man and the music he brings to the stage, call 630-530-0111 or visit www.DruryLaneTheatre.com

If you miss out, I hear he is going to be doing a special show in December in Barrington-