Seniors enjoy the “Happy Together 2023 Tour”

It was a special night for seniors tonight. The music that we grew up on was the main attraction at The Genesee, Waukegan’s gem of a theater located  at 203 N. Genesee Street, downtown Waukegan. We have been to this entertainment center before, but tonight felt different. First of all, we are more comfortable going to the theater. Secondly, the show tonight was for “adults” of my age (although there were some younger people in the almost sold out venue) and thirdly, it was a beautiful night.

We wanted to dine in the Waukegan area as I feel it is important for that community to get business from the others who bring consumers to the market place. We stopped at a highly recommended Tex-Mex called Wild West Grill on Washington Street ( about 10 blocks from the theater). While it doesn’t look that great from the outside, it proves that the old saying, “Never judge a book by its cover” is very true. The food was great and the staff the best. I am hopeful that they will join the stable of restaurants who work with us for our contests. We will see!

Meanwhile, back at The Genesee. The show is one that Jane and I had seen years ago in Aurora, but different. Some of the acts are the same, but others have changed. It appears that they alternate and redo each season. Since most of the talent is from the 60’s, I would think that health gets into the equation. This is the 14th year that the show has been a traveling concert and allows the audience to re-live the 60’s and 70’s with the music that can be understood, over the stuff kids like today. I know that our parents could not handle what we enjoyed, but it sure was terrific and now, 60 years later, it felt great.

The show began with the Cowsills. There are only 3 left, but this is the family that was the inspiration for the TV series “The Partridge Family”. I interviewed Susan on my radio show and seeing her onstage was even better than the last time. Her bubbly personality from the interview shined through when she sang and  danced. They did many of their jits including “Love American Style” and “Hair”.

The Classics IV are down to two doing “Stormy” and “Traces”. there were musicians to assist as back-up but some of the act provided their own special touch. This one a saxophone player that is amazing!

The Vogues did “Your’e The One”, “Five O’Clock World” and the powerful “Turn Around, Look At Me”.

Later in the show which did have an intermission, we got to see and hear Gary Puckett (there is no more Union Gap). H won 6 consecutive Gold Records with songs like “Young Girld”, Woman,Woman” and “Lady Willpower”.

“Little Anthony ( the group he started with was called The Imperials) did not appear as we remembered him, but even as he has aged ( I think he is like Puckett, in his 80’s) his vocal range is still strong. Even with a slight sore throat/cough, he was right on with hits like “Tears on My Pillow”, “Hurt So Bad” and “Goin’ Out Of My Head”. he is still dynamic, and his songs hold a lot of memories for many who were sitting amongst us.

It was a great night for all who came and each performer had that special moment when the audience rises to their feet, claps as hard as they can and hoots and hollers.

The show was still not over. Two of the Turtles came on stage and Flo & Eddie completed the evening with their antics, songs and the final song “Happy Together” as each of the acts came out to take their well-deserved bow. A special evening in a special theater. Sorry you missed this edition, but as “Arnold” says “They’ll be back!

To find out where, check at www.happytogethertour.com

To see what’s coming up at the Genesee, visit www.geneseetheatre.com