“Something Wonderful: Heidi Kettenring in Concert”

***** What to do on a Monday night? Those of you who are into the world of entertainment know that Monday night is kind of an OFF night. Every so often, a theater may have its opening night on a Monday, allowing actors ( who are off) to have a night at the theater. The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire has found something special to bring to the North Shore- a Monday night concert such as the one Jane and I saw tonight, “Something Wonderful: Heidi Kettenring in Concert”. What a remarkable evening!

This show is one of many produced by Artists Lounge Live ( see www.artistsloungelive.com) produced by Michael and Angela Ingersoll, two of our area’s finest cabaret performers, who have something close to a dozen special performance shows that play at Marriott and other venues. Each show is unique and tonight’s was a brand new one, far different from Kettenring’s powerful “Karen Carpenter” show.

Ketterning, along with a five piece band gave an almost full house ( they can only use section three and 1/2 of sections 2 and 4, as this is an in-the-round-stage, and the other areas would be blocked. I am thinking there were about 900 potential seats available and didn’t see too many of them  empty.

This show is two hours in duration with one 15 minute break. While the audience was filled with many seniors, it was also nice to see many younger people in attendance. Heidi has been performing at Marriott for about 30 years and has played a multitude of roles there. In addition she has worked at other area theaters including a long stint with Broadway In Chicago in the production of “Wicked”.

Her concert was more like a biography where many of us who have seen her play many characters were allowed to peek into her heart and soul, learning about her childhood, her parents, her education in school, theater and life. We learned how she went from being the number one understudy for Paula Scrofano ( a legend in Chicago’s theater world) to playing Fannie Brice in “Funny Girl” ( I think that was the first time I truly noticed her and said to my wife, “she is a star”).

There is nothing as wonderful for the audience as getting to know the performer as a person, not a character. Heidi is warm and truly honest about her love for the people who buy a ticket and support live theater and performance. She said several times that without the audience, she would be unemployed. Very true, and I would have to say that the majority of people who saw her tonight will probably be the first ones to sign up for tickets when she does her next one-nighter. I know that she does a Christmas Karen Carpenter. I hope we get to see that. By the way, for  those who heard her do a song from “Guys and Dolls”, she will be in the new production at Drury Lane Oakbrook ( but a different type of roll). I can’t wait to see what she does with this one.

Part of her history is relative to the late Bernie Yvon who taught her about theater companies being like “family”. How true this is. Back in my theater days, I found this to be true and it made working odd hours much easier. Since I worked hours when my family was unavailable, having this “theater family” made life easier. Bernie was a wonderful performer and a friend and I still miss seeing him on the stage at area theaters. Thanks for the memory!

To see all of the Artists Lounge Live series and where and when, visit www.artistsloungelive.com.