[rating=5] While the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre may not be my favorite place for watching musicals, it is for their Cabaret series, “Artists Lounge Live”. These are one night shows, produced by Michael Ingersoll with the Metropolis people, bringing some of Chicago’s best to their stage, and recreating some of the music that will keep our memories alive, and at the same time, make new ones for us!
Tonight, Jane and I were witness to one of our favorite Broadway Babes, Heidi Kettenring doing her concert “Something Wonderful”, and it was!!! Two fifty minutes sets with a 15 minute intermission allowing her to change gowns and us to whet our whistle and enjoy a cookie ( thanks to the sponsor of the evening, Lutheran Home). Many of you have watched Heidi mature in our fair city and our wonderful theater scene. From Marriott to Writers, to Drury Lane playing a myriad of roles. Of course, “Wicked” was her home for several years. Yes, we all know her in the many roles she has played, but do we really know her?
If you get an opportunity to see her in concert, and I think she is working on another show for the Artists Lounge Live ( in the future), it would be in your best interest to find a way to see her. This show is a story of her life and her love of music. How she went from a little girl in Nashville to becoming one of Chicago’s finest performers and how her love of music grew and grew and how certain types of music became her trademark ( so to speak).
Heidi began her evening with “Blue Skies” and then went on to let her audience ( the Metropolis is packed for these concerts, so never wait) know her musical history. The rides home in the car listening to the tapes in her father’s car, and falling to sleep to music that stuck in her head. She talked about her “besties” when in high school heading off to see “Beaches” and thinking that the music in that movie had been created by Bette Middler, but more importantly, that film made her see the value of true friendship.Heidi has portrayed Anna, in “The King and I ” several times, so it was “something Wonderful” to see ( and hear) her do that song ( done in the play by Lady Thiang, the Kings #1 wife) and Tuptim’s “I Have Dreamed”. She gave us a bit of Linda Ronstadt and the Beatles, but ended the first segment with a song that has great meaning to her- “People” from “Funny Girl”, the show that truly made Chicago sit up and take notice of this little girl from the south with the big voice!
After changing gowns, Ms Kettenring began the second set with “I Can See Clearly Now” and then did a special “Mr. Rogers” tribute followed by a special medley of James Taylor songs. That was followed by the 1980’s Academy Awards Nominees that are favorites of hers. All were “something Wonderful”, but only one was a winner. The show was jam- packed with music of the 1970’s and 1980’s and as a special tribute to the Mueller sisters who have both been involved with “Beautiful”, the Carol King story, she did that song and when the evening was over, the audience members were in great spirits having has a wonderful evening. As we walked to the parking garage ( free parking at Metropolis) they were singing , humming and a few seemed to be lighter on their feet then when they entered the theater. As I said earlier, new memories were started tonight. Bravo Michael Ingersoll for producing these shows and thank you Heidi Kettenring for sharing your life and your story and of course , your music with us.
To see what the future Artists Lounge Live series will be, visit www.artistsloungelive.com
The Metropolis Theatre is located in Arlington Heights at 111 Campbell Avenue 847-577-2121
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