“Signed, Sealed and Delivered: A Stevie Wonder Experience” reviewed by Frank Meccia

[rating=5]When it comes to Motown greats not too many can rack up such a fantastic resume: 100 million records worldwide, 25 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of fame. The man: Stevie Wonder! To do all this  yet, be blind at birth because of being born premature and developing retinopathy of detached retina’s from being in a high oxygen rich incubator . Yes, We are talking about the great Stevie Wonder, born Steveland Hardaway Morris, a true child prodigy just like Mozart, Chopin and Cory Henry.  Artists Lounge Live,known for tribute performances to extraordinary entertainers, is presenting this musical tribute , written and directed by Chicago’s own Angela Ingersoll and executive producer Michael Ingersoll. Putting these two together you have a great 2 hour and 15-minute showstopper. Artists Lounge Live is a Chicago based company that presents captivating concerts nationwide.

The Artists Lounge Live Band stars John-Mark McGaha, former preacher who since his childhood  loved Broadway Musicals. At the age of 5  he started to study classical piano. He tells us the story of Stevie Wonder and how it impacted and mirrored his own life, with the piano and guitar .He delivered some of the great songs created by Mr. Wonder, from his early hits like “Signed Sealed and Delivered”, to “Superstition”, to “Isn’t She Lovely”, to his tribute song to MLK Happy Birthday.

Members of the live band are Will Kurk who is also plays  the piano, synthesizer and also sings with Mr. McGaha.  On Bass you have Will Baggett, and on drums Chuck Lacy. What really created  a great evening was Josh Rzepka on Trumpet and Jesse Montijo on Saxophone and Flute. These two really made the evening rock with their performances. But what adds to the power of the music is the back-up singers.  This type of show cannot work without good backup singers and that goes to these lovely ladies: Cherise Coaches and Jessica Brooke Seals.

It’s has to be hard to pick and choose what songs of Stevie Wonder to perform. The man wrote over 91 songs for himself, and numerous others for other artists. But tonight, they picked about 18 good songs of his to make the evening go right.

“Signed, Sealed, and Delivered “plays till March 12th.
Thursdays: 7:30pm
Fridays: 7:30pm
Saturdays: 2:30pm and 7:30pm
Sundays: 2:30pm

The Mercury Theatre is located at 3745 N. Southport Ave, Chicago

Tickets are from $35- $75, the Box Office is at www.MercuryTheatreChicago.com

Valet parking is available, and street parking is available on Southport (mostly metered). Side street parking is zoned and needs a sticker after 6 p.m.

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