He’s Doing It Again!

Mike at piano -b&wFor the sixth straight year, Sault Sainte Marie native Mike Dempsey, is coming to town again, bringing his friends along, asking local talent to join him, and putting on a show at the historic Soo Theater Project for one night only on Thursday, August 28, 2014 at 7:30 pm.

This foot-tapping, smile-generating, and spirit-uplifting show is always one of a kind! That’s because each year Mike Dempsey, with the aid of local show producer Marian MacLeod and narrator/poster artist/program book creator Tom Ewing, creates a completely new show just for the Sault Sainte Marie communities. This year’s show is called “All That Jazz.”

Karen Hughes Beacom (Pickford), Lola Kennedy (Sault Ste. Marie), Maureen Delaney Lehman (former Sault resident, now of Petoskey) and Eric Shaw (Sault native, now of Toronto) will join Mike’s traveling troupe, Linda Freeze and John Young (Detroit area), and will all be a part of this fantastic event. Gig Stewart (Petoskey) is coming again with his double bass and joining drummer Eric Gadzinski (Sault Ste. Marie).

In case you’re wondering….

Just who is Mike Dempsey? He was born and raised in The Soo and attended St. Mary’s School and Sault High. Then, he must’ve enjoyed living in Lansing because he graduated with a bachelor’s degree and stayed a couple more years to earn a master’s degree both from Michigan State University.

Music has always been a big part of Mr. Dempsey’s life; he has been the choral director at both Pontiac Central and Pontiac Northern High Schools and also served as choir director at several Oakland County area churches.

And, in addition, he has been music director for such large-scale musicals as “South Pacific,” “Oklahoma,” “Carousel,” “The King and I,” Music Man,” “Kiss Me Kate,” “Superman,” “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown,” “Mame,” “My Fair Lady,” “Gypsy,” “Sweet Charity,” “Li’l Abner,” and “Sound of Music.” In recent years he also created a one-woman (Linda Freeze) show featuring the music of Judy Garland, a show which has been performed many times.

Whew! But, Mike Dempsey wasn’t finished yet!

In 1995, he founded a singing group called “Mike Dempsey & Friends,” which for nearly 20 years now performs throughout Southeast Michigan. Mike is the pianist, scriptwriter, and the music arranger for this traveling group. He is a true genius when it comes to performing.

Mike_DempseyThe Soo Theatre Project is thrilled that he’s coming back to do it again! All proceeds go to the Soo Theatre Project, a non-profit organization promoting, teaching, and performing the arts for all of the Eastern Upper Peninsula communities.

So come on and see what this creative musical genius will put together for us this year! It’s one-chance only, as Mike’s a busy guy – Thursday, August 28 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now at the STP office.

Today is the last performance of “Carmen” at 2:00 pm on the historic STP stage. Local and national talent has been gathered for this incredible performance. See why “Carmen” continues to be popular since 1875!

And, remember, there’s always something for everyone at The Soo Theatre Project all year long. Visit: 534 Ashmun Street. Call: (906) 635-1930. Look: www.sootheatre.org.