By Lizabeth Jenkins-Dale / August 21, 2016
The musical review “My Way” will take center stage on September 1st at the Soo Theatre. The traditional Pre-Labor Day concert that has featured the talents of Mike Dempsey and Friends will follow suit this year.
Artistic Director Karen Hughes Beacom has assembled a cast of four for the Sinatra review. Singing the soprano lead, Hughes Beacom will perform along with local mezzo, Lola Kennedy, tenor, Aaron Jenkins and baritone, John Young.
Kennedy and Hughes Beacom have performed in many or all of the Dempsey shows along with John Young, who travels to the UP to perform in this annual show from downstate. Young has honed his talents over the years with Mike Dempsey, coaching the songs in Mike’s Waterford studio.
In the meantime, here in Sault Ste. Marie, preparations are underway for this year’s review performance. Singer and actor Aaron Jenkins joins the lineup after his sensational debut performance as Harold Hill in “The Music Man” at the theatre in July. Jenkins auditioned for the role on a whim to possibly be in the chorus after his kids had gotten involved in the spring youth production of “Beauty and the Beast.” Jenkins told Hughes Beacom, “I was thinking about auditioning for the summer musical. Do you need to have experience? What do I need to prepare?” Hughes Beacom said to just “show up” and give it a shot.
Jenkins did show up to the audition and wowed the production team. Director Anthony Aceti cast Jenkins as Harold Hill and never looked back. He went on to add that he hoped that Jenkins natural style and charisma would not disappear after gaining some stage experience.
And that it did not. Jenkins brought a natural and charming portrayal to the role of Harold Hill. And he brought his family. His wife Keelan played the role of Alma, and their kids Sam, Daniel, Kai, Josh and Evie all performed in the show.
And now we get the chance to hear Jenkins perform the songs of Frank Sinatra with the veteran cast on September 1st.
Mike Dempsey will return to the piano to play for the show with drummer Eric Gadzinski and bass player Paul Ignatowski. Dempsey retired last season from creating and producing the Mike Dempsey and Friends show, but indicated last year that he would accompany a performance if the theater created something for him to take part in. Hughes Beacom found the show “My Way” by David Grapes and Todd Olson and they were back on for another year.
“My Way” will be performed one night only at the downtown historic Soo Theatre on Thursday, September 1st at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Student tickets are available for $5 and $10. Call 906-632-1930 or stop by the theatre today to get your tickets for this special show starring the one and only Mike Dempsey and his long time friends Karen Hughes Beacom, Lola Kennedy, John Young and our new friend Aaron Jenkins.
