By Colleen Arbic and Marian MacLeod
All That Jazz is the title of the show and is just one of the familiar songs you will hear at the Mike Dempsey and Friends show on August 28 at the Soo Theatre. Show time is 7:30. This year Mike has asked the fabulous singers from his past shows to select their favorites. They include Without a Song, Moon River, Whatever Lola Wants, Summer Time, September Song, Over the Rainbow—just to name a few. Which of your favorite songs might be sung in this year’s show?
Singing these favorite songs will be locals Karen Hughes Beacom and Lola Kennedy, returning songsters Maureen Delaney-Lehman, who now lives in Petoskey, and Eric Shaw, who grew up in both Saults and lives in Toronto. The wonderfully talented Linda Freeze and John Young sing with Mike downstate and will be returning to the Sault again this year.
Mike has written a narration for the show that will be read by Tom Ewing. Mike also arranges the songs, accompanies on the piano and sometimes sings a song himself! Also returning to join Mike this year are Gig Stewart from Petoskey on the double bass and Eric Gadzinski of the Sault on drums.
All That Jazz will be the sixth benefit show that Mike has produced for the Soo Theatre. Each show has been very much appreciated by the audience in his home town. His past shows included songs by Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, music that won Oscars/nominations, show music that has stood the test of time. You get the picture – songs from Broadway, the movies, from great American composers, songs that we all love.
Mike was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, educated at St. Mary’s and Sault High School, then Michigan State University. He has been a musical professional all of his life, as an educator, pianist, composer, arranger, and artistic developer of many large-scale productions in the Detroit area and elsewhere.
Adding visual excitement to the evening is a slide show, produced by Marian MacLeod. Marian has been the inspiration behind the Mike Dempsey and Friends show coming to Soo Theatre, and each year takes care of the details of bringing Mike and his friends here to entertain us.
Be sure to bid on one or more of the wonderful silent auction items in the lobby before the show and during intermission.
Fabulous songs, sung by fabulous singers, accompanied by a fabulous trio, narration and a slide show too! Experience an evening of great music! Tickets are on sale at the Soo Theatre office. Put this event on your calendar and come to the Soo Theatre on Thursday, August 28 at 7:30p.m.
