Camelot Musical Spotlights are presented four times a year in between stage shows. Each spotlight runs for two weeks and they are thoroughly entertaining! I've had the privilege of telling the stories and singing the songs of 6 of America's most beloved singers. I encourage you to check out Camelot Theatre's amazing lineup! http://www.camelottheatre.org
My next musical spotlight is "Dusty Springfield and Petula Clark", scheduled for Nov. 11 through the 21st, 2010. I'll be performing 20+ hits from the Ladies of the British Invasion. Tickets are already selling for that show; order through their website or call Camelot Box Office at 541-535-5250.
My spotlights in this intimate theater in Talent, located just 5 mins. from Ashland, include "Rosemary Clooney", "Patti Page", "Doris Day", "Girl Singers of the Big Band Era", "Karen Carpenter" and the "The Andrews Sisters". (In the latter, I had the privilege of performing with Livia Genise and Presilla Quinby, two other singers of unbelievable talent!) Always backed by a first-rate 5 to 7-piece band, spotlights are consistent sell-outs.
Here are some brief descriptions of past spotlights:
"The Lives and Music of the Andrews Sisters" - I sang the part of LaVerne Andrews, Livia Genise was stellar as Maxene Andrews and the incomparable Priscilla Quinby played the part of Patty Andrews. Intricate harmonies and lively personalities were the trademark of the Andrews Sisters, the world-renown trio of singing sisters that helped a nation through the dark days of World War II. They will forever be known as "America's Wartime Sweethearts". 22 hits include "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", "Apple Blossom Time" and "Oh, Johnny, Oh!"
"The Life and Music of Rosemary Clooney" is the fascinating story of Clooney’s meteoric rise to fame and her fall from grace as a result of drugs and alcohol. Through pure grit and determination, Clooney made a fantastic comeback in a career that spanned 60 years. Features 23 Rosemary hits including "Come On-A My House", "Mambo Italiano", "Hey There" and "Tenderly".
"The Life and Music of Patti Page" depicts the reigning Queen of pop music during the 1950's. Miss Patti Page, 'The Singing Rage', remains an American icon with 15 gold records including “Tennessee Waltz”, “How Much is That Doggie in the Window?”, "Let Me Go, Lover" and "The Days of Wine and Roses". This musical tribute includes 23 Patti Page hits.
"The Life and Music of Doris Day" The quintessential, all-American girl-next-door, Doris Day overcame many setbacks in her life including being ripped off by her lawyer for over $22 million dollars. Despite being married and divorced 5 times, she made over 600 recordings and 39 films ranging from musicals to comedies to serious dramas. Features 22 songs including "Que Sera, Sera", "Pillow Talk" and "Secret Love".
"The Lives and Music of Girl Singers of the Big Band Era" From the mid-1930’s to the end of World War Two, the feisty and talented Girl Singers who graced the bandstands of the likes of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington and the Dorsey Brothers were in full flower. Sensuous songbirds like Marion Hutton, Helen Forrest, Kay Starr and Jo Stafford. Some were rebels like Billie Holiday who couldn’t keep a regular gig, Anita O’Day rejected the trademark gown in favor of pants and a tuxedo jacket & Dinah Washington carried a gun. Young and talented, they traveled in a man’s world and became famous in their own right. 20 popular songs include “It Don’t Mean A Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing”, “Green Eyes”, “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” and “Just in Time”. Monster 7-piece band with arrangements by Dal Carver.
"The Life and Music of Karen Carpenter" We presented every Carpenters hit you can think of, as well as explored the personal side of her life that ended all too soon at the age of 32. As lead singer for one of the great musical sensations of the 1970’s, Karen Carpenter became known the world over for her expressive contralto voice and her personal interpretations of the songs she sang. Her tragic death of a heart attack held one positive aftereffect; massive media attention on a variety of secretive and deadly eating disorders. An enormously popular brother-and-sister team, The Carpenters sold millions of records. Among their hits; “We’ve Only Just Begun”, “Close To You”, “Top of the World”, “Rainy Days and Mondays”, “For All We Know”, “Superstar”, “Yesterday Once More” “Goodbye to Love”, “Hurting Each Other” “Sing” and “Only Yesterday”.
