Rodeheaver Series Presents Cabaret Duo
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Staff Report-
Called “one of the most compelling duos in cabaret today” by the Chicago Tribune, Menzie and Michael “offer a unique blend of whimsy, nostalgia and unquestionable talent that translates into pure entertainment. Their imaginative musical twists on jazz favorites, standards, contemporary pop, Broadway show tunes and film gems have won them audience and critical acclaim across the country and around the globe,” according to a provided press release.
Hailed by Cabaret Scenes Magazine as one of the “Top Ten Cabaret Acts,” Menzie and Michael have appeared on some of the country’s most prestigious stages, including New York’s Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Their recording efforts have been praised by Billboard Magazine, BackStage, Show Business Weekly and Playbill and their latest CD “Better Two-gether,” has been hailed by critics as “magic,” “sensational” and “the year’s best recording,” according to the press release.
The release also states, “In what they call a ‘musical marriage,’ Menzie and Michael delight audiences with their rare chemistry, inventive arrangements and genuine love for music and for one another. Menzie’s rich voice and expert piano stylings sizzle on everything from sassy swing to smoky torch songs. A three-time winner of After Dark Chicago’s ‘Outstanding Cabaret Artist’ award, Menzie is a diva-in-demand whom WGN radio has praised as ‘one of the city’s finest performers.’”
Her critically-acclaimed solo CD, “Real Emotional Girl,” garnered national radio play and was praised by Cabaret Scenes as “one of the year’s finest.”
With a voice that Billboard Magazine describes as “a revelation,” Michael’s warm, expressive style and charismatic tenor breathe new life into cabaret standards and reveal why BackStage Magazine has called him “one of the most striking singers to emerge in the last few years,” according to the release. His most current solo CD, “Written in the Stars,” received international praise and was named “Best CD of the Year” by ShowBusiness Weekly Magazine, After Dark Chicago and WDVR-FM radio.
Together, their performances produce what critics have called “sizzling,” “pure brilliance” and “cabaret at its best,” and accordingly they have garnered Chicago’s After Dark Award for Outstanding Cabaret Artists five times.
In this, their second appearance on the Rodeheaver Series, Menzie and Michael will present their show titled “Cheek to Cheek with Fascinating Rhythms,” celebrating the music of songwriters Berlin and Gershwin.
While the connection between the two composers may not be obvious on the surface, it so happens that one of Gershwins’ early jobs was transcribing the piano music of Berlin. According to the release, “the show leaves no doubt in the minds of its audiences that these two men, who had very different musical backgrounds, made a lasting impact on the history of popular song.”
Beloved standards featured in the program include: “I Love a Piano,” “An American in Paris,” “Count Your Blessings,” “What’ll I Do/Always,” “Let Yourself Go,” “Fascinating Rhythm,” “The Man I Love/But Not for Me” and “Stepping Out with My Baby.”
Of their show “Cheek to Cheek“ the Chicago Tribune said, “Michael won a huge ovation for his radical reimagining of ‘Stepping Out with My Baby.’” NYC‘s Cabaret Scenes Magazine raved about Menzie by saying, “…the dizzying effect of her piano work on ‘Fascinating Rhythm’ and ‘Let Yourself Go’ leaves one breathless.”
The performance is sponsored by the Rodeheaver Series for the Performing Arts, and is offered free of charge. The public is encouraged to attend. The series was established in 1990 to support and foster performing arts and artists in a manner which brings glory to God. Named for the Rodeheaver family, legendary for their development and support of Christian music, and long-time members of First United Methodist Church of Warsaw, the Rodeheaver Series has sponsored more than 75 concerts, recitals and theatrical presentations.
First United Methodist Church of Warsaw is at the corner of Indiana and Market streets downtown, is handicapped accessible, and provides listening assistance.
For more information on the Rodeheaver Series for the Performing Arts, or for directions to the church, call the church office at 574-267-6933 or visit the Series website at www.RodeheaverSeries.org
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Called “one of the most compelling duos in cabaret today” by the Chicago Tribune, Menzie and Michael “offer a unique blend of whimsy, nostalgia and unquestionable talent that translates into pure entertainment. Their imaginative musical twists on jazz favorites, standards, contemporary pop, Broadway show tunes and film gems have won them audience and critical acclaim across the country and around the globe,” according to a provided press release.
Hailed by Cabaret Scenes Magazine as one of the “Top Ten Cabaret Acts,” Menzie and Michael have appeared on some of the country’s most prestigious stages, including New York’s Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Their recording efforts have been praised by Billboard Magazine, BackStage, Show Business Weekly and Playbill and their latest CD “Better Two-gether,” has been hailed by critics as “magic,” “sensational” and “the year’s best recording,” according to the press release.
The release also states, “In what they call a ‘musical marriage,’ Menzie and Michael delight audiences with their rare chemistry, inventive arrangements and genuine love for music and for one another. Menzie’s rich voice and expert piano stylings sizzle on everything from sassy swing to smoky torch songs. A three-time winner of After Dark Chicago’s ‘Outstanding Cabaret Artist’ award, Menzie is a diva-in-demand whom WGN radio has praised as ‘one of the city’s finest performers.’”
Her critically-acclaimed solo CD, “Real Emotional Girl,” garnered national radio play and was praised by Cabaret Scenes as “one of the year’s finest.”
With a voice that Billboard Magazine describes as “a revelation,” Michael’s warm, expressive style and charismatic tenor breathe new life into cabaret standards and reveal why BackStage Magazine has called him “one of the most striking singers to emerge in the last few years,” according to the release. His most current solo CD, “Written in the Stars,” received international praise and was named “Best CD of the Year” by ShowBusiness Weekly Magazine, After Dark Chicago and WDVR-FM radio.
Together, their performances produce what critics have called “sizzling,” “pure brilliance” and “cabaret at its best,” and accordingly they have garnered Chicago’s After Dark Award for Outstanding Cabaret Artists five times.
In this, their second appearance on the Rodeheaver Series, Menzie and Michael will present their show titled “Cheek to Cheek with Fascinating Rhythms,” celebrating the music of songwriters Berlin and Gershwin.
While the connection between the two composers may not be obvious on the surface, it so happens that one of Gershwins’ early jobs was transcribing the piano music of Berlin. According to the release, “the show leaves no doubt in the minds of its audiences that these two men, who had very different musical backgrounds, made a lasting impact on the history of popular song.”
Beloved standards featured in the program include: “I Love a Piano,” “An American in Paris,” “Count Your Blessings,” “What’ll I Do/Always,” “Let Yourself Go,” “Fascinating Rhythm,” “The Man I Love/But Not for Me” and “Stepping Out with My Baby.”
Of their show “Cheek to Cheek“ the Chicago Tribune said, “Michael won a huge ovation for his radical reimagining of ‘Stepping Out with My Baby.’” NYC‘s Cabaret Scenes Magazine raved about Menzie by saying, “…the dizzying effect of her piano work on ‘Fascinating Rhythm’ and ‘Let Yourself Go’ leaves one breathless.”
The performance is sponsored by the Rodeheaver Series for the Performing Arts, and is offered free of charge. The public is encouraged to attend. The series was established in 1990 to support and foster performing arts and artists in a manner which brings glory to God. Named for the Rodeheaver family, legendary for their development and support of Christian music, and long-time members of First United Methodist Church of Warsaw, the Rodeheaver Series has sponsored more than 75 concerts, recitals and theatrical presentations.
First United Methodist Church of Warsaw is at the corner of Indiana and Market streets downtown, is handicapped accessible, and provides listening assistance.
For more information on the Rodeheaver Series for the Performing Arts, or for directions to the church, call the church office at 574-267-6933 or visit the Series website at www.RodeheaverSeries.org
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