Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael are in the middle of prepping three big shows, one of which is coming to Warsaw this week. The Chicago-based cabaret duo are prepping the “Music As Seen On TV” show to take on tour later this year, according to Menzie in a telephone interview Monday morning. “It will be great. The music is beyond belief. We’re preparing that show now,” she stated. They have the “Reel Love” show today at the University Club, Chicago, which features music from movies. And Sunday at 2 p.m., they perform the music of Irving Berlin and George Gershwin at the First United Methodist Church of Warsaw as part of the Rodeheaver Series. The two friends are no stranger to the area, especially Menzie, who grew up in Pierceton. She said she last came down from Chicago to visit at Christmas. Her niece and her family lives in the area, as does her father, Cloyce Menzie. Menzie said she’s anxious to come home for the show and visit with friends and family. She knows some of her cousins are planning to attend the Rodeheaver show, as are some high school friends. “I love what the United Methodist Church is doing with these shows. It’s a gift to the congregation and the community. It’s an amazing thing,” Menzie stated. 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. Michael and Menzie last performed as part of the Rodeheaver Series about two to three years ago, she said. Audiences also may remember seeing Menzie on the Wagon Wheel Theatre stage in 2009 in “Nunsense.” She reported she’s been very busy since then. “I teach master classes across the country in musical theater, and what your product is and how to sell yourself,” she said. “Tommy and I continue to do concerts around the country.” In 2013, Menzie celebrated her 25th anniversary of performing in Chicago. It generated a lot of press for her, she noted. The Berlin and Gershwin touring shows probably sell out more than any other show they do, she said. “Even in libraries or wherever we take our show, it has some monster numbers. We’ve toured the show with different people ... and it always does well,” she said. The show incorporates mash-ups of well-known songs like “Rhapsody in Blue,” “Always,” “Let Yourself Go” and “I’ve Got Rhythm.” Menzie said they’re all songs from the Great American Songbook. “Tom and I are known for taking beloved songs people know and giving them our own twist. They’re often not the way you’re used to hearing them,” she said. Both Menzie and Michael have released their own CDs over the years. Michael recently released his third solo CD and Menzie has two out. They also have a combined CD and appear on the Chicago compilation CD “Season of Concern,” where they perform “Do You Hear What I Hear.” 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 For more information on Menzie or Michael, visit their websites at beckiemenzie.com or tommichael.net
