Daryl Nitz never misses a chance to put on a show. So when the multitalented performer learned that the Skokie Theatre was going to have a real piano onstage in June, he decided to produce four shows that month through Daryl Nitz Entertainment.
The series launches on June 6 with “Signature with a Song: Great American Singers and the Song that made them Famous.” I’ve always been fascinated with signature songs,” Nitz explained. “I included a cast of the people I feel are really at the top of their game as far as cabaret goes.”
The list includes Laura Freeman, Jeff Hedberg, Frieda Lee, Beckie Menzie, Nitz, Johnny Rodgers and Denise Tomasello singing selections associated with such performers as Louis Armstrong, Doris Day, Etta James, Carole King and Mel Torme.
“I’m very thrilled because Daryl picked out three songs for me by three artists that I adore,” said Buffalo Grove resident Denise Tomasello. “The first one is Judy Garland’s ‘Over the Rainbow.’ I’ll be singing Liza Minelli’s ‘Cabaret’ and I’ll also be doing ‘The Rose’ of Bette Midler. They’re entertainers — and I consider myself an entertainer…”
On June 12, Nitz will reprise “Ladies Sing the Blues: a Billie Holiday Centennial Birthday Celebration,” which was a huge hit at Davenport’s in Chicago on April 7, the singer’s actual birthday. “The music is presented chronologically,” Nitz noted. “The preshow and the post-show music also complement your experience.”
The cast includes Amy Armstrong, Kimberly Gordon, Sophie Grimm, Lynne Jordan, Frieda Lee, Liz Mandeville, Tecora Rogers and Jeannie Tanner. Johnny Rodgers is music director with Jim Cox on bass and Eric Schneider on horns.
“It was a Very Good Year: A Centennial Birthday Concert for Frank Sinatra,” will be presented on June 20, featuring Steve Biossat, Mark Madsen, Bob Moreen, Paul Motondo and Nitz, with musical direction by Johnny Rodgers.
“Sinatra really embodies American music from the standards to the show tunes,” Nitz said.
Johnny Rodgers serves an integral role in the first three shows, working closely with Nitz on the programs. “I was very excited by the opportunity of doing these birthday tribute shows,” he said. “It paints a portrait of the lives of these great American artists.”
He is also pleased with the cast. “The wonderful thing about the shows is that they incorporate so much of Chicago’s talent,” Rodgers said.
The series concludes on June 26 with “The Nitz & Howe ‘All-Star’ Experience.” “The Nitz & Howe Experience” has had more than 1,000 performances at Davenport’s, making it Chicago’s longest running cabaret bar show. Singers who have sung at the “Experience” through the years will be featured, including Heather Currie, Matt Davis, Jenny Famey, Pamela Sue Fox, Jenifer French, Ann McGregor, Dan Michel, Ty Perry and Cheryl Szucsits.
Daryl Nitz Entertainment presents Everyone Loves a Piano
All shows begin at 8 p.m. There is an additional 10 p.m. performance of “Ladies Sing the Blues.”
Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave.
Tickets are $27 for “Signature with a Song,” (June 6) $35 for “Ladies Sing the Blues” (June 12) and “It was a Very Good Year” (June 20) and $22 for “The Nitz & Howe ‘All-Star’ Experience” (June 26)
(847) 677-7761; http://www.skokietheatre.com
