McPHERSON — Famed cabaret singer Marilyn Maye is returning to the McPherson Opera House on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m.
By now, she has received almost every accolade and award a person could receive: for the last three years running “Celebrity Artist of the Year,” MAC Awards (Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs); twice “Outstanding Cabaret Vocalist,” New York’s Night Life Critics Award; The Mabel Mercer Award (In the 21 years of the Mabel Mercer Convention’s existence, they have presented this award to only four other major artists); Kansan of the Year (this coming year); Kansas Citian of 2012, Kansas Musician of the year; numerous Lifetime Achievement awards; and on and on it goes.
It’s not the awards, though. It’s the music, her way with a song, her impeccable phrasing, her playful joy with the American songbook, her rapport with the audience. All of these will be on full display at the McPherson Opera House, an intimate venue ideally suited to her intimate style, a hallmark of cabaret.
“I booked Marilyn Maye the first time on the basis of her reputation. I’d never heard her live,” John Holecek, Opera House Executive Director said. “Seeing her perform, though, I was enraptured, enthralled, and enthused. I had never seen or heard anything like it, especially considering she’s 85. Cabaret was a whole new world for me, and I immediately invited her back. If you are going to see only one show at the Opera House this season, which I hope isn’t the case, come see this one. The one and only thing we can give a woman who’s got everything is a sold-out show.”
Tickets and information are available at 620-241-1962 or online at mcphersonoperahouse.org. Marilyn Maye’s performance is sponsored by Home State Bank and Trust and KMUW, 98.1, Wichita Public Radio.