SKOKIE— Chicago born singer, cabaret performer, writer, lyricist and actress, Charlene Brooks, performs “Side by Side by Gersheim” at the Skokie Theatre Saturday, April 25 at 8 p.m. Brooks, whose voice has been compared to Barbra Streisand‘s performs an evening of George Gershwin and Stephen Sondheim, two of America’s greatest songwriters at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave in Skokie. Tickets to Brooks’ one night only engagement are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. To purchase tickets call 847.677.7761 or visit skokietheatre.com.
“Side by Side by Gersheim” expresses Brooks’ passion for the music of her two favorite composers as she masterfully intertwines their songs to create an evening that reflects the perfect balance of Gershwin and Sondheim’s unmatched contribution to Broadway and popular culture. Highlights of the evening’s selection includes Gershwin’s Strike up the Band, I Got Rhythm, ‘Swonderful, Can’t Take That Away, Love is Here to Stay and Sondheim’s Broadway, I Never Do Anything Twice, Some People, Being Alive and many more. Brooks, the consummate singer and storyteller weaves personal stories about these songs into the evening and uses her quick wit, insight and charm to delight the audience throughout the evening. Accompanying Brooks is Jeremy Kahn on piano, who has performed for many Broadway shows and recently finished playing in Chicago’s production of Wicked and Scott Bentall on trombone, who has played with Frank Sinatra and in many Broadway productions as well. Two other Chicago talents joining Brooks include Jim Cox on bass, who works regularly with famed pianist Marian McPartland. He also performs with the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, and Jeff Thomas, a veteran of countless shows and clubs, on drums.
Brooks has been performing her entire life and has an outstanding list of accomplishments. Her professional career highlights include opening for Tony Bennett, Alan King, traveling with Orion Samuelson on WGN Radio’s “Noon Show,” and her cabaret shows “Brooks on Broadway,” “Brooks Sings Barbra Streisand,” “You Call That Love,” and her very personal story about being the daughter of two Holocaust survivors, “Life Stinks! (and other things my mother taught me).” Brooks has performed before thousands of fans throughout the Midwest including Milwaukee’s Summerfest, Taste of Chicago and a variety of clubs and cabarets. In addition to her professional career as vocalist, Brooks is also the Cantorial Soloist at Congregation Bene Shalom, in Skokie.
Another aspect of Brooks’ talents is the creation of the Custom Cabaret. Brooks, utilizing her strengths as comedian, musician and lyricist, creates a unique party event. Custom Cabaret is a personalized musical tribute to a person celebrating a milestone birthday, or retirement, and couples celebrating engagements, weddings, anniversaries, or any special moment in a person’s life. Brooks works directly with the person, friend or family member to learn the intricate details of the guest of honor’s life, focusing on the script and the perfect music to create a cabaret performance specifically tailored to the person. To learn more about Custom Cabaret visit www.charlenebrooks.com.
Charlene Brooks performs “Side by Side by Gersheim,” songs by Gershwin and Sondheim at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave, Saturday, April 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.skokietheatre.com or by calling 847.677.7761 for $20. Tickets purchased at the venue the night of the engagement are $25. To learn more about Charlene Brooks visit www.charlenebrooks.com.
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