Who is Karen Michaels?

Simply, my viewpoints on various aspects of my life. Singer-Actress-Mommy- IPhone lover and Macbook worshiper! The Little Man's Mommy and the Big Man's Wife. Always working on improving and learning! Love the Lord and love life! Hear my music on iTunes with Dangerous Curves, "Girl Talk" and "Laugh-A-Long Songs" with some of the local celebrities of Las Vegas!
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Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Rebecca Spencer and Philip Fortenberry

So today was a great day on SO many levels!  First of all, its Father’s Day and we are so happy to be Mommy and Daddy!  But today, Gramma and Poppa took the Little Man for the afternoon and we got to have an adult afternoon of conversation and fabulous performing!
Rebecca Spencer, (on the roster of KMP Artists) formerly of “Phantom, the Las Vegas Spectacular” and quite frankly, formerly a plethora of other cool things, performed her new cabaret show “Waitin’” at one of my fave places in town to perform, the Flamingo Library Theatre.  
It was so completely thrilling and inspiring to have what I would call “straight ahead New York style cabaret” right here in our little town of Vegas!  The stage was set beautifully with flowers and candles and decor.  Rebecca opened with the title of the show, “Waitin’”, a song I didn’t know but now love!  Rebecca is a beautiful singer, which I fully expected, but I was also hoping to see how she handled the “cabaret” experience.  The cabaret experience for me is one that does several things.  First it lets the audience in on some intimate moments of the performer’s life. Secondly, makes them feel something that relates to their life and finally gorgeous singing and music, which, of course, makes you feel something inside, as well.  
Well, feel something, we did!  Rebecca is a masterful storyteller.  There were times when I felt like we were having our own conversation and I was learning more about her life, as if we were new friends having a conversation about the past.  I just loved how the songs were interwoven into her patter.  It was a seamless transition from spoken word to sung.  Of course, this was due in part to her BEYOND fabulous collaborator and pianist, Philip Fortenberry.  The way her followed her and wove his own musical story around hers tells me that theirs is a relationship of some depth.  He even took a couple of moments in the show to new heights with his spectacular playing, my favorite being when he put the Mozart Piano Sonata No. 16 in C right in the middle of the Ragtime Medley!  Clever!  For her, my favorite musical moments were “The Wildhorn Years”, the original song by Nicole Pryor (wow, I have talented friends!) ”The Mirror Holds the Key” and the original song by Keith Thompson (just the director and conductor of Jersey Boys!) “Eat, Drink and Be Mary!”  I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Bruce Ewing ( a local amazing talent) who sang “Sarah” during “The Wildhorn Years”.  I haven’t had the opportunity to hear him recently and it was a real treat.
After the show, Rebecca was gracious and warm with her group of fans and friends alike. Many of Vegas’ supporters and performers of live music were there including Susan Haller, Tina Walsh, KMP Artists and the super sweet and sassy Esther Lynn of the Claire Voyant column.  
I think cabaret is the perfect way to spend an afternoon or evening.  And, Rebecca Spencer and Philip Fortenberry certainly did give us a perfect afternoon!
Do you need fabulous entertainment for your next event, wedding or party?  Let me help you make your next event unforgettable!  You can find me at Gigmasters, LinkedIn and Twitter and of course, at karenmerstikmichaels.com!