A local concert series that averaged more than 350 people per show before the COVID-19 pandemic returns Aug. 19 with a hometown favorite from Broadway.
Columbus native Mary Claire King, who sold out two previous shows in the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic’s Cabaret at The Commons lineup, will perform a concert she has titled “Always Been a Rainbow!” It will mark her first public performance since March 2020 when “Chicago,” in which she plays the the understudy leading role of Velma Kelly, was shut down with other shows.
She had been with the production, also as a member of the ensemble, for nine months at the time.
“I can’t think of a sweeter way to return to the stage,” King said. “And it’s extremely special to be able to do that in front of so many wonderful people who have been a part of my story from the very beginning.”
King has stayed busy in various ways during Broadway’s shutdown scheduled to end Sept. 14. That’s when “Chicago” is scheduled to open again in New York City.
“That’s really, really exciting,” she said. “This definitely has been a challenge, and I know the impact has been felt across a lot of families, industries, and more. I just feel blessed that I have been well, and my family has been well.
“And I’m happy that the arts are going to be revitalized here (in New York) very shortly.”
She performed in the leading role of “Chicago” in the fall of 2019 when a group from Columbus came to see her.
VIP tickets — those seats closest to the stage — have sold out for King’s show, according to Heidi Kelley, Philharmonic executive director. Those have been purchased by season subscribers as part of a season package. Single tickets to each show go on sale July 19.
A total of 400 seats, normal capacity for the series, will be available for each concert at the venue at 300 Washington St. downtown.
The cabaret music series, highlighting top-tier performers performing mostly acoustic sets, is a Philharmonic artist-sharing partnership with The Cabaret in Indianapolis. The local orchestra launched the series with a sold-out show in January 2015 with King. The series has steadily and regularly attracted top vocal and musical talent from Broadway, television and the movies.
Regular attendees give the series high marks for elements ranging from parking convenience to often having a chance to mix and mingle with the visiting stars after the performances. Besides local ticket buyers, it has attracted people from surrounding cities, including metro areas such as Cincinnati.
The biggest crowd for a single show was 457 people for Rumer Willis on July 21, 2016, shortly after she had won TV’s “Dancing with the Stars” competition.
The other three cabaret shows are:
Sept. 22: Featuring Megan Hilty, who sold out a previous local cabaret in 2016 in a matter of days. She originally was slated to return in June of last year, but the pandemic canceled that. She has starred in the TV show “Smash,” and on Broadway in “Wicked,” “Noises Off,” “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” and more.
Nov. 18: Featuring Beth Leavel, soon to star as Miranda Priestly in Elton John’s upcoming Broadway musical adaptation of “The Devil Wears Prada!” The Philharmonic website describes her show thusly: “One of Broadway’s biggest and beltiest divas shares an evening of songs and stories from her 13-show showbiz journey. From her Tony-nominated star turn in ‘The Prom,’ to her Tony-winning, scene-stealing performance as the title character in ‘The Drowsy Chaperone,’ to her spandex and spangles clad lead in ‘Mamma Mia!’”
Dec. 9: Featuring Ana Gasteyer in a holiday show titled “Sugar and Booze,” a follow-up to her previous, critically acclaimed debut “I’m Hip.” The former “Saturday Night Live” comedic TV star will perform both original and classic holiday tunes. Her Broadway credits include “Wicked” and “The Rocky Horror Show.”
