Auditorium Theatre Announces 2010 Cabaret Series Including Susan Werner & More

The Auditorium Theatre Of Roosevelt University (ATRU) announces the 2010 Summer Cabaret Series. The first offering, "On Stage with Susan Werner," continues the Auditorium's tradition of seating the audience at tables of six on the stage with the performers for a unique, up-close-and-personal concert. The remaining performances take the series "On the Road" to the Polo Café's Old Eagle Room at 3322 S. Morgan.

"With the extended production of Fuerza Bruta at the Auditorium this summer, we are unable to offer our regular ‘On Stage with...' Series," said Auditorium Executive Director Brett Batterson. "Taking the series to the Old Eagle Room allows us to continue presenting exciting musical artists in an intimate setting."

Performances begin on Thursday, May 13 with singer-songwriter Susan Werner, returning for her fifth "On Stage with..." performance. Throughout the course of her colorful career, Werner has cultivated a reputation as an innovative songwriter with a killer live show. The Chicago Tribune hails Werner as "a triply blessed artist who sings adroitly, plays the piano smartly and, best of all, writes songs of genuine distinction and high craft."

Werner, who performs on piano and guitar, will be accompanied by Trina Hamlin on percussion and harmonica and Gail Ann Dorsey, who recently toured with David Bowie, on electric bass. The performance will include selections from her 2009 album "Classics," favorites from previous releases and songs from her upcoming Blues project. Werner's ongoing exploration of musical genres includes the Songbook style compositions of "I Can't Be New," the 2007 agnostic gospel project "The Gospel Truth" and the chamber music experiment "Classics." Now the Chicago native, a first-rate guitarist, is embarking on an exploration of Chicago's own native language - the Blues.

On Stage with Susan Werner is Thursday, May 13 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $75/$50. There is a 10% discount with the purchase of at least six seats. Tickets are available at the Auditorium Theatre box office at 50 E Congress Parkway, by phone at 312.922.2110 ext 300 or online at Ticketmaster.com/Auditorium.

The "On the Road with..." Series includes:

KT McCammond: KT Sings Kitt
Saturday, June 12
Dinner at 6:30pm, performance at 8pm
Polo Café's Old Eagle Room, 3322 S. Morgan, Chicago
McCammond will perform a celebration of the life and music of the immortal Eartha Kitt. Cabaret Hotline hails this act as a "delicious tribute" in which KT "weaves her story and Kitt's...into a seamless evening of top-notch entertainment." Tickets ($60) include a buffet dinner and are available at the Auditorium Theatre box office at 50 E Congress Parkway or by phone at 312.922.2110 ext 300.

Jessie Arlen (Chicago Premiere)
Saturday, July 17
Dinner at 6:30pm, performance at 8pm
Polo Café's Old Eagle Room, 3322 S. Morgan, Chicago
A crossover artist with roots in jazz, Arlen is a classification-defying singer who embraces songs in a way that defies her youth. Arlen's debut recording Certain Surprise features unique and original arrangements of jazz standards, including Cole Porter's "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To," Ann Ronell's "Willow Weep For Me," Fats Waller's "Honeysuckle Rose," and Burt Bacharach's "What The World Needs Now Is Love." Tickets ($60) include a buffet dinner and are available at the Auditorium Theatre box office at 50 E Congress Parkway or by phone at 312.922.2110 ext 300.

Dakota Horvath
Saturday, August 21
Dinner at 6:30pm, performance at 8pm
Polo Café's Old Eagle Room, 3322 S. Morgan, Chicago
Horvath creates an unforgettable evening of cabaret by weaving his own memories with his music. He'll tell the audience about how his parents' record collection of American Songbook legends like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Jack Jones and Barbara Streisand inspired him to pursue music at the age of two, leading him to open for Natalie Cole and perform at Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's wedding. Tickets ($60) include a buffet dinner and are available at the Auditorium Theatre box office at 50 E Congress Parkway or by phone at 312.922.2110 ext 300.

ABOUT THE AUDITORIUM Theatre OF ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY

The Auditorium Theatre Of Roosevelt University, located at 50 E. Congress Parkway, is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural and community programming to Chicago, and to the continued restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre. This September, the Auditorium Theatre begins a year-long celebration of its 120th anniversary, and a number of special events will be announced in the coming months. For more information about programming, volunteer and donor opportunities or theater tours, call (312) 922-2110 or visit auditoriumtheatre.org.

ABOUT THE POLO CAFÉ'S OLD EAGLE ROOM

The Old Eagle Room, 3322 S. Morgan, was originally built in 1914 as a neighborhood movie house called The Eagle Theater. Currently used as a performance and event space, the Old Eagle Room features a three-manual Rodgers 360 Theatre Organ and, on the stage, a rare solid walnut 1964 Wurlitzer Grand Piano. The Sun-Times says, "...it has some of the best acoustics in the city." The Old Eagle Room is attached to the Polo Café, hailed by WGN's Rick Kogan as "...one of the city's hidden treasures." Dave Samber is owner/chef of the Polo Café and Old Eagle Room.