Charlene Brooks Brings an Evening of Sondheim to the Skokie Theatre Tonight

Chicago born singer, cabaret performer, writer, lyricist and actress, Charlene Brooks, returns to the Skokie Theatre in Putting It Together, directed by Dale Calandra, tonight, June 27 at 8 p.m. at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave. Brooks will be performing with her six piece band including Kevin Disch, piano; Jim Cox, bass; Eric Monzka, drums and Doug Schuler on trumpet leading the horn section. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased by calling 847.677.7761 or visiting skokietheatre.com.

Charlene Brooks is the rare artist who has sold out every performance at the Skokie Theatre. She now returns to the Skokie stage in an all-new show that continues to stretch and evolve her musical talents. Celebrating the music of Stephen Sondheim, the man who changed the direction of musical theatre, Brooks will perform such greats as "You Could Drive a Person Crazy," "The Little Things You Do Together," "Something's Coming," "No One is Alone," "Children Will Listen," "Some People," "Move On" and "Old Friends." Brooks is known for her very personal and professional performances where she interacts with the audience throughout the performance creating an intimate and emotional connection.

"This performance has become one of favorites to create and I cannot wait to share it with an audience. With Dale directing, the six piece band and my stories of becoming who I am as a performer as told through the songs of the incredible Sondheim, Putting it Together has easily become a highlight of my career," said Brooks.

Brooks has been performing her entire life and has an outstanding list of accomplishments. JUF News says, "The world is her stage!" Pioneer Press writes ""The totally engaging Charlene Brooks is sure to charm..." and Cabaret Hotline declares "[Brooks gives a] ... grand performance. Charlene has an amazing voice, and her tales bring down the house." 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, performed all over the country. Brooks has performed before thousands of fans throughout the Midwest including Milwaukee's Summerfest, Taste of Chicago, Metropolis Theatre, and a variety of clubs and cabarets.

ABOUT DALE CALANDRA, director

Dale Calandra made his stage debut at the age of ten and has been involved with show business ever since. Calandra is an actor, who has appeared in over 200 productions throughout the Chicagoland area including his critically acclaimed role in Victory Garden's The Whale, a director of more than 50 productions and specializes in one-actor productions, and, for 12 years, was the artistic director of Festival Theatre, Illinois' oldest outdoor Shakespeare Company. Calandra has a BFA Degree, Suma Cum Laude, from the University of Illinois in Urbana and studied professionally with Edward Kaye-Martin. He is on the Faculty at Columbia College and Roosevelt University. Calandra is a Guest Lecturer/Master Teacher and has worked with numerous academic, civic and professional organizations. He currently is creative director of Planet III Entertainment, a Independent film production company.

Stephen Sondheim is an American composer and lyricist known for his immense contributions to musical theatre for more than 50 years. He is the winner of an Academy Award, eight Tony Awards (more than any other composer) including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, eight Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and the Laurence Olivier Award. Sondheim has written material for movies, including the 1981 Warren Beatty film Reds, for which he contributed the song "Goodbye For Now." He also wrote five songs for the 1990 movie Dick Tracy, including a song performed by Madonna that won the Academy Award for Best Song. In celebration of his 80th birthday, the former Henry Miller's Theatre was renamed the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.

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.

Chicago born singer, cabaret performer, writer, lyricist and actress, Charlene Brooks, returns to the Skokie Theatre in Putting It Together, directed by Dale Calandra, Saturday, June 27 at 8 p.m. at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave. Brooks will be performing with her six piece band including Kevin Disch, piano; Jim Cox, bass; Eric Monzka, drums and Doug Schuler on trumpet leading the horn section. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased by calling 847.677.7761 or visiting skokietheatre.com.