Menzie & Michael to Play New Cabaret Series at North Central College 2/13

Couples can celebrate Valentine's Day weekend with romantic music from the silver screen when award-winning duo Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael perform "Reel Love: An Evening of Hollywood Romance" Feb. 13 at North Central College.

Cabaret Scenes magazine calls Menzie and Michael one of nation's top 10 cabaret acts. "Reel Love" features performances of such favorite movie melodies as "Charade," "Stepping Out With My Baby" and "Abba Dabba Honeymoon." The evening includes tunes from such beloved films as "The Wizard of Oz," "Chicago," "Easter Parade" and "An American In Paris."

"Reel Love: An Evening of Hollywood Romance" begins at 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, in North Central College's Madden Theatre at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Tickets are $25; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

The Chicago Tribune calls Menzie and Michael "one of the most compelling duos in cabaret today." Their imaginative musical twists on jazz favorites, pop standards and songs from Broadway shows and Hollywood films have won acclaim from critics and audiences from their homes in the Chicago area and at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York.

Menzie's rich voice and expert piano stylings sizzle on everything from sassy swing to smoky torch songs. A three-time winner of After Dark Chicago's Outstanding Cabaret Artist Award, Menzie is a diva-in-demand praised by WGN radio as "one of the city's finest performers." Her critically acclaimed solo CD "Real Emotional Girl" garnered national radio play and was hailed by Cabaret Scenes as "one of the year's finest." Visit beckiemenzie.com to learn more.

Michael's two solo releases, "Written in the Stars" and "Sailing On," have received international critical acclaim and radio play. Billboard Magazine says, "What's extraordinary is the singer's presentation; one of those voices tailor-made to travel far and wide in the world of adult pop." He is a two-time Chicago After Dark Award winner, and NY Backstage Magazine calls him "one of the most striking singers to emerge in the last few years." Visit tommichael.net to learn more.

North Central College's 2010-2011 Sesquicentennial Fine & Performing Arts Season is supported by a generous grant from the Illinois Arts Council. USG Corporation and Navistar, Inc. are underwriting sponsors.

This performance is one of many ongoing programs at North Central College to enrich and broaden the cultural and academic outlook for the College and community. North Central offers a variety of venues accommodating a rich range of local and world-class events, performances and space needs for the public. For a comprehensive schedule of musical performances, theatrical and dance productions, art exhibits and lectures, visit northcentralcollege.edu/show or call the box office at 630-637-SHOW (7469).