OFFBEAT: Voices of Disney's 'Mulan' and 'Buddy Holly' here in NWI
Mich
OFFBEAT: Voices of Disney's 'Mulan' and 'Buddy Holly' here in NWI
Philip Potempa - philip....@nwi.com, (219) 852-4327 | Posted:
Friday, September 25, 2009 12:00 am
We have two "best kept secret" performances that are of note this
weekend and I want to be sure Times readers have the scoop.
At 9 p.m. Saturday at the Horseshoe Casino's The Venue, there's a
great 8 p.m. concert showcasing the talents of headliner Lea Salonga-
Chein. My "Girl Friday" Ann Scamerhorn gets the credit for alerting me
to this gem.
Even if the name of this songtress doesn't "ring a bell," her
impressive resume will give some clues. A multiawarded Filipino singer
and actress who is best known for her acclaimed portrayal of Kim in
the musical "Miss Saigon." In the field of musical theater, she is
recognized for having won the Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics
and Theatre World Awards and she's the first to win various
international awards for a single role.
She was also the first Asian to play Eponine in the musical "Les
Misérables" on Broadway. Still not familiar with her work? She's also
a starring voice of some of the favorite and more recent Walt Disney
feature film classics. In 1992, her beautiful and distinct (sadly,
uncredited) voice was heard as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine
in "Aladdin." (Actress Linda Larkin provided the speaking voice.)
Lea's abilities and the attention earned the main spotlight by 1998
and her voice provided the voice of the title character in Disney's
"Mulan" opposite Donny Osmond.
Tickets range from $40 to $95 and are available at (219) 473-6060 or
thevenue-chicago.com.
Also, on Saturday, singer and actor Marshall Crenshaw is playing
Valparaiso's own Memorial Opera House, 104 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso,
with one concert at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $25 and $35. Reader
Kevin Casey of Valparaiso gave me this great tip. Crenshaw holds the
distinction of having played the legendary Buddy Holly in the 1987
film favorite "La Bamba" opposite actor Lou Diamond Phillips' Ritchie
Valens. He also scored a top 40 hit in 1982 with "Someday, Someway"
from the Ron Howard film "Night Shift" starring Shelley Long, Henry
Winkler and Michael Keaton.
For tickets, call (219) 548-9137 or visit mohlive.com.