“Girls Like Us” takes the stage at the Grace Theater in Princeton this month for two shows. Festival 56 and the Princeton Theater Group welcome Chicago solo performers Laura Freeman, Beckie Menzie, and Marianne Murphy Orland. They joined forces in 2010 for a humorous look at Broadway and roles they were never destined to play (Miss Cast) and found that not only did their voices blend, but so did their senses of humor. The ladies discovered that creating arrangements unique to them was something they all enjoyed. Since then, they have created six different collaborations spotlighting their talents and will be bringing two of those shows to Princeton.
On Thursday, April 11th, at 7:30 PM, with their tribute “Barbra, Bette, and Bernadette,” Girls Like Us highlights the music and lives of Streisand, Midler, and Peters, the ultimate divas of stage, screen, and popular music, with humor, history, and song.
On Friday, April 12th, at 7:30 PM, Laura, Beckie, and Marianne blend their unique performing styles into a delightful evening dedicated to showcasing the music and stories of three singers who dared to break tradition and become what none had been before them–female confessors in song, rock superstars, and adventurers of heart and soul. After reading Sheila Weller’s book, Girls Like Us, and discussing how Carly Simon, Carole King, and Joni Mitchell had made such a huge impact on them and their artistry, “Girls Like Us: The Music of Carole King, Carly Simon, and Joni Mitchell” was born. This show has taken Laura, Beckie, and Marianne from private concerts in New York City to theaters and other venues throughout the Midwest, touching a chord with all who see it.
The Grace Theater is located at 316 S. Main Street in downtown Princeton. The box office will be open from 3 to 6 PM on Wednesday–Friday, April 10th–12th, as well as an hour before each show. Patrons may also call 815-879-5656, or purchase tickets online at festival56.com. Support for these performances was provided in part by the Illinois Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation. The Princeton Theater Group thanks Princeton Quilters Cottage for providing accommodation for the performers.
