Sat 4/29 @ 7:30PM
Since moving to Cleveland more than 20 years ago, British-born actress/vocalist Helen Welch has maintained an active presence in the local music scene, applying her jazzy pop vocals style to Christmas-themed shows, shows of Carpenters tunes and the music of the Beatles. She’s performed with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, the Akron Symphony Orchestra, and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. She’s done specialty shows too, featuring distinctive arrangements of songs by artists she likes.
She’s got one such show coming up called “Superstar. The Songs. The Stories. The Carpenters,” which she describes as a “doc-musical,” saying it’s “not a tribute concert, but an original, fresh perspective of songs peppered with vignettes that finally captures the true quality and essence of the Carpenters in and uplifting and respectful manner.” It will include more than 20 tunes as well as behind-the-scenes stories. She’ll be joined by her usual band, featuring drummer Anthony Taddeo, bassist Bryan Thomas, pianist Joe Leaman and guitarist Charlie Trenta. She says that Richard Carpenter has given his thumbs-up to this show.
No one who’s familiar with her Carpenters Christmas shows will be surprised by Welch’s affection of the band. She shares how Karen Carpenter was an influence on her own musical career, saying that she “found her confidence and voice” by listening to Karen and the Carpenters. She also has a soundtrack album of the show, which will take place at Playhouse Square’s Mimi Ohio Theatre.
Get tickets here.