Artist Bio: Chuck Larkin

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Chuck Larkin

Chuck Larkin is an award-winning pianist, music director, conductor, composer, and cabaret artist. Larkin spent seven years as Associate Conductor and Keyboard player for the Broadway hit Jersey Boys in both the Broadway in Chicago and National Tour casts. Music Director credits include world premieres of Mr Dickens' Hat, Shining Lives, and River's End; Chicago productions of Far From Home, Sentimental Journey: A Musical Tale of Love and War, A Civil War Christmas, and At Wit's End; as well as multiple seasons at American Folklore Theatre in Door County, Wisconsin. A renowned Cabaret artist, Larkin is a regular at Chicago's Davenport's, Venus Cabaret, and countless other club venues. He also toured extensively with Franc D'Ambrosio's Broadway Cabaret series. As a composer and lyricist, his credits include Hen Lake, Sophie's Masterpiece, and the award-winning River's End. An evening of his songs, Keep Me In Love, earned an After Dark Award for Chicago's Number 1 Cabaret Show. Larkin has performed his original work at the Chicago Humanities Festival, New York's ASCAP/MAC songwriter showcase, and onstage at Carnegie Hall in "Now and Then," a salute to contemporary songwriters. He music directs and plays in several shows with Artists Lounge Live nationwide.

Artist Bio: WILLIAM KURK

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WILLIAM KURK

William Kurk is a diverse and in-demand piano and synthesizer aficionado, music director, band leader, composer, brand ambassador, and recording artist. Born in Chicago, Kurk's renowned musical family includes his grandmother, composer, educator, and author Reverend Dr. Lena Mclin, and great-granduncle Thomas A. Dorsey, the father of gospel music. Chicago theatre credits include Music Directing Sarafina (Black Theatre Alliance Award nomination), Once On This Island, Ragtime, Hair, Runaways, Godspell, Nefertiti, The Wiz, and Cabaret. He also music directs several concerts in theaters nationwide with Artists Lounge Live. Television appearances include playing keys for the NBA All-Star Game. Kurk has toured with popular acts including The Dells, Marvelettes, Platters, and Coasters, and accompanied an array of notable artists including Dionne Warwick, Melba Moore, Martha Reeves, Koko Taylor, Andre DeShields, Taylor Dane, Chico DeBarge, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, KRS-ONE, Kool Moe Dee, Michelle Williams, Ronnie DeVoe, and Bill Cosby. As a recording artist, Kurk has released seven full-length albums, including The Sound: Volumes 1,2, & 3, Pop Fusion, Super Pop Fusion, Legacy, and Willionaire. He founded the band William Kurk Enterprise and performed with popular Chicago band Lakeshore Encores. Kurk is the host of web series Synth Sounds Of and the documentary Electric Rhythm for Reverb.com. He is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a BM in Composition. Follow "Captain" Kurk on Insta, & Youtube: @williamkurk.

Artist Bio: JEREMY KAHN

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Jeremy Kahn

Jeremy Kahn is a distinguished Chicago pianist, dividing his time between jazz venues, pit orchestras, and recording and teaching studios. He has performed with many musical luminaries including Dizzy Gillespie, Aretha Franklin, Mary Wilson, Madonna, Joni Mitchell, Branford Marsalis, Chet Atkins, Max Roach, Ray Brown, Tito Puente, Barbara Cook, and Leslie Uggams. Theatre credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (w. Donny Osmond), Cinderella (w. Eartha Kitt), Fiddler On the Roof (w. Theodore Bikel), Spamalot (w. Tim Curry, Hank Azaria, David Hyde Pierce), Grease (w. Sheena Easton), The King and I (w. Maureen McGovern), Hot Mikado (Conductor), Louie & Keely Live At The Sahara (Conductor), Pal Joey (Conductor), Cats, Crazy For You, La Cage Aux Folles, Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast, Jersey Boys, West Side Story, Wicked, and The Wizard of Oz. Other appearances include Chicago and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestras, and Chicago, Hyde Park, and Poznan (Poland) Jazz Festivals. Mr. Kahn is a faculty member of Northwestern University, DePaul University, Elmhurst College, and the Music Institute of Chicago. Recordings include Most Of A Nickel, The Jitterbug Waltz, and Joy Road: Volumes 1 and 2. He was also featured in the Emmy-nominated special Get Happy: Angela Ingersoll Sings Judy Garland on PBS. kahnman.com

Artist Bio: Jo Ann Daugherty

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JO ANN DAUGHERTY

Pianist, conductor, musical director, recording artist, composer and arranger Jo Ann Daugherty loves making all kinds of music. She recently returned to Chicago after touring the US as Music Director/Conductor of SIX: The Musical First National Tour. Her work with jazz multi-reedist Victor Goines has included performing in beautiful spaces such as Dizzy’s Club and Smoke in NYC, Satchmo Fest in New Orleans, Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai, and Havana Jazz Festival in Cuba. As a solo artist, her jazz trio album Bring Joy earned a 4-star review from Downbeat Magazine and was listed as one of their “Best Albums of 2017.” Plans are in the works for more recording in early 2023. Her work as a music director and keyboardist has led to conducting and playing with touring Broadway productions (SIX, Jersey Boys, Motown: The Musical and more); arranging, directing, and performing concert specials for PBS with Under the Streetlamp; playing productions with Lyric Opera of Chicago (Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story); music-supervising and playing on the orchestral soundtrack of the wildlife documentary To The Ends of the Earth; and music-directing and playing on tour with Artists Lounge Live’s An Unforgettable Nat King Cole Christmas. She has led or collaborated on clinics with a focus on jazz and making a life as a professional musician at institutions such as Northwestern University, Florida State, Capital University, Truman State, University of Kansas, and Purdue University Fort Wayne, as well as numerous high schools and colleges in the Chicago area, and in Havana, Cuba. Past adventures include performing with the USO of Illinois, teaching jazz piano at Chicago’s Roosevelt University, leading her own group at the Chicago Jazz Festival twice, and jamming with amazing musicians in Madagascar. Based in Chicago, she loves to bring joy to people through music.

Artist Bio: MICHELLE LAUTO

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MICHELLE LAUTO

Chicago Tribune raves, “Truly wonderful... Lauto is a Broadway-quality performer.” Michelle Lauto is an award-winning New York based actor, singer, director, and educator. Lauto received Chicago's Jeff Award for her outstanding performance in the original Chicago cast of Forbidden Broadway's hit musical Spamilton. She also received a Jeff nomination for starring as Liza Minnelli in The Boy From Oz. Other theatre credits include In The Heights (Vanessa), Oklahoma! (Ado Annie), Hair (Sheila), Xanadu (Kira), Million Dollar Quartet (Dyanne), Grease (Marty), Ragtime (Evelyn Nesbit), 1776 (Abigail Adams), Sunset Boulevard (Betty), and Seussial (Mayzie). On screen, Lauto appears in commericals and co-stars in the musical drama Mixtape on Netflix. She is a graduate of The Second City Training Center. Concerts include My Happiness: Michelle Lauto Sings Connie Francis, as well as numerous cabaret appearances. michellelauto.com / Insta @michellelauto

Artist Bio: Michael Mahler

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MICHAEL MAHLER

Michael Mahler is a Richard Rodgers Award-winning composer/lyricist, music director, and actor. His Broadway and London West End credits include Miss Saigon, for which he contributed additional lyrics. He also served as premiere English lyricist for Boublil and Schönberg’s La Revolution Francaise. Mahler's original works as composer/lyricist include My Little Pony: A New Generation on Netflix, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, An American Tail, The Secret of My Success, October Sky (San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award), Hero (Jeff Award: New Work), Miracle (Jeff Award: New Work) The Man Who Murdered Sherlock Holmes (Jeff Award: New Work), and Painted Alice. Acting highlights: Broadway in Chicago's Working, Into the Woods, The Producers, Little Shop of Horrors, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Jeff nomination), Holiday Inn, Honeymoon in Vegas, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, They’re Playing Our Song, and It’s A Wonderful Life. Music Directing highlights: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Jeff Award), Parade (Jeff nomination), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Jeff nomination), and Road Show (Jeff nomination). With Artists Lounge Live: Feelin' Groovy: Michael Mahler Sings Paul Simon and Silly Love Songs: Michael Mahler Sings Paul McCartney. He is a graduate of Northwestern University and member of American Blues Theatre, Actors Equity, and ASCAP. Mahler's songs have been featured in concerts and showcases across the globe, including an evening at The Kennedy Center. His work is available through MTI, Broadway Licensing, and Dramatic Publishing. Michael is married to actress Dara Cameron and proud father to their son Ezra.

Artist Bio: Donica Lynn

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DONICA LYNN

Chicago Sun-Times calls her “Show-stopping: Her astonishing voice and fierce acting chops should catapult her to stardom.” Donica Lynn earned Chicago’s Jeff Award, Time Out Award, and Black Theatre Alliance Award for her performance as Effie in Dreamgirls. She also received a Jeff Award for her performance as Oda Mae Brown in Ghost The Musical. Lynn is a two-time brain tumor survivor currently battling a third cancerous tumor. For her courageous artistry, Chicago Tribune named her a Chicagoan of the Year. Other theatre credits include Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Jeff nomination), Blues in the Night (Jeff nomination), Sophisticated Ladies (Jeff nomination), 42nd Street, Call Me Madam, Rock of Ages, Hair, Hairspray, Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida, The Color Purple, Footloose, Barnum, Confessions of a P.I.M.P. (opposite Andre DeSheilds), Duke Ellington’s Queenie Pie, Caroline, or Change, Once On This Island, and A Wonder in My Soul. Television: Chicago Fire. Concerts: Aretha Franklin: Queen fo Soul. As a recording artist, Donica has performed, recorded, lent backgrounds vocals, and toured with artists including Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, New Kids on the Block, Natalie Cole, and Gladys Knight.

Artist Bio: John Michael Dias

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JOHN MICHAEL DIAS

Broadway World calls Dias “Perfection… once you see, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.” John Michael Dias is a Broadway actor and singer, internationally-acclaimed cabaret performer, recording artist, and creator. He appeared on Broadway as Neil Sedaka in the Tony and Grammy Award-winning hit Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. He originated the same role for the Beautiful First National Tour. Dias gained a nationwide following starring as Frankie Valli of the Four Seasons in the smash-hit Jersey Boys, playing the role on Broadway, as well as in the First National Tour, Las Vegas, and Chicago companies. He can also be seen singing special appearances nationwide with the vocal group The Doo-Wop Project. Concerts include Breaking Up Is Hard to Do: John Michael Dias Sings Neil Sedaka and Get Happy (a celebration of songs made famous by Judy Garland) with friend/collaborator Jacqueline Carnahan. Dias earned a BFA in Musical Theatre from Boston Conservatory. Dias’ solo album, Write This Way, which features intimate takes on Broadway and pop favorites like “Can’t Take My Eyes of of You” and “New York State of Mind” is available on all music streaming platforms.

Artist Bio: Michael Ingersoll

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MICHAEL INGERSOLL

Chicago Sun-Times declares, “He’s got star written all over him." Michael Ingersoll is an all-around entertainer who presents concerts nationwide as Executive Producer of Artists Lounge Live. He starred as Nick Massi of The Four Seasons in Jersey Boys, originating the Broadway tour casts in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago, and performing on The Emmy Awards, The Tonight Show, PBS' Capitol Fourth, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. He directed several productions of Jersey Boys regionally and appears on the album Seasons Greetings: A Jersey Boys Christmas produced by Bob Gaudio. Ingersoll also created the retro-rock vocal-group sensation Under the Streetlamp, seen in millions of homes on PBS. As a member of the original quartet, he recorded four PBS concert specials and five albums, and extensively toured the US and abroad, headlining historic venues including The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and Wolf Trap in Washington, DC. Other television: Chicago Fire, The Beast, Access Hollywood, co-producing three Streetlamp concert specials, and executive producing the Emmy-nominated Get Happy: Angela Ingersoll Sings Judy Garland. Film: Walk the Line (Donzil). Other theatre: tick, tick...BOOM! (Jonathan Larson, Jeff nomination), Of Mice and Men (George, Ostrander nomination), Floyd Collins (Floyd, Ostrander nomination), and Bat Boy: The Musical (Bat Boy, Ostrander nomination). Concerts with Artists Lounge Live include Southern Nights: Michael Ingersoll Sings Glen Campbell, Let's Hang On: A Rock & Soul Party, Jingle Bell Rock, and Hooked on a Feeling: Michael and Angela Ingersoll in Concert. artistsloungelive.com

Born in Kettering, OH, Ingersoll is an alum of Muse Machine (Dayton, OH) and earned a BFA in Acting from of Miami University. He spent his early professional years as a Young Company Member of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and a Company Member of Playhouse on the Square (Memphis, TN). As a professional artist, entrpreneur, producer, and business owner he engages students by conducting guest artist workshops and appeared as a Professional Development Speaker for OAPN (Ohio Arts Professionals Network). He is a proud union member, AEA and SAG/AFTRA. Ingersoll also fundraises for various organizations as an emcee/auctioneer, combining his entertainment experience with a deep-seated passion for service.

Artist Bio: Angela Ingersoll

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ANGELA INGERSOLL

Los Angeles Times cheers, “Ingersoll has incandescent star power.” Angela Ingersoll is an Emmy-nominated and award-winning actor, singer, director, and writer. She headlines stages nationwide in Get Happy: Angela Ingersoll Sings Judy Garland, receiving an Emmy nomination for her performance in the concert's television broadcast on PBS. She also won acclaim starring as Judy Garland in several productions of End of the Rainbow, winning Chicago's Jeff Award, a BroadwayWorld Award, and Los Angeles Times Woman of the Year in Theatre. Attracting the attention of Garland’s family, Ingersoll collaborated onstage with Joey Luft, earning the title "heiress apparent to the Garland legacy." Other theatre: Follies in concert (Sally Durant Plummer); How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Hedy LaRue, Jeff nomination), South Pacific (Nellie Forbush), Carousel (Julie Jordan), The Mistress Cycle (Anais Nin, Jeff nomination), The Secret Garden (Martha, Jeff nomination), Jekyll and Hyde (Lucy, Ostrander Award), Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Belle, Ostrander Award), Macbeth (Lady Macbeth, Ostrander Award), Much Ado About Nothing (Beatrice), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Mistress Quickly), Richard III (Lady Anne), Man of La Mancha (Aldonza, Ostrander nomination), Bat Boy: The Musical (Shelley, Ostrander Award), Ragtime (Evelyn Nesbit, Ostrander nomination), Nine (Carla), The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), and The Second City (Chicago and Hollywood). She attended Ithaca College, where she studied Opera and graduated with a BFA in Acting. Other television: Chicago PD. Other concerts include her holiday romp The 12 Dames of Christmas with Angela Ingersoll and Hooked on a Feeling: Michael and Angela Ingersoll in Concert. She and spouse Michael Ingersoll founded Artists Lounge Live, a Chicago-based production company creating and producing concerts nationwide. She is the Artistic Director of Artists Lounge Live, writing and directing many of their offerings. artistsloungelive.com, IG: @angela_ingersoll, angelaingersoll.com

Artist Bio: Brandon Bennett

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BRANDON BENNETT

Brandon Bennett is an internationally touring musician and renowned Elvis tribute artist. His uncanny performances have earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist” title bestowed by Elvis Presley Enterprises at Graceland. Bennett starred as Elvis Presley in the Chicago company of Million Dollar Quartet, and also won acclaim starring in the Montreal company of The Elvis Story. He headlines his powerful act Elvis My Way around the world for concerts, festivals, fairs, cruises, casinos, and corporate events. Featured television appearances include The Late Show with David Letterman, NBC Nightly News, and American Hot Rod. He also appears at professional sporting events for Chicago’s Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, and Bears, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the San Francisco Giants. A native son of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, Brandon’s southern roots, God-given talent, and natural resemblance to The King of Rock 'n Roll allow him to uniquely evoke the unmistakable essence of Elvis onstage. He has been honored to work alongside music legends such as DJ Fontana, The Jordanaires, and The Sweet Inspirations, as well as open for Diamond Rio, Ronnie Millsap, and Chuck Berry. Other headlining concerts include Friends in Low Places: Brandon Bennett Sings Garth Brooks. Follow Brandon on Facebook or visit elvismyway.com.

Artist Bio: Erich Bergen

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ERICH BERGEN

The Los Angeles Times raves, “with his lanky good looks and vibrant intensity, Bergen’s charisma feeds off the spotlight.” Erich Bergen is an American television, film, and stage actor raised in New York City. He co-stared on CBS's Madam Secretary opposite Tea Leoni, and starred as Bob Gaudio in the Clint Eastwood-directed feature film Jersey Boys. Bergen played that role on stage for more than 1,000 performances in the Grammy- and Tony-winning Best Musical of the same name. Bergen made his Broadway debut starring as Dr Pomatter in Waitress. He also appeared in Roundabout Theatre Company National Tour's production of Anything Goes as Billy Crocker. Other television credits include Gossip Girl, Desperate Housewives, Franklin and Bash, Person of Interest, The Tonight Show, and America’s Got Talent. When not acting on screen, Bergen performs live shows as a solo singer and pianist, modeling his shows off the romantically old school feel of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. His self titled debut album and his original solo EP Never Give Up are available on iTunes. @erichbergen

Artist Bio: Jared Bradshaw

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JARED BRADSHAW

Sound and Town cheers, “Bradshaw delivers an electrifying performance.” Jared Bradshaw is a Broadway veteran turned Disney World resident. He headlines Artists Lounge Live concerts nationwide in Swinging On A Star: Jared Bradshaw Sings Bing Crosby and A Bing Crosby Christmas. Bradshaw starred as Willy Wonka (US/perf) in the original Broadway cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, also performing the role for the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall. He appeared in Jersey Boys for an eight year run, swinging several roles in the Broadway, Off-Broadway, Chicago, and First National Tour casts. Off-Broadway, he hilariously spoofed celebrities in Forbidden Broadway, including Hugh Jackman, Harry Connick Jr, and John Travolta. Other credits nationwde include the world premiere musical Dave (Pre-Broadway), The Music Man (Harold Hill), Singing in the Rain (Don Lockwood), Guys and Dolls (Nathan Detroit), Parade (Leo Frank), Jekyll and Hyde (Jekyll/Hyde), West Side Story (Riff), Cabaret (Cliff), The Last Five Years (Jamie), and numerous productions of Smokey Joe’s Cafe. Additionally, he entertained audiences around the world aboard Disney Cruise Ships. Currently, Bradshaw performs for Walt Disney Entertainment in Finding Nemo: The Big, Blue, and Beyond as the actor/puppeteer for Great White Shark Bruce at Disney's Animal Kingdom. He is married to Broadway actress Lindsay Northen. jaredbradshaw.com, @bwaymjjared

Artist Bio: Katie Deal

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KATIE DEAL

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel cheers, "Deal shines when she sings." Katie Deal is an award-winning singer-songwriter and actress known for her authentic country sound. Deal is the recipient of a Georgia Country Artist of the Year Award, Atlanta Society of Entertainers Recording Artist of the Year Award, and an honored member of the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. She has performed with country icon Loretta Lynn and appears as a frequent guest vocalist with Atlanta Pops Orchestra. As a recording artist and singer-songwriter, Katie has written and/or performed with top Nashville songwriters including Bruce Burch (Reba McEntire), Amanda Colleen Williams (Garth Brooks), Brandon Bush (Sugarland), and John Driskell Hopkins (Zac Brown Band). As an actress, Deal won acclaim starring in National Tours and numerous productions of A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline and Always…Patsy Cline. Other theatre credits nationwide include 9 to 5 (Doralee), Ring of Fire (June Carter), Back Home Again: On the Road with John Denver, Keep on the Sunny Side (Sara Carter), and The Spitfire Grill (Percy, Ostrander Award nomination). Film credits include Let’s Be Cops and Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk. Concerts include I Will Always Love You: Katie Deal Sings Dolly Parton, Country Sunshine: The Legendary Ladies of Nashville, Wildflowers: The Women of Country Music, Classic Nashville Roadshow, Today, Tomorrow & Forever: A Tribute to Patsy Cline, and Patsy Cline: Sweet Dreams of You. katiedeal.com

Artist Bio: Sara Jean Ford

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SARA JEAN FORD

Sara Jean Ford is an actor, singer, and writer. She made her Broadway debut starring as Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera. Also on Broadway: Cats (Jellylorum), How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (Smitty), A Little Night Music (Petra), and Finian’s Rainbow (Arlene). Off-Broadway: The Fantasticks (Luisa, Original Revival Cast), Anyone Can Whistle (June) at Encores!, and Eric Whitacre’s Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings (Pieta) at both Carnegie Hall and Disney Hall. National Tours: Wicked (Glinda/Nessarose cover) and The Phantom of the Opera (Christine Daaé). Regional highlights include Sunday in the Park With George (Dot), 9 to 5 (Judy), Sousatzka (Jenny, World Premiere), Candide (Cunegonde), and Little House on the Prairie (Nellie Oleson, World Premiere). She co-wrote and starred in The Aging Ingenue, a web-series now streaming on BroadwayWorld.com. She authored and produced an adaptation of Calamity Jane at NYC's 54 Below, and performs her solo concert Dream: The High Notes & Hijinx of a Broadway Soprano in playhouses nationwide. Raised in the recording studios of Los Angeles, Sara started singing professionally at the age of ten, providing background vocals for Michael Jackson’s HIStory album, Addams Family Values, Animaniacs, Lamb Chop’s Play-Along, and Harry Connick Jr. and Mötley Crüe’s Christmas albums. Ford also teaches Voice and Acting, serving on the faculty for Broadway Dreams Foundation and The Institute for American Musical Theatre. She graduated with a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University’s prestigious Drama program. sarajeanford.com

Artist Bio: Jess Godwin

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JESS GODWIN

Jess Godwin, aka J, is an audiovisual artist based in Brooklyn, NY. She’s a prolific singer-songwriter who likes to make things. She writes, records, produces, designs, films, and edits her own music and videos. Albums and EPs include People Pleaser, Dear Finch, Comfortable, Klutz, and Be, available on Apple Music and Spotify. Her repertoire of audiovisual collections, including Muses, Colorpop, Anthology, and The Major Lift, can be found on Youtube as well as her website redletterj.com. Her music has been licensed on several international TV shows, her voice featured in multiple national commercial jingles, and her music videos have been viewed by millions. She also appears alongside her partner in the musical duo Sinfolk. Her original pop single “Fool Me Once” was featured on Lifetime’s Dance Moms (danced by Maddie Zielger of Sia’s “Chandelier.”) Other television credits include Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Composing for the stage, Godwin’s original production Dear Finch premiered at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. She is currently developing a one-woman musical narrative album and production, Prodigal Daughter. As an actress, credits include: Sunday in the Park With George (Dot), Gypsy (Louise), The Wild Party (Queenie), tick, tick…BOOM! (Susan), Pippin (Catherine), Company (April), Shining Lives (Frances), A Wonderful Life (Mary), Snapshots (Susan), and Carousel. Godwin has performed in professional music and theatre venues across the country. Learn more about her innovative work at redletterj.com.

Artist Bio: Chester Gregory

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CHESTER GREGORY

Chester Gregory is an award-winning Broadway veteran and recording artist. The New York Times calls him, "jaw dropping... over-flowingly charismatic." Gregory starred as Motown Records founder Berry Gordy in Motown: The Musical both on Broadway and National Tour. He made his Broadway debut as Seaweed in Hairspray, also performing the role on The Tony Awards. Other Broadway includes Sister Act (Eddie), Tarzan (Terk, Original Cast), and Cry-Baby (Dupree, Original Cast). Other National Tours include Sister Act (Eddie) and Dreamgirls (James “Thunder” Early). Mr Gregory's breakthrough role came with his outstanding portrayal of Jackie Wilson in The Jackie Wilson Story, launched at Chicago's Black Ensemble Theatre and culminated at New York's Apollo Theatre. Other theatre highlights include Shrek (Donkey), Fences (Lyons), and Two Trains Running (Sterling). Other television: The Daily Show, The View, American Dreams. Film: Hairspray. As a recording artist, Gregory, also known as CHΞSS, has collaborated with industry greats including Phil Collins, Marc Shaiman, Ledisi, and Chance The Rapper. Studio recordings include multiple singles, Original Broadway Cast recordings, and his album In Search of High Love. Original concerts include A Motown Celebration, A Motown Christmas, and The Eve of Jackie. He is the recipient of Chicago’s Jeff Award and the NAACP Theatre Award. He was presented with the key to the city of his hometown of Gary, Indiana, and was chosen as an Honorary State Representative of Indiana. Adddiotnally, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from his alma mater Columbia College Chicago. chestergregory.com

Artist Bio: Christopher Kale Jones

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CHRISTOPHER KALE JONES

Theatre Mania raves, “Jones has the audience swooning until the final curtain.” Christopher Kale Jones starred as Frankie Valli of The Four Seasons in Jersey Boys, originating the San Francisco, Los Angeles, and First National Tour casts, as well as performing the role on The Tonight Show. Jones was an original member of the retro-rock vocal-group sensation Under the Streetlamp, seen in millions of homes nationwide on PBS. He recorded and toured extensively with Streetlamp, headlining historic venues across America and abroad. Regional credits include reprising his role as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys (St Louis Theater Circle Award), starring as Seymour in multiple productions of Little Shop of Horrors (including opposite wife Jenna Coker-Jones), the world premiere musical It Came From Outer Space (John Putnam), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph, Kevin Kline nomination), Olympus On My Mind (Barrymore nomination), and The Sound Of Music (Captain von Trapp). Other television appearances include Chicago Med, Extra!, and Access Hollywood. Jones appears in concert nationwide with Artists Lounge Live in Beyond the Sea: Christopher Kale Jones Sings Bobby Darin, Lean On Me: The Brotherhood of Rock 'n Roll, and Jingle Bell Rock. Recordings include Darin: Live at the Mercury, and four albums with Under the Streetlamp. He is a graduate of Northwestern University. christopherkalejones.com / Twitter: @ChrisKaleJones / Insta: @chriskalejones

Artist Bio: Heidi Kettenring

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HEIDI KETTENRING

Award-winning actress Heidi Kettenring starred as Nessarose in the Broadway in Chicago company of Wicked, and as Belle in the National Tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Theatre credits nationwide include The King and I (Anna, Jeff Award, Broadway World Award), Oliver! (Nancy, Jeff nomination), Hello, Dolly! (Dolly Levi), Cats (Grizabella), Annie Get Your Gun (Annie Oakley), Les Miserables (Fantine), My Fair Lady (Eliza), Hairspray (Penny, Jeff nomination), Funny Girl (Fanny Brice, Jeff nomination), Little Women (Jo, Jeff nomination), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Milly), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Mistress Ford), Hero (Jane, World Premiere), She Loves Me (Ilona), and Guys and Dolls (Adelaide, After Dark Award). Film: Man of Steel. Television: Chicago Fire (NBC) and Cupid (ABC). Concerts: We’ve Only Just Begun and Merry Christmas Darling: Heidi Kettenring Sings Karen Carpenter; also Ravinia Festival, Millenium Park, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Pensacola Symphony. Additionally, she voices Disney Princess audiobooks. Kettenring is the recipient of a Jeff Award, eight Jeff Award nominations, two Broadway World Awards, an After Dark Award, the Richard Kneeland Award, and the Sarah Siddons Leading Lady Award. She is a graduate of Northwestern University and married to actor David Girolmo.

Artist Bio: Alexis J Roston

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ALEXIS J ROSTON

Time Out Chicago calls her “phenomenal,” and Showbiz Chicago raves “Roston holds the audience in the palm of her hand.” Actress, director, and playwright Alexis J Roston earned acclaim for her mesmerizing portrayal of Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, including Chicago’s Jeff Award, a Black Theatre Alliance Award, and the Black Excellence Award. Other credits nationwide include starring in Don’t Make Me Over - A Tribute to Dionne Warwick (Jeff Nomination, Black Theatre Alliance Award Nomination), Sister Act (Deloris, Jeff nomination), Ghost the Musical (Oda Mae Brown), Porgy and Bess (Bess), Ragtime (Sarah), Shrek: The Musical (Dragon), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Charlaine), The Wiz (Addaperle), For Colored Girls... (Lady in Orange), The Piano Lesson (Grace), Crowns (Jeanette), Company (Sarah), Godspell (Joanne), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Brenda), Jesus Christ Superstar, The Color Purple, Hair, Hairspray, and work with The Second City. Concerts include First Lady of Song: Alexis J Roston Sings Ella Fitzgerald which tours nationally with Artists Lounge Live. An ensemble member of Congo Square Theatre, Roston served as director and playwright of A Nativity Story: More Than A Miracle. Television: Chicago PD, Chicago Code, and The Chi. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Howard University.