Two big names have been added to a grand celebration of the city’s musical heritage scheduled for the stage of Lyric Opera of Chicago.
The Lyric announced Thursday that Jessie Mueller, the Chicago-bred actress-singer who received a Tony Award for her performance in “Beautiful – The Carol King Musical,” and is currently starring on Broadway in “Waitress,” as well as gospel and R&B sensation Michelle Williams, will be joining the line-up of performers slated for the Chicago Voices Gala Concert. The one-night-only event at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at Lyric’s Civic Opera House will feature many other “superstar” artists from a variety of musical genres, all suggesting the city’s diverse musical roots.
Mueller and Williams join previously announced artists including world-renowned soprano and Lyric creative consultant Renée Fleming (who will also curate the concert), legendary folk singer-songwriter John Prine, “New Queen of Blues” artist Shemekia Copeland, internationally acclaimed tenor Matthew Polenzani, alternative/indie husband-and-wife duo the Handsome Family, and others still to be announced.
The concert will showcase unique and eclectic performances, including cross-genre artist collaborations that blend musical styles such as blues, jazz, rock, hip-hop, gospel and classical. And, by means of narrated documentary-style video segments and musical performances of some of their most well-known songs, there will be tributes to a wide variety of Chicago vocalists of the past, such as Mary Garden, Mahalia Jackson, Muddy Waters, and Louis Armstrong.
Mueller, who grew up in Evanston and began her career with a slew of Chicago theater companies, stars as Jenna in Sara Bareilles’ hit Broadway musical, “Waitress” (for which she received Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominations). Her previous role as Carole King won her Drama Desk and Grammy Awards, as well as the Tony. Her other Broadway credits include: “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” (Drama Desk nomination), and “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,” opposite Harry Connick Jr. (Tony and Drama Desk Nominations).
“I’m thrilled and honored to be joining this incredible group of artists on the Lyric stage,” said Mueller in a prepared statement. “There’s no city like Chicago, and the artists it produces are just as unique. I can’t wait to celebrate with one and all!”
R&B, pop, and gospel recording artist Williams rose to fame in the 2000s alongside Beyonce as members of Destiny’s Child, one of the best-selling female groups of all time. In 2008 she was nominated for “Best Female Lead-Equity” at the NAACP Theatre Awards. Her other musical roles include “The Color Purple” (2007), “Chicago” (2009-10), “What My Husband Doesn’t Know” (2011), and “Fela!” (2013).
“The music that originated in Chicago is legendary, and I’m thrilled to join an incredible roster of singers on the Lyric Opera stage for the Chicago Voices Gala Concert!” said Williams, also in a prepared statement. “I’m looking forward to celebrating the music that makes the city so special, and to performing with artists from all different musical genres!”
For concert tickets ($49 – $249), call (312) 827-5600. Dinner packages which include main floor prime and box seating are available by calling (312) 827-5682. Proceeds from the concert will support Lyric and Lyric Unlimited events and activities.
