An Evening of Rodgers & Hammerstein on Sep 2nd

The Soo Theatre is proud to announce the return of Mike Dempsey, a highly acclaimed pianist, vocalist and published composer from Southeastern Michigan. Mr. Dempsey thrilled audience members last year with his compilation of “Gershwin”. This year’s production of “Rodgers and Hammerstein” is an evening of music composed by the well-known American songwriting duo of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

Mike was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, attending St. Mary’s and Sault High School. He received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University, and then served in the U.S. Army. He has been choral director at Pontiac Central and Pontiac Northern High Schools, and also served as choir director at several Oakland County area churches.

Additionally, he has been music director for such large-scale musicals as South Pacific, Oklahoma, Carousel, The King and I, Music Man, Kiss Me Kate, Superman, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Mame, My Fair Lady, Gypsy, Sweet Charity, Li’l Abner, and Sound of Music. In 1995 he founded a singing group “Mike Dempsey & Friends”. In addition to writing the script and arranging the music, Mike serves as pianist. This small group has performed composer theme musicals throughout Southeastern Michigan.



Mike's “friends” for the Soo Theatre performance will feature Karen Hughes, resident opera singer, voice teacher and music director at Soo Theatre Project and STARS; Tenor Eric Shaw, who is originally from Sault, Ontario and now sings all over the world and teaches in Toronto; Baritone John Young, who often sings in Mike Dempsey's productions; and singers Maureen Delaney-Lehman and Lola Kennedy, both of whom live in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. All of these performers, except John Young, have been in previous Soo Theatre Broadway and opera productions. Local radio personality Tom Ewing will be the evening’s narrator.

Admission for this lovely evening of quality entertainment is only $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and $5 for children 12 and under. Proceeds will benefit the Soo Theatre. Group discounts are available. Please call (906) 632-1930 for more information or stop by 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to purchase tickets for the show, which will be on Thursday, September 2nd at 7:30pm. Our website is at www.sootheatre.org.

Show Poster