Broadway Actress, Karen Curlee, takes the stage at the Ramsdell….

Taking the stage on Friday, September 8th at 7pm is Broadway actress Karen Curlee performing her one woman show: “What is This Thing Called Love?” For more than 25 years, Karen Curlee appeared in chorus and feature roles on Broadway in six long-running shows (Cats, A Chorus Line, Me and My Girl, Blackstone, The Tap Dance Kid and Showboat). She has played lead roles in musicals off Broadway and regionally; roles include Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Marta in Company, Velma Kelly in Chicago, and Kate in The Taffetas.

The show will also feature her husband Mark Stewart, Paul Simon’s music director, and local pianist Carrie Selbee. Curlee says, “When I started working on new music more appropriate for “a woman of a certain age”, I found out that all the Broadway songs about love and relationships were far more interesting and nuanced – as love truly is when one has time to live a life. When Sarah Helge suggested I do a show at the Ramsdell, I was thrilled to gather up all my favorites to create this evening of music. Mark and I have been singing together for years, so it was a natural fit to add those songs to a night about love.”

Mark Stewart is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer, and instrument designer who has been heard around the world. Since 1998 he has recorded, toured and been Musical Director with Paul Simon. He is currently a curator at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and a visiting lecturer at MIT in Cambridge. Carrie Selbee has been involved in all things piano since she was six years old. She currently is one half of the jazz duo, Carrie and Roger, with the highly acclaimed drummer, Roger Tarczon. She does extensive accompanying for the Manistee area schools and is an accompanist for the Manistee Community Chorus.

Sarah Helge, president of the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts board of directors shares her excitement for the show. “It’s not often that a bonafide Broadway singer, dancer, actress is able to perform in Manistee. Karen’s engaging personality and extraordinary talent will make for a fabulous evening of entertainment.”

Tickets are $13 for students and $27 for adults. Join Curlee on a dynamic musical adventure to explore what we call love. Concessions will be sold at 6:30pm. The show starts at 7:00pm in the theatre.