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The Men and Their Music
Performed by Ron Hawking and his Orchestra
At the Mercury Theatre
3745 N. Southport
Chicago, IL
Call 773-325-1700, tickets $49.50 - $55.50
Thursdays & Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 5 & 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Running time is 2 hours with intermission
Through October 28, 2007
Polished, tuneful night club act thoroughly entertaining
Ron Hawking is an experienced showman in the best of that tradition. He is charismatic, engaging and polished. He created, produced and stared in the long running hit show “His Way – A Tribute to the Man and His Music” a tribute to Sinatra and his Rat Pack. He also has performed his own one person show “Lively Art of Impressionism” for corporate events and fund raisers. This guy commands the stage.
Ron Hawking’s new show is a celebration of some of the greatest male vocalists from the 50’s through the 70’s. Known as “the Chameleon” because of his ability to step in and out of each personality he portrays on stage, Hawking is more than simply an impersonator, he captures the style, sound and spirit of each character. Hawking’s enormous range carries him form Bobby Darin, Ray Charles, Lou Rawls, Jimmy Durante, Johnny Mathis, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, Barry Manilow, Frankie Valli and more in a seamless show filled with old classics that you’ll easily recognize. These blue collar pop hits resonate nicely for audiences especially for those over fifty years old.
His seven member orchestra delivers bouncy arrangements filled with horns, reeds and a fine rhythm section. They deftly move from swing big band sounds to R & B to pop rock as they compliment Hawking strong vocals. Hawking sure knows how to give audiences what they want. The opening night crowd enthusiastically got into the moment and had a hand-clapping ball. Hawking is a joy to watch and he gives lessons on how to work an audience. This guy is a polished pro.
In act two, Hawking gave us a taste of his Sinatra show, the rat-pack actually. His Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. were a riot but his Sinatra was effective, even stunning. If you enjoy a tuneful, well produced musical shows, then get to the Mercury Theatre to see Ron Hawking’s new show. You’ll love it. Hawking is a Chicago favorite. No one works harder than this guy to please you. His photo should be placed next to the word “Entertainer” in the dictionary. This is a terrific date show and one for groups from the office or the church or synagogue.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2007
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