Rosemary Clooney tribute at Theatre Guild June 28-29

by Nicky80 Tue 24 Jun 2014, 20:06

Rosemary Clooney tribute at Theatre Guild June 28-29

RACINE — The music of America’s sweetheart and foremost “girl singer” will be highlighted in two upcoming performances at the Racine Theatre Guild, 2519 Northwestern Ave. “The Girl Singer: A Tribute to Rosemary Clooney” with Ellen Winters takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 28, and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 29.

From the beginning of her career as a teenaged lead singer with a touring big band to her Hollywood debut and beyond, Rosemary Clooney was one of America’s sweethearts. While her most notable role was in Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” Clooney’s singing career spanned nearly 60 years.

Enjoy a trip down memory lane as you hear songs like “C’mon A My House,” “Hey There” and “Mambo Italiano.” Award-winning jazz singer Ellen Winters weaves the hits that made Rosie famous in with stories of her troubled marriages, her disappearance from public life, and a triumphant return to jazz in the 1970s. The name of the program is taken from Clooney’s second autobiography, “Girl Singer.”
Winters has sung in top vocal groups and has a flourishing solo career. Her highlights include performances at the Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals in Europe and the Rocky Mountain Jazz Festival in Banff, Canada. In the United States she’s been featured at venues from Milwaukee to New York.

Joining Winters are area favorites Don Lobacz (of Four Guyz In Dinner Jackets), Sam Steffke (piano), Hal Miller (bass), Jim Ryan (drums), Peggy Peterson Ryan (vocals on Saturday) and Chanel Le Meaux (vocals on Sunday).

Tickets cost $15 for adults, $13 for seniors 62 and older and $10 for students 21 and younger. The box office is open from noon to 6 p.m. weekdays. People may also call 262-633-4218 or go to[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] (discounts cannot be applied to online orders).

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by melbert Wed 25 Jun 2014, 02:06

June 29th is the 12th anniversary of her death. Nice honor.

by Mazy Wed 25 Jun 2014, 02:38

Yes it is Mel she sure deserves it. An easy voice to listen to thanks Nicky.

by LizzyNY Mon 07 Jul 2014, 15:02

Found an interesting article about the museum from 2005. Don't know how to post, so here's the address:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Henrys give a sneak peek at Augusta labor of love: Clooney museum

AUGUSTA -- Is there any better way to pay tribute to your mentor than to turn their former home into a museum?

Heather French Henry and her family have made it their goal for 2005 to have the Rosemary Clooney House Museum in Augusta open to the public.

With their preschool-age daughters Harper Renee' and Taylor Augusta mingling through the sea of legs belonging to members of the media Tuesday, former Kentucky Lt. Gov. Stephen Henry and his wife Miss America 2000 Heather Renee Henry led the group on a tour of the big yellow Federal style house on Riverside Drive.

The house the late Rosemary Clooney called home for more than 20 years has remained empty since her death in 2002.

Contractors politely stepped aside from their work to allow photographers and videographers access to a view of the work in progress.

"We had to do a lot with the original foundation to get it leveled up. There was rot, flood damage to the foundation from 1997 and insect damage that had to be dealt with," said Steve Henry. "One fireplace collapsed the day after we bought the house."

The restoration of the house is a labor of love dedicated to the work and memory of the singer, dancer and actress whom Heather Henry feels was a major part of guiding her into the lifestyle of a public figure.

"If she were here, I think Rosemary would be looking at all of this and laughing at me," said Henry, "She would also be flattered at all the attention."

In the room the Henrys plan to turn into the "White Christmas Room" visitors could see posters, photographs and costumes from the movie.

"This is the actual military uniform worn by Bing Crosby in the scene at the end of the movie," said Heather Henry.

"We are also looking for any other artifacts people may have that relate to Rosemary's movies and her life in Augusta," said Steve Henry, "We have Bob Hope's tuxedo, from "Here Come The Girls" at our fingertips."

Heather Henry unfurled a large antique poster with familiar images but written in Spanish.

"Rosemary's work was popular throughout the world. This is an original poster from Argentina for ‘White Christmas,' " she said.

Near one of the costumes worn by actress Mary Wick in the movie, a stunning red dress, trimmed in white, caught the attention of the visitors.

"It's a replica my mother (Diane French) made of Rosemary's dress from "White Christmas" for me to wear for a holiday performance last year," said Henry. "The movie studio thought they had the original and were going to let us have it. At the last minute they discovered they couldn't find it. It may have been revamped and used for a different movie. It was common to do that with costumes. We had a very short time to research the style and get it put together."

"It was quite a challenge for us, especially to get the (faux) fur right," said Diane French.

Memorabilia that will not be on display until the museum is open to the public includes Clooney bedroom furnishings, right down to the pillows and bedspread, said Steve Henry.

"We have saved everything we could and the family has given us many irreplaceable items," said Steve Henry, "All they asked is that we never sell them."

The area that had once been part of Clooney downstairs bathroom, off the kitchen, is being restored to the previous open floor plan adjoining the kitchen. It will house memorabilia from Clooney's nephew, actor George Clooney, her brother Nick Clooney, and Heather's reign as Miss America in an antique penny candy case donated by sister-in-law Nina Clooney, said Heather Henry.

"I used to buy candy from her store at that candy case," said Henry.

The Henrys are crossing their fingers that the project will be very near completion, including Clooney's favorite color red carpet for a June 4 sneak preview and completed for the September grand opening.

"We have nothing but praise for our contractor, Chris Hughes. He gets things done almost before I can get them onto the list," said Heather Henry.

As reporters were leaving, Steve Henry gave a shout.

"We're insured," he called out with a twinge of relief.

One more hurdle crossed in a project that the Henrys say they hope will help Augusta continue to grow as an attractive place for tourists and history buffs.

The Henrys stressed that the Rosemary Clooney House Museum is a nonprofit foundation that is accepting monetary donations and donations of memorabilia. For information call 614-325-0879 or on-line at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].

Contact Wendy Mitchell at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] or call 606-564-9091, ext. 370.

by Joanna Mon 07 Jul 2014, 15:12

LizzyNY wrote:Found an interesting article about the museum from 2005. Don't know how to post, so here's the address:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] 041905.htm

Error 404 page not found !

by LizzyNY Mon 07 Jul 2014, 15:43

Jo - I googled "Stephen Henry and George Clooney" and found the article there on a site called "The Rosemary Clooney House, Inc".

by Nicky80 Mon 07 Jul 2014, 16:15

I corrected the link and added the text Thumbs up!

by Joanna Mon 07 Jul 2014, 16:45

Thanks Lizzy & Nicky Thumbs up!

You sound like Girl Band.....
"Top Hits of Lizzy & Nicky" Yay

by Nicky80 Mon 07 Jul 2014, 16:49

by LizzyNY Mon 07 Jul 2014, 21:39

Yeah, Jo. If only I didn't sing like an asthmatic frog Nicky and I could get rich and famous! lol!

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