Revisit songs of platinum divas with Megon McDonough
On stage with...Megon McDonough
Saturday, July 18 at 8 p.m.
Q&A with Megon McDonough - Continued
ATRU: What are you most excited about sharing with the audience during your Auditorium performance?
MM: It is always such a treat for me to sing for local folks and take Lake Shore Drive to work! I look forward to seeing old friends, and hope some of my new friends can see and hear me.
ATRU: What first drew you to music?
MM: When I was 10 years old The Beatles saved my life. The nuns at St. Thomas grade school were already starting to recruit me in the second grade. I thought, if I didn’t raise my hand when asked “Who wants to be a priest or nun?” I would go to the “hot place.” I didn’t hear the calling though. Two years passed, and I saw The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show – I heard that calling loud and clear!
My mom also loves theater - she stopped auditioning at 80, but still has singing and acting chops at the age of 96! When we were kids, she would take us with her when she couldn’t find a sitter. My dad passed when I was 11, and I really feel music healed so much hurt in me.
ATRU: You describe your musical style as a mix between folk and cabaret. Can you tell us about how you mix the two genres? What are your musical influences?
MM: Well, after I saw The Beatles, I also started listening to Peter Paul and Mary, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, and Mary Martin! Then my sister Kevin came home with a Barbra Streisand album, and my sister Brenna played Leslie Gore day in and day out, my brother Terry was way into Chuck Berry, my mom played Eydie Gorme and show albums - so you can see, there was such an array to choose from. I also LOVED singing the May songs to Mary in the choir at school – but it wasn’t until I got the guitar I begged my parents for when I was 11, that I started writing songs – folk songs – very simple. I even got a gig on BOZO’S CIRCUS when I was in the 7th grade! My writing is very folk – I love singing and writing music with meaning, you know. I love performing music that says something. I’m such a ham!
ATRU: You starred in the theater production, Always Patsy Cline. Can you describe what it’s like to prepare for such a big role?
MM: It was 23 songs a show, 8 shows a week. I slept in and babied my voice! My husband was great about taking care of Denvir, our son, then about 5.
I had the time of my life playing a little bit of Patsy. I read a few books about her, (the best being Honky Tonk Angel) and listened to her day and night. I truly understood her love for singing. She paved the way for every girl who finds herself dreaming of Nashville – or Los Angeles and New York. I really connected with her [Patsy] on a deeper level and portrayed her as a complex woman. She had passion through and through, but sometimes I felt she lacked the confidence to stretch – I am not judging her, I just felt a special connection.
ATRU: What was it like to tour as one of the inaugural members of the Four Bitchin’ Babes?
MM: More fun than Heaven allows. I was able to use all my chops. I love singing and working with other artists. The creative process that morphs out of that – improv! I LOVE improvising because you can truly build a great experience for the audience!
ATRU: Tell us about how you keep your voice in shape.
MM: I adore my otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat), Dr Caldarelli, and Doug SuSu Mago, my coach. My first voice teacher was Dr. Harvey Ringle at Roosevelt! He was the first person who taught me about voice placement. I went to see him in the 70’s when I was working with my band on Lincoln Ave, and lost my voice due to vocal nodes – ugh, it was a dreadful time for me. But it turned out to be a blessing as I had a lot to learn. I have learned to place my voice correctly and breathe properly! It’s all in the breath. Also, I am strong. Oh m’gosh, you have to be really strong to sustain your voice. I encourage my students to practice yoga for the discipline and breathing.
Also, singing for me is holistic - body, mind and Spirit. I feel closest to The Universe when I’m singing and when I’m laughing. Oh, and when you laugh, that’s your authentic voice. So, if you’re having any vocal issues, go see some stand-up or rent a bunch of funny movies. If you still have trouble – say – congestion – it’s time for the exact opposite. Time for a good cry.
ATRU: What have been your oddest practice quarters?
MM: I save all my quarters for parking meters. But seriously – the back room at The Earl of Old Town was teeny tiny! Also, I remember chanting in the woods in Oregon with the Babes – that was pretty cool.
ORDER TICKETS IN THREE EASY WAYS
Phone: 312.922.2110 ext. 300 (for groups and subscriptions)
Online: 
Box office: Auditorium Box Office, 50 E. Congress Parkway (open Monday-Friday noon-6pm)
The VIP section (tables of six located in the first four rows of tables in the center of the stage) seats are limited and sold out for Susan Werner and Tom Wopat. Tables of six on the rest of the stage are still available for $50 per seat.
THREE SHOW SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE STILL AVAILABLE! Order a three show subscription (includes Megon McDonough, Susan Werner and Tom Wopat) and receive a 20% discount and priority seating.
Receive a 10% discount when you book a group of 6 or more.
