Maye to perform in Fort Scott

BY BRETT DALTON

HeraldTribune

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- A nationally known performer, who one critic called "the entertainer of the millennium," will perform for the second time in Fort Scott next weekend.

Marilyn Maye, a 78-year-old accomplished jazz cabaret singer and recording artist, will perform at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 19; and at 3 p.m., May 20, at the Liberty Theatre, 113 S. Main St. The show is a reserved seating event, with ticket prices ranging from $10-$35. Tickets can be purchased online at www. fslibertytheatre. com, by calling (620) 223-4060 or (888) 4843542, or by visiting the box office. Any tickets not sold by the time of the shows can be purchased at the door.

Maye, who first performed in Fort Scott on Dec. 16, 2006, will pay tribute to the U.S. armed forces during next weekend's concert. Her show will include performances of several patriotic songs, including those written by legendary songwriter Irving Berlin, the writer of "God Bless America." Maye will also sing some of her all-time favorites and the RCA-recorded hits that helped make her a star, according to a press release about the show. "What we're going to be doing is honoring the veterans and honoring America," Maye said. "I think it's very appropriate right now to do that."

Maye said she is looking forward to performing in Fort Scott again, especially at Liberty Theatre, which she described as "very pro-audience."

"I love the Liberty Theatre," Maye said. "The sound is great, the lighting is great and the sight line for the audience is such that no matter where you sit, the crowd can still get a good view of the show. There's not a bad seat in the house."

Maye said she also likes visiting and performing in Fort Scott because of the "laid back, friendly" nature of the community. She said she loves the "pure Midwestern feel" of the area. She added that she also loves the many antique shops in Fort Scott. "The thing with me is I love

stuff," she said. "So I love going into all the little antique shops."

Maye and her band recently completed 14 performances in New York City at the prestigious Metropolitan Room. The reviews for those shows prove that, even at 78, Maye is still one of the premier acts in America.

"There is simply nobody around with more talent, personality and class," Rex Reed, reviewer with the New York Observer, wrote. "She's the real deal. The woman can sing everything."

Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote: "Her return was triumphant and the atmosphere of the packed openingnight Metropolitan Room could be described as one of discreet pandemonium."

Maye said many of her good reviews aren't simply earned by her vocal talent, but by the way she performs and entertains the audience.

"I think the reason we appeal to people is because we do so much," Maye said. "We do all kinds of songs, it's just not all in one bag. The main thing, though, is that we entertain. It's a party with us. People come to have a good time."

Maye added that she is personable with the audience, which includes sharing stories about her career and life experiences.

Born in Wichita, Maye now resides in Galveston, Texas. She also owns a home in Kansas City, she said. Maye holds the singers' record for most performances on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." Maye performed on her good friend's show 76 times.