The Songs Of Karen Carpenter Coming To Cotuit

Richard and Karen, pose with their Grammy in 1971. (AP Photo)

Richard and Karen, pose with their Grammy in 1971. (AP Photo)

 

“Now – The Songs of Karen Carpenter,” a new original musical revue that explores the musical life of Karen and Richard Carpenter through their music, interspersed with audio and video recordings and projected images, will premiere at the Cotuit Center for the Arts in June.

During their 14-year career, the Carpenters recorded 11 albums, 31 singles, five television specials, and a short-lived television series. They had three No. 1 singles and album and single sales total more than 100 million units.

Their career ended in 1983 when Karen died from heart failure brought on by complications of anorexia.

The title of the show “Now” comes from Karen’s last recording session in the spring of 1982, which was released posthumously on her album “Voice of the Heart” in the fall of 1983.

The musical revue will showcase Richard’s gorgeous compositions written with longtime collaborator John Bettis along with the hits that catapulted them to fame and made them a household name.

Richard’s rich vocal and instrumental arrangements highlighted this duo’s collaboration revealing the talent that contributed to Karen’s success. “Now” will showcase many of The Carpenters recorded demos, some that were created in bassist Joe Osborn’s garage, in the mid-’60s while others sat on shelves from recorded TV specials or were discarded from completed albums.

It also features Karen’s lovely solo album recorded in 1979-80 with producer Phil Ramone that A&M shelved, much to her devastation. The record remained unreleased till 1996.

The cast of "Now" at Cotuit Center for the Arts.

The cast of “Now” at Cotuit Center for the Arts.

In the 18 years after Karen’s death, Richard remixed and released these finished demos on multiple albums.

“Now” performers include singer/songwriter Jordan Renzi, theater pop singer Kristin Fehlau, theater veteran singer Anthony Teixeira and creator Ruth Condon. All vocal and music arrangements will be written by musical director Malcolm Granger who will also lead and be part of the four-piece band.

The show, produced by Ruth Condon of Brave Horse Music and directed by Anthony Teixeira, runs June 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 4 p.m. On Sundays. Seating is cabaret style, and premium tables with wine are available.

For more information, visit ArtsOnTheCape.org or call 508-428- 0669.

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