Mcgovern Nurtures Talented Voice
Maybe you remember some of the highlights of Maureen McGovern’s career: A huge hit in 1973 with “The Morning After” (from “The Poseidon Adventure”) followed by a modest hit with “Different Worlds” in 1979. That’s the extent of her hit songs. However, there are a few things about her that might surprise a few people:
She starred as Mabel in Broadway’s “The Pirates of Penzance” for 14 straight months.
She played Sister Angeline, the singing nun, in the comedy classic “Airplane!”
She starred opposite Sting on Broadway in “The Three Penny Opera.”
She was a frequent guest on Garrison Keillor’s “American Radio Company” show on National Public Radio.
She has sung duets with Placido Domingo and Mel Torme.
She has been a guest artist with many major symphonies, showing off her four-octave range.
That glorious voice will be shown off tonight at The Festival at Sandpoint. McGovern will be accompanied by a 12-piece band made up of Spokane jazz musicians, led by her own pianist and music director Lee Musiker.
The program hasn’t been set yet, but you can bet that you’ll hear a lot of jazz, a lot of big-band and a lot of standards.
You can also count on a healthy helping of Gershwin. One of her most recent albums is “Naughty Baby,” which is a live in-studio concert of Gershwin classics. In addition, she appeared on the PBS/ BBC special, “Celebrating Gershwin,” and she also starred in the concertized revivals of Gershwin’s “Of Thee I Sing” and “Let ‘Em Eat Cake.”
Who knows what else you might hear? Her musical range is enormous: She is currently working on projects ranging from Brazilian jazz standards, to great songs of the ‘40s, to children’s songs, to forgotten ‘60s pop hits.
McGovern, 45, hasn’t exactly had an easy trip to Carnegie Hall, where she made her solo debut in 1989.
She was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. She became a typist after high school, but her heroines were Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand. She toured briefly as a pop and folk singer with a small band and then was plucked out of obscurity to record “The Morning After.”
However, a couple of years later, her career appeared to be over. She went back to the typewriter and got a job as an office temp. However, through sheer determination and the willingness to grab any offer that came along, her career came back from the dead.
Another hit song and a few breaks later, she had a new career as a Broadway star. Frank Rich of the New York Times called her “a winning comedian … a real find for musical theater.” To hear a 25-second excerpt of Maureen McGovern, call Cityline at 458-8800 in Spokane or 765-8811 in Coeur d’Alene and punch in extension 6048. The call is free, but normal long-distance charges may apply.
Preview Maureen McGovern, tonight, 8 p.m., Festival at Sandpoint, Memorial Field. Opening act is guitarist Leon Atkinson Tickets: $20 for adults, $10.25 for children 13 and under, available from G&B Select-a-Seat or the festival box office (208) 265-4554.