SUN CITY – While the Blues Brothers’ most popular hits can be heard blasting from the radio less and less these days, it does not mean they go unperformed.
To Sun City residents Carolynn Kleen and Marsha Kapchinski, classic artists such as the Righteous Brothers, Elvis Presley, and even various show tunes, such as “Mama Mia,” are part of a large catalog they find themselves performing several nights a month.
Both Kleen and Kapchinski are Sun City residents, but their afternoons and weekends include a bit more glitz and lights than the average senior. Together Kleen and Kapchinski are MC Glamour. MC Glamour can be described as a variety show composed of various song performances, numerous dance numbers, and many elaborate costume changes. Except this nearly two-hour show is run by only two women.
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From choosing and practicing songs in each other’s homes to traveling all over northern Illinois, Kleen and Kapchinski with help from their husbands, Jim Kleen and Marty Kapchinski, entertain audiences with an upbeat show.
While Marty Kapchinkski is in charge of everything technical, Jim Kleen handles stage props and assists the performers during quick costume changes.
“If we didn’t have them, we wouldn’t be able to do the show,” Carolyn Kleen said.
“We haven’t done one show where the audience isn’t thrilled,” Kapchinski said. “The fact that we are over 60 [and perform for] two hours is a lot of time. We go home and we die, but it’s all worth it.”
MC Glamour has such a strong appeal that by the end of 2012 they were contacted and signed by an agent, Nick Hill of Midwestern Entertainment Agency, who describes the show as something difficult to explain, but very fun and diversified. Both performers even plan to host their show in Florida during the winter.
While they have been performing together as MC Glamour since 2012, Kleen and Kapchinski have been friends for six years. They both have been singing since 2008 as part of Sun City’s Idols Encore group.
“For now, we are putting all our eggs in MC Glamour,” Kleen said. “We’ve had a lot of success with that so far.”
In 2011, they began to harmonize with each other and the idea to become their own singing duo was born.
“It didn’t take long once we pulled out songs that had value,” Kapchinski said. “From start to finish we took six months tops, then we started performing.”
While they view music as a huge part of the show, MC Glamour considers costumes to be just as important. While Kapachinski is mainly in charge of choreography, they even practice getting in and out of costumes.
“Carolynn has to change from a Tina Turner attire into a sequin dress in less than a minute,” Kapachinski said. “It’s all timed down to the seconds.”
Kapchinski, who used to run her own home improvement show on an ABC affiliated news program in central Wisconsin, fills the role of public speaker for MC Glamour. Kleen, who used to sing gospel songs in a southern Illinois radio show, is in charge of harmony and vocals.
While MC Glamour performs several times a month in different locations, the duo will perform in Sun City for the first time on July 25 in Prairie Lodge at 7 p.m.
“Expect to see a jam-packed variety show with levity and music for everyone,” Kapchinski said. “It’s nostalgic, high-styled entertainment.”
MC Glamour
When: July 25, 7 p.m.
Where: Prairie Lodge
Tickets: $8 pre-registration, $13 day of event
More info: sccah.org
