BELLOWS FALLS — Singer-songwriter Cheryl Wheeler will appear at the Bellows Falls Opera House Lower Theater on Thursday, May 3, for a show to benefit the Friends of the Opera House.
“People have been asking us to bring Cheryl Wheeler to Bellows Falls for the last decade,” said Charlie Hunter of Flying Under Radar, who is presenting the show in conjunction with Vermont Festivals, Kicking & Screaming, and WOOL 100.1FM.
“I've seen her wow a room full of people who have never heard her before, as well as get multiple standing ovations from an audience that clearly knows every song,” Hunter said.
On her website, Wheeler, who punctuates her concerts with funny stories, is described as “a gifted songwriter with a beautiful voice” and “a natural storyteller with a memorably warped sense of humor.”
Wheeler's songs have been recorded by artists as diverse as Garth Brooks, Suzy Boggus, Bette Midler, Maura O'Connell, and Kathy Mattea.
“She can write as sad and poignant a song as you've ever heard,” Hunter said. “And yet, in the next breath, she'll have audiences howling with laughter with something like her ode to the lowly spud, “Potato,” set to the tune of “The Mexican Hat Dance.”
A song about potatoes might not seem like a particularly funny idea. But Wheeler has the timing and sensibilities of a stand-up comedian.
On the other hand, Wheeler is unafraid to wade into social controversy when it suits her.
Garth Brooks famously excised the final line - and main point - of Wheeler's If It Were Up To Me. (After positing a long list of possible societal factors that contributed to the Columbine shootings, Wheeler ends the song with a simple, “but if it were up to me, I'd take away the guns.”)
Doors open at 7 p.m., and show time is at 7:30. Beverage service is provided by Pleasant Valley Brewing Company. General admission tickets are $25 in advance or $35 for best-in-house “Angel” seating. There are also $18.50 seats available for those preferring to skulk in the shadows.
“As ever, the Flying Under Radar money-back guarantee will be in effect,” Hunter said.
The show is scheduled for the Bellows Falls Opera House Lower Theater and will be moved upstairs to the main auditorium should sales warrant.
Advance tickets are available at Village Square Booksellers and Fat Franks in Bellows Falls, in Chester at Misty Valley Books, in Brattleboro at Turn It Up!, and online at www.brattleborotix.com. For further information, call 802-463-9595 or visit flyingunderradar.com.