Karen & Me

Karen Carpenter - in her joyful and poignant renditions of songs written for her, and in her collaborations with other others - never failed to garner life-long fans and admirers. Think We’ve only just begun, Rainy Days and Mondays, Close to You, Sing and her reinterpretation of The Beatles’ Ticket to Ride.There is a Karen Carpenter-voiced song for every occasion - first love, break-ups, make-ups, introspection and sheer joie de vivre.In Karen & Me, chanteuse Shannon Kenny is accompanied by virtuoso musician Alan Judd on a unique journey to celebrate an international musical great of the 20th century, through snapshots of Karen's life and illustrious career - and its indelible imprint on generations of people around the world, from the USA, to the UK, and on Shannon's life in good old RSA.Karen Carpenter, like Ella Fitzgerald, was a constant presence in Shannon’s formative years precisely because her mum was - and still is - a massive fan. Yet, it was only once Shannon had exited her brooding teenage phase (read: Dead Can Dance and Russian novelists) and began training as a singer that she truly came to appreciate the level of Karen Carpenter’s artistry and her exceptional talent.Virtuoso musician Alan Judd has worked on studio projects with the likes of Hugh Masekela and Ladysmith Black Mambazo - and has played live and toured internationally with a variety of musicians. He and Shannon first worked together in musical theatre in the early 2000’s and they have since gone on to collaborate on studio projects, as well as performing in concerts and festivals at home and internationally.Darren King brings his extensive experience in West End musical theatre and directorial nous to Karen & Me. This will be Shannon’s first production under Darren’s direction.Alan, Darren and Shannon all have careers that have spanned decades, artistic disciplines, countries and continents - and this collaboration is an adventure in which they pool their talents to capture the unique joy and magic of Karen Carpenter.