Melissa Manchester Performs at Myron’s at The Smith Center
Article by Sheryl Aronson
Photography by Sheryl Aronson and Sherman Alford (Sassaphotos.com)
On Saturday, June 25th, 2022, Grammy-winning artist Melissa Manchester dazzled the sold-out crowd at Myron’s at The Smith Center with her spectacular repertoire of hit songs. Dressed in a glamorous, shimmering purple pants outfit designed by David Josef, Manchester commanded the stage with a powerful delivery of melodies and regaled the audience with captivating stories from her outstanding career.
As the lights dimmed, the gritty song “You Gotta Love the Life” blasted throughout the theater. The audience was treated to a music slideshow highlighting Melissa Manchester’s 50-plus years in the business. When the video ended, Melissa entered to thundering applause. Susan Holder, percussion and backup vocals, and Stephan Oberhoff, keys, guitar, and backup vocals, joined her onstage.
For the next 75 minutes, Manchester presented her magical alchemy of entertainment. From belting beloved pop songs “Midnight Blue” and “Don’t Cry Out Loud” to reveling us with her scatting skills to the jazz standard, “Love Is Just Around the Corner,” to rockin’ the house with the Grammy-winning song “You Should Hear How She Talks About You” and seizing our hearts with romantic ballads, “I’ll Never Say Goodbye” and “How Do You Keep the Music Playing.”
In the house that evening were Ann Parenti, publisher of CHIC Compass magazine, David Tupaz “American Couture,” Anna Stewart Vian Billings of Anne Fontaine, and Sasaphotos (Sheryl Aronson & Sherman Alford). The magazine’s featured article about Melissa was written by Sheryl Aronson, an entertainment journalist from Los Angeles. CHIC Compass Magazine presented a special surprise for Melissa’s fans. After the show, a table displaying the newest edition of the magazine featuring Melissa on the cover would be available for purchase and signing by the artist. All funds from the CHIC Compass autographed magazines signed by Melissa that evening went to the foundation.
Never a dull moment with this lovely grand dame of music, Melissa drew everyone in with her authenticity, love, and compelling stage presence. She ended the magnificent evening by announcing that she would go to the lobby to meet and greet her fans, and hundreds of people lingered to take photos and have CD covers and Chic Compass Magazines signed.
It was evident that this artist was “Loving the Life!”
The PERFECT wrap up of an amazing night. You captured in photos and words the magic of this seasoned legend.