Entertainer Jim Witter is a favorite of audiences who frequent Moraine Valley Community College’s Fine & Performing Arts Center’s Dorothy Menker Theater in Palos Hills.
Tommy Hensel, managing director of the venue, even helped inspire “Fire and Rain,” the latest show that Witter performs in the Southland on Oct. 23.
“I’ve done all of my nostalgia-based shows there,” said Witter, who has performed in Canada, Dubai, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“In fact, it was a little bit of Tommy’s idea because he’s a big James Taylor fan. He loves the song ‘Carolina in my Mind.’ It was him prodding me to do that song in one of my shows that led me to come up with the idea of doing ‘Fire and Rain.'”
“Carolina on My Mind,” which appeared on Taylor’s self-titled 1968 debut album, and Carole King’s “Beautiful,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “It’s Too Late” and “You’ve Got a Friend,” which are all from 1971’s “Tapestry,” are part of the set list for “Fire and Rain” featuring Witter with Lisa Brokop.
“It’s a really fun show because it’s not just a musical revue. We have the stage set like my living room from 1970-something,” said Witter of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
“The premise of the show is I’m 17 again. My parents have gone out for the night. I’ve invited everyone over for a house party and we’re going to jam some of those James Taylor and Carole King songs. We’re dressed like the ’70s.
“It’s going to be a little different now because there was a lot more audience interaction with the last version of the show, which was pre-COVID, but it’ll still feel intimate and fun. It will still be interactive. I just won’t be able to get audience members onstage.”
Brokop began her career more than three decades ago in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, and now lives in Tennessee.
She has received Canadian County Music Association awards including independent single of the year for “Something Undeniable” and “I’d Like to See You Try” and 2001, 2002 and 2003 independent female artist of the year.
“We did country music together in the 1990s in Canada. She was on the radio. I was on the radio,” said Witter, whose Canadian County Music Association awards include CMT video of the year for “Stolen Moments” and duo of the year (vocal/instrumental collaboration) with Cassandra Vasik.
“This will be our first time onstage actually doing this show so I’m super excited. Lisa and I have known each other for 30 years.”
Witter started performing at age 4 by singing in his family’s living room and began playing piano at age 12 after seeing Billy Joel in concert.
Named after a hit from Taylor’s 1970 album, “Sweet Baby James,” “Fire and Rain” evokes fond times for Witter.
“When my parents used to go away for a weekend, of course I had a wicked party,” said Witter, who released his self-titled debut album in 1993 via Ontario-based Flood Ross Entertainment and 1999’s “All My Life” and 2003’s “Forgiveness” via Nashville, Tennessee-based Curb Records.
“When my friends would leave, there were a few that always stayed behind to help me clean up. We’d put on Carole King’s ‘Tapestry.’ That one takes me back every time.
“I feel like James Taylor’s music brings me home. I guess it’s because when I was a kid my brother and my mom would spin James Taylor records on our stereo at home. When I hear those songs it’s just that family feel that reminds me of so many wonderful memories of my childhood.”
His longest-running show is “The Piano Men,” which was conceived in 2001 to pay tribute to Joel and Elton John and was the first show Witter performed at Dorothy Menker Theater.
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“It’s probably one of the warmest, most welcoming audiences we’ve ever had,” said Witter about what has brought him back to perform several shows at the venue.
“They keep coming back to different shows we do. I see some of them after the show and I recognize them. They’ve been to every one of my shows. It feels like coming home and we’re going to make it look like we’re coming home.”
‘Fire and Rain’
When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23
Where: Moraine Valley Community College’s Fine & Performing Arts Center’s Dorothy Menker Theater, 9000 W. College Parkway, Building F, Palos Hills
Tickets: $35 general public, $31.50 members, $28 veterans and active military, free students, $13.50 (livestream only)
Information: 708-974-5500; morainevalley.edu/fpac
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.