John-Mark McGaha of Birmingham, Alabama, is among the more than 20 headliners whom Chicago-based Artists Lounge Live works with to present concerts nationwide.
After working with the production company on Signed, Sealed, Delivered: John-Mark McGaha sings Stevie Wonder, Unforgettable: John Mark McGaha sings Nat King Cole and A Nat King Cole Christmas with John-Mark McGaha, he is preparing to debut his fourth Artists Lounge Live show.
“Basically Someday at Christmas is a lot of what I already do with Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” said McGaha, whose credits include doing music design and adaptation for the 2021 world premiere of “1222 Oceanfront: A Black Family Christmas” at New Village Arts in Carlsbad, California.
“This isn’t just a bunch of Stevie’s Christmas songs. This is his beloved hits with the addition of some of his phenomenal Christmas songs as well so I’m excited because I love Stevie’s entire catalog. It is just mind-blowing.
“I’m excited about being able to debut the show, which is just super fun.”
Someday at Christmas: John-Mark McGaha sings Stevie Wonder takes place Dec. 6 at Freedom Hall in Park Forest, Dec. 10 at Elgin Community College Arts Center in Elgin, and Dec. 12 and 13 at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.
Songs include “Ave Maria,” “For Once in My Life,” “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” “My Cherie Amour,” “Someday at Christmas” and “What Christmas Means to Me.”
“Stevie’s songs all soothe my heart in different kinds of ways,” said McGaha, who has been playing piano since age 4 and caught the theater bug after doing the musical “Godspell” when he was in 11th grade.
“The message of ‘Someday at Christmas’ is speaking to me quite profoundly right now with the way the world is and we’re almost in this Christmas season now.
More Top Picks Best Full Size Trampolines For Backyards
“In the song he says, ‘Someday at Christmas there’ll be no wars when we have learned what Christmas is for. When we found what life’s really worth, there’ll be peace on Earth.’ Right now that message needs to be sung more than ever before.”
Someday at Christmas: John-Mark McGaha sings Stevie Wonder features McGaha on vocals, piano and guitar.
Local Chicago performers who are slated to join McGaha onstage for the December gigs include band leader William Kurk on keys, Josh Rzepka on trumpet, Cherise Coaches and Jessica Brooke Seals on vocals, Chuck Lacy and Samuel Jewell on drums, and Will Baggett and Mendell Beckford on bass.
“I have a phenomenal band,” said McGaha, who also has been director of contemporary worship and arts at Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood, Alabama, since 2018.
“The show is full of tons of Stevie’s beloved songs. The music is amazing. The message is always amazing. What’s not to love about Stevie Wonder’s message and his music?”
McGaha — who has been married and has five children — said he always enjoyed Wonder’s music.
“I have never not known Stevie Wonder. I grew up around his music,” said McGaha, who recalled being a child and becoming obsessed with singing “I Just Called to Say I Love You” after seeing Wonder perform the hit on a 1986 episode of the TV series “The Cosby Show.”
“It is like he chose to speak love and he chose to package it in the sound that communicated love and life. Because true love is timeless his music will always remain timeless. The music itself is timeless because it speaks to us in something that lives outside of time.”
McGaha, who is fresh from his first long-term residency at Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s Stackner Cabaret of Unforgettable: John-Mark McGaha sings Nat King Cole, said he is grateful for the opportunity to perform in Artists Lounge Live productions.
“My greatest performances have been the Stevie and the Nat shows because I was able to not just celebrate the lives of these icons and sing their music but I was also able to share my story and talk about my wife and my kids and my faith,” McGaha said.
“It has been extremely fulfilling being able to speak and share hope in a time when it is much-needed.”
Someday at Christmas: John-Mark McGaha sings Stevie Wonder
When: 11 a.m. Dec. 6
Where: Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Blvd., Park Forest
Tickets: $30
Information: 708-747-0580; freedomhall.org
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 10
Where: Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Building H, Elgin
Tickets: $35
Information: 847-622-0300; eccartscenter.org/events/centerstage
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12; 1 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire
Tickets: $55
More Top Picks Best Lighted Reading Glasses
Information: 847-634-0200; marriotttheatre.com
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.