By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Laura Auer
This weekend, two of the top shows in the area will feature singer/musicians named Laura — Laura Auer and Laura Cheadle.
Laura Auer is a singer from West Chester who relocated to the West Coast and established a reputation as one of the best new classical crossover artists.
This weekend, she returns to the area for a pair of shows – August 1 at Shannondell at Valley Forge (10000 Shannondell Drive, Audubon, www.shannondell.com) at 7:30 p.m. and August 2 at 11:30 a.m. at Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts (432 High Street, Burlington, New Jersey, lyceumhallarts.com).
The event is billed as “Aria Nouveau: A Classical Crossover Concert with classical vocalists Laura Auer & John Riesen.”
Aria Nouveau is Auer’s current project which features a vocal duo with a soprano (Auer) and a tenor (Riesen).
“This is a live show that I’ve produced myself – all the music I’ve been arranging,” said Auer, during a phone interview Monday evening from her home in the Larchmont area of Los Angeles.
“There are pop opera songs, classical crossover songs and songs by Andrea Bocelli – big vocal stuff. I’m really enjoying this genre of classical crossover. I currently have 37 dates on my calendar for this year.”
Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, Anna Netrebko and similar artists are at the forefront of the “classical crossover” genre, a musical style in which elements of pop and opera seamlessly blend into a lush landscape of soaring vocals, rich orchestrations, and unbridled emotion.
Aria Nouveau follows the same trail, combining the world-class talents of Auer (Top 10 Billboard-charting album series, syndicated music videos on VH1/Lifestyle Network, multiple symphony appearances) and Riesen (“America’s Got Talent” finalist, Lincoln Center soloist, four-plus million Spotify streams) in a thrilling duo concert event.
The two veteran singers have a repertoire which includes “Nessun Dorma” (“Turandot”), “Amigos Para Siempre,” “Quando me’n vo’” (“La Bohème”) and Broadway blockbusters such as “Music of the Night” (“Phantom of the Opera”) and “Bring Him Home” (“Les Misérables”).
They also sing classic standards – songs made famous by legendary singers such as Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole and Celine Dion.
“John Riesen – we have a very interesting story,” said Auer. “I found him because he has a small promo company for classical composers.
“We started working together for releasing my music. His company – Emitha – is in New York, so we were on the phone a lot.
“I was working on ‘Stranger in Paradise’ for my ‘Summer’ album back in 2022. It was a beautiful arrangement, and I was looking for the right tenor.
“I knew both he and his wife (Gillian Riesen) were opera singers. I asked John to join me, and we did ‘Amigos Para Siempre,’ the Sarah Brightman hit. We sounded good together and our personalities meshed well.”
In 2022, Auer embarked on an ambitious project – albums representing the seasons with each season having its own album.
“Spring” was released in April 2022. “Summer” first saw the light of day in September 2022 with “Autumn” following in November 2022. “Winter” finished the series with its release in December 2023.
“With my ‘Seasons’ project, I just wanted to flood the internet with new music,” said Auer. “The songs were all covers. I’ve yet to release any original songs under the name Auer.
“I just wanted to put this massive amount of work out there – classical, jazz, opera, classical crossover.
“I grouped the songs by seasons. ‘Spring’ is light and pretty. ‘Summer’ has the feel of opera in an amphitheater under the stars – ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream.’
“‘Autumn’ is very ‘Phantom of the Opera’ – leaves falling, sad songs. It has an aria from ‘La Traviata.’ ‘Winter’ was magical – snowy songs with sweeping strings.”
Auer’s first album — “Chasing Down the Dream” — came out more than a decade ago – under the name Laura Promiscuo.
Auer moved to Southern California a few years ago to pursue the next phases of her career as an entertainer.
“I was a touring musician for a long time,” said Auer. “It was hard to be an indie musician.
“So, I started doing voice acting and that led to my move to Los Angeles. And it led to the animation project.”
Back in the early part of the 2000s, Auer was Laura Mills – a student at West Chester Henderson High School. She was an athlete as well as a musician during her high school days and played field hockey and lacrosse for the Warriors.
Auer was a singer long before she was an athlete.
“When I was growing up, there was always singing going around in our home,” said Auer. “My grandfather had an operatic voice and my father sang. My family listened to opera, classical music, classic rock — and a lot of Disney music.
“I decided to play viola at a young age. I even played viola in the high school orchestra. I attended Penn State University as an operatic voice major.
“I was in an a capella group there. That is what inspired me to start writing — and to become a solo artist. I was a voice major, but I didn’t want to just sing opera or classical. I liked all different kinds of music.”
Diversity has played a major role in the talented singer’s musical development.
“When I started songwriting, I was writing soul music, pop songs, R&B and soulful songs,” said Auer, who trained with world renowned artists including international tenor, Maestro Antonio Conte Pugliese, and Arlene Shrut, head vocal coach at The Julliard School.
“In 2013, I decided to go solo and changed my name from Laura Mills to Laura Promiscuo,” said Auer.
“My mother’s maiden name is Promiscuo and I really took pride in my grandfather’s name. I’ve been performing live forever but my first show as Laura Promiscuo was at Pietro’s Prime in West Chester in August 2013.”
After a while, Laura Promiscuo morphed into SOLA, who was billed as, “a singer and songwriter with a seductive and sultry musical style similar to female pop icons Sade and Lana del Rey– additionally drawing from crossover world artists like Sting, Shakira, Annie Lennox and Robert Plant.”
SOLA began recording with music producer and cinematographer Simon Rogers and electronic violinist and Coatesville native Brian Fitzy.
Her first video, “Closer To You,” won several songwriting awards and jumpstarted her solo singing career. During this time, SOLA was also writing music for TV and film when her photographer connected her with Brazilian DJ/producer, Rey Vercosa, who was spinning for festivals in Ibiza.
Vercosa asked her to write songs for his label, RV Records. Their compilation album, “Ibiza Summer 2018,” went straight to #1 on Beatport, the world’s largest dance music streaming platform.
It was also in 2018 that Auer, who holds an Advanced Teaching Certification in Ashtanga Yoga, said “tchau” (good-bye in Portuguese) to Brazilian music and SOLA and “What’s up?” to Los Angeles.
Video link for Laura Auer – https://youtu.be/mr6T2vohlQ0.
The event at Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts on Saturday will start at 11:30 a.m. with a “Meet & Greet Continental Brunch” followed by the concert at 12:30 p.m.
Laura Cheadle
Cheadle will make a return visit to a venue that is close to her heart — Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, www.jameyshouseofmusic.com).
It’s a musical love affair. Cheadle is an act Jamey Reilly books several times a year.
“Jamey’s is my favorite spot,” said Cheadle, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from her home in Philadelphia. “It’s a great place to play.”
Cheadle has a new album to support – “Mannequin.”
“I signed a deal with Sony Music,” said Cheadle. “I released a Christmas album with Sony on their Orchard label two years ago. ‘Mannequin’ is my first full Sony album featuring my music.”
For Cheadle, Christmas came a little early in 2023.
“I won a game show on CBS,” said Cheadle. “The game show was ‘Raid the Cage” and the final aired last December.”
“Raid the Cage” is a television game show hosted by Damon Wayans Jr. and Jeannie Mai that premiered on CBS on October 13, 2023. It is an adaptation of the Israeli television series of the same name.
Two teams of two contestants compete on each episode to earn time to retrieve prizes from a giant cage, with the team having the highest total keeping the prizes and playing the bonus round.
“I won $91,000,” said Cheadle. “And having all the people see me on national TV in the finals will be a real boost to my music career. This has been my best year ever.”
When Cheadle was asked if she blew through the $91K yet, she offered an affirmative reply.
“I took the money I won from the show and bought a house in Philly,” said Cheadle.
A new house and a new album—Cheadle has definitely been very busy.
Ironically, Cheadle’s focus this summer hasn’t been on “Mannequin,” but rather her other band.
“I’ve been touring all summer,” said Cheadle. “I’ve been touring with Laura Cheadle + The Girls, which is a power pop band.
Whenever I play Jamey’s, it’s always with the Laura Cheadle Family Band.”
Jamey’s is a venue in Delaware County that specializes in booking blues and blues-rock acts.
Cheadle has a band that features blues, soul, funk – and a lot of Cheadles.
Her four-piece group features her brother Jim Cheadle on guitar and her father James Cheadle on keyboards along with Dave Ferebee, the only non-Cheadle, on drums.
“I haven’t played that much with the Family Band this year because I’ve been playing so much with Laura Cheadle + The Girls.
“We’ve been all over the country – Washington, Oregon, the Midwest, upstate New York.
“The band is me and my wife, Michelle Cheadle. We’ve been making music together for two years.
“I met her when I was hiking New Hope. I was hiking in front of her. We’ve blossomed together. Now, we’re focused on advocating for women and LGBTQIA+.
“We got married in 2022. Michelle is from Delaware and I’m from New Jersey. Now, we’re living in the house I bought in South Philly.”
Laura Cheadle + The Girls features Laura Cheadle on guitar and vocals, Michelle Cheadle on bass and vocals along with rotating drummers.
“The Girl Band is a very festival-based band – crazy sets and running around in the audience. We’ve played only pride shows this summer.
“We have tons of song written by Michelle and me. She’s a fantastic bass player. Our music is more pop-rock with my soulful voice.”
Laura Cheadle + The Girls have released three singles so far – “Air Gets Tight” in March, “Make Me Go Crazy” in May and “Lola Has a Girlfriend” in June,
“We’re touring with songs written by Michelle and me,” said Cheadle. “The song ‘Lola’ is queer-oriented. We’re really representing women. ‘Lola’ is a gay anthem for the summer.”
This weekend, it will be time for blues and funk rather than Rainbow.
“I’ll be using the Cheadle Family Band,” said Cheadle. “I’ve only gotten to play with them two or three times this year. They’re such a great band.”
James “Papa Cheadle” has played and recorded with Don Cornell, DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Four Aces, Grover Washington Jr., The Soul Survivors, Jaco Pastorius and Peter Erskine.
Cheadle has played with her family ever since she was a young girl.
“My father has influenced me so much,” said Cheadle. “He’s a seasoned jazz musician who used to be a music professor at Rowan University. So, I’ve always been involved with music.
“He has his own recording studio in South Jersey called the Swedesboro Music Studio and he records a lot of different people. He and I are both devoted to music. His influence on me is blues and jazz – but I make it modern.”
Cheadle’s music career began when she was four years old. Her father created the “Appreciation Choir” for the Persian Gulf War troops in the early nineties and created a music video that was aired on VH1 and MTV.
Along with her two older twin brothers and various other children, Cheadle toured around the United States singing for audiences.
When she was 11, she enlisted her father to teach her how to play drums. From her “tween” to “mid-teen” years, Cheadle was in a band with her brothers called Sibling – a pop group that played at local restaurants, churches, music venues, private parties and parades.
“I’ve been in the Philadelphia/New Jersey music scene for quite some time,” said Cheadle. “I’ve been doing acoustic stuff since I was 16 and then put my band together later.
“Sibling was a blend, and I morphed into my music. Songwriting comes very naturally to me. Sometimes, I wake up with a melody in my head. It’s just there.
“I’ve always been a super fan of old soul. My biggest influences are Aretha Franklin, Tower of Power, James Brown and Stevie Wonder. I love real drums and all the organic instruments.
“Some of my songs are rock. Some of them are blues. It’s hard to classify me – maybe pop/rock with soul influence. I just do what I feel.”
The Cheadle Family has built a strong reputation nationally.
“We were on an NBC television show called ‘The Next Great Family Band’ in 2013,” said Cheadle.
“That got us a lot of interest in being booked for tours. They actually came to our place in Swedesboro. The exposure was great.”
Fans will get plenty of Cheadle’s music – old and new, R&B and holiday – this Saturday night at Jamey’s.
“It will be a lot of fun to be re-united with the band,” said Cheadle. “It’s going to be really special.”
Video link for Laura Cheadle — https://youtu.be/3fvuizfwdUE.
The show at Jamey’s on August 2 will start at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
On July 31, Jamey’s will have a film screening.
“Music from the Inside Out”, a film by Daniel Anker, will be shown at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $5.
On August 1, Derrick Dove & The Peacekeeper will headline the show, which starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door.
The Philly Blues Kings with Clarence Spady will perform at the Sunday Blues Brunch & Jam on August 3.
This free event features many of the top regional and national players every week and welcomes amateurs and weekend warriors to join on stage to celebrate the beautiful heritage of the blues.
The open mic jam runs from 1-3 p.m. with the featured band playing a set from noon-1 p.m.
Renovations at the Candlelight Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware, 302- 475-2313, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org) have been completed.
Like a phoenix, the popular dinner theater sprang back to life on July 12.
The new show is the musical hit “Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville.” The show will run now through August 24.
Featuring Jimmy Buffett classics with book by Greg Garcia and Mike O’Malley, “Escape to Margaritaville” tells the story of Tully, a smooth-talking singer/bartender.
Tully’s laidback, no-strings-attached lifestyle is turned upside down when he falls for Rachel, a career-minded environmental scientist visiting the island as a tourist on a bachelorette vacation.
The show’s music consists of songs previously recorded by Buffett, and written by him and various other songwriters, with one exception, the original song “Three Chords.”
“Escape to Margaritaville” has been performed at several area theaters but this is the show’s Candlelight Theater premiere.
The show’s Director/Choreographer is Jessical Bostock and Julia Kershetsky is the Music Director.
“Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville” show will run now through August 24 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m.
People’s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, www.peopleslight.org) has been celebrating its Golden Anniversary season for the last 10 months.
The theater, which has been a cherished Chester County attraction for 50 years, is closing its landmark season with a heavy hitter – the cult musical “Little Shop of Horrors.”
The show was a smash hit both as a Broadway production and a movie.
“Little Shop of Horrors” is a horror comedy rock musical featuring music by Alan Menken and lyrics and a book by Howard Ashman. It tells the story of a hapless florist shop worker who grows a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh.
The musical, which traces its roots to a low-budget 1960 black comedy film, “The Little Shop of Horrors,” premiered off-off-Broadway in 1982 before moving to the Orpheum Theatre off-Broadway, where it had a five-year run. It later became a Broadway production.
An owner of a florist shop on Skid Row, Gravis Mushnick has two employees — Audrey and Seymour. When Seymour fouls up a floral arrangement for a dentistcustomer, Mushnick fires him.
Hoping to change his boss’ mind, Seymour talks about a plant he has grown from seeds that he got over on Central Avenue.
Seymour has also unwittingly cultivated a singing botanical menace. To the delight of Audrey, he names the plant “Audrey II.”
Mushnick is unimpressed and gives Seymour one week to revive the plant. The usual plant food does not nourish it, but when Seymour accidentally pricks his finger, he discovers that the plant craves blood.
Fed on Seymour’s blood, Audrey II begins to grow. Audrey II continues to grow and that means more blood. The plot continues to get darker from that point.
The celebratory “50 Years of People’s Light,” has Zak Berkman as Producing Artistic Director and Shonali Burke as Managing Director. “Little Shop of Horrors” is directed by Molly Rosa Houlahan.
Video link for “Little Shop of Horrors” — https://youtu.be/kKc_31M7Rzo.
“Little Shop of Horrors” is running now through August 3. Tickets are $57 ($52 for youth).
Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) will present “A Journey Through Strings and Stories” featuring Hiroya Tsukamoto on August 1.
Hiroya Tsukamoto is a Japanese-born guitarist who moved to the United States in 2000 to attend the Berklee College of Music.
Tsukamoto brings a blend of masterful fingerstyle guitar and evocative storytelling that transcends cultural barriers.
Recognized for his soulful performances that create an orchestra at his fingertips, he invites audiences into his world of musical exploration and emotional expression.
The all-ages show at Kennett Flash will start at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $23.
On August 2, Kennett Flash’s Rooftop Series will feature “Angry Young Band: Billy Joel Tribute.”
The All-Ages show will start at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $30.
On August 3 back at the venue, it will be time for the latest edition of “Summer Sounds Series.”
“Round Three” will feature Impolite Society, Tempting the Tides and Yet It Moves.
The show will start at 7 p.m. with tickets priced at $5
Elkton Music Hall (107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland, www.elktonmusichall.com) will have its eyes to the past next week with
Asleep at the Wheel scheduled for August 5 followed on August 6 by Jim Lauderdale and David Lowery.
Asleep at the Wheel will also play at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com) on August 6.
Presented and produced by Rising Sun Presents!, the 2025 Concerts Under the Stars series will again take place at the scenic Upper Merion Township Building Park (175 West Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia, www.concertsunderthestarskop.com).
The 2025 Concerts Under the Stars series has Low Cut Connie August 1 and Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets with Brian Seymour on August 2.
The Rose Tree Summer Festival (Rose Tree Park, Route 252, Media, www.delcopa.gov/departments/parks) is a summer-long series of free outdoor shows now through August 10 at the scenic park just north of Media.
The following is the schedule for August — 1 New Orleans Fish Fry, 2 Lonnie Shields & Jesse Loewy, 3 The Core – Music of Eric Clapton, 6 Reggae Thunder, 7 Cool Confusion, 8 Del’s Groove, 9 Barbershop’s Best 10 Six-String Soldiers.
