LAURIE ROLDAN WANTS TO GET “CLOSE TO YOU”
Laurie Roldan has been singing and performing songs for decades. A California native, she grew up in California’s Bay Area in Moraga. She first started performing in her Danville High School musicals where she realized that she loved to sing and dance. In her young adult years she has gone on to perform in hit musical productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Spitfire Grill, Guys and Dolls and Jesus Christ Superstar. She also used her vocal talents to sing on a KTVU Gershwin Special, Laurie Sings Gershwin.
Laurie then took time out of her career to raise her three daughters; as her daughters grew older she returned to her singing roots and has been singing in her original Cabaret Shows both on stage and at many Retirement Communities — every November she sings as a volunteer for The Hospice of the East Bay Tree of Lights Events.
When she resumed her career, she realized the songs of pop singer Karen Carpenter really inspired not only her life but her singing career as well (Carpenter died 41 years ago in 1983). She has since written her own show: A Cabaret Concert Inspired by the Music of Karen Carpenter: Laurie Roldan Sings a Song for You. Laurie has performed this show at a number of venues and now is returning to the Bay Area for two special shows as a benefit for 42nd Street Moon on August 17 and 25, 2024. As an aging baby boomer and long time Carpenters fan, I was eager to get to speak with Laurie for Stage and Cinema and talk about her upcoming shows .
Stage & Cinema: In this day and age, why would you go all the way back to Karen Carpenter songs?
Laurie Roldan: I’ve of course always loved the music of the Carpenters. Karen Carpenter arguably was one of the best singers in the world. Even though she was considered a “Pop Singer” her voice and her songs were inspirational and heartfelt. They influenced me growing up and still resonate today. As a singer at this stage in my life, my goal is to inspire others. In today’s world especially we all need to help lift each other.
S&C: Why do you think Karen Carpenter’s songs still hold up today even amongst younger audiences?
LR: The songs have held up and are considered to be classics. “Close To You” and “We’ve Only Just Begun” have been and still are performed at weddings. They invoke special feelings of love and closeness not just with couples. When I perform at homes for seniors, even though many of them have slowed down with their mobility, it’s such a joy to see their reactions when I sing these songs. Faces light up and they sing and sway sometimes even in their wheelchairs. Not just seniors but people of all ages have special memories of their favorite Karen Carpenter song. “On Top Of the World” in particular is such a happy song that has held up and puts a smile on people’s faces.
S&C: A while back, several of my friends got together for a movie night and watched Tim Burton’s remake/update of the late 60s gothic soap opera Dark Shadows starring Johnny Depp. There’s a musical montage in the middle of the movie that included “On Top of the World.” We all sort of coincidentally started to sing along, everyone of course knowing all the lyrics! What can we look forward to in your show?
LR: That’s a perfect example of music and song to inspire others which is definitely my goal. My show is going to be a full evening of entertainment and song and it’s not just about me. I’m featuring other very talented singers and performers. I always believe in showcasing the talents of my friends, musicians and background singers. I have a whole group of children of all age ranges: The C-kids Ensemble that will be with me on stage when we perform “Sing.”
It’s really exciting for them and me as well to give them this opportunity to perform in front of a live audience. I’m accompanied by my musical director Brett Strader who is also playing the piano. Michael Henning will be on the drums, Aaron Germain on bass, and there will also be surprise guests. I’m so grateful for the effervescent Cyndi Goldfield [Interim Artistic Director at 42nd Street Moon] and Lawrence Helman [publicist] for all their support. For those of you who can’t get enough of Karen Carpenter’s music, I’ll be back later in the year to sing from the famous Carpenters Christmas Album.
S&C: It sounds like a great evening. I’m looking forward to it.
Laurie Roldan Sings a Song for You
A Benefit Cabaret Concert Inspired by the Music of Karen Carpenter for 42nd Street Moon
Sat. Aug. 17, 2024 at 7; Sun. Aug. 25, 2024 at 3
Gateway Theatre, 215 Jackson St in San Francisco
for tickets ($39-$49), call 415.255.8207 or visit 42nd St Moon
for more info, visit Laurie Roldan’s website