Bonnie Kilroe brought back country singer Patsy Cline during during a previous performance at the Legion. She’s returning for the Osoyoos Concert Series to perform at the Osoyoos Community Theatre. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Bonnie Kilroe, who has sold out performances at the Royal Canadian Legion in the past, will be appearing on the larger stage of the Osoyoos Community Theatre in February.
The singer, who can impersonate a wide-ranging cast of musical divas, is performing “Patsy Cline and The Best of Broadway” Feb. 11 as the third presentation is this season’s Osoyoos Concert Series (OCS).
Pat Philpott, secretary of the OCS committee, said she’s seen Kilroe perform at the Osoyoos Legion and she was very impressed.
“She’s very professional and very skilled,” said Philpott. “Her voice is very good.”
Kilroe makes quick costume changes so the audience isn’t left waiting long as she transforms from one character to another, switching wigs and changing her voice.
In past performances in Osoyoos she has played such divas as Mae West, Carol Channing, Tina Turner, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Shania Twain and others.
Philpott doesn’t know how many characters Kilroe will portray in this performance.
Kilroe’s shows often feature audience participation as she drags “volunteers” from among the spectators to the stage with her.
Philpot said Kilroe was interested in coming to Osoyoos to perform in a larger venue.
Kilroe has performed in Canada and abroad in theatres, convention centres, casinos, cruise ships and less exotic stages.
The Osoyoos Concert Series begins its season each year in late October and holds four events concluding in March.
The first concert last October featured Tiller’s Folly, an acoustic roots ensemble from the B.C. Lower Mainland.
This was followed in November with a concert by Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys, a Prince Edward Island folk, Celtic and bluegrass band.
The fourth and final concert in March features April Verch, a fiddle player and step dancer from the Ottawa Valley.
The Bonnie Kilroe concert starts at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11 at the Osoyoos Community Theatre at Osoyoos Secondary School.
Tickets are $23 in advance and can be purchased at Imperial Office in Osoyoos and Sundance Video in Oliver. If it doesn’t sell out in advance, tickets will be available at the door for $25.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
