Grammy-nominated Broadway performer Cheyenne Jackson is a celebrated entertainer widely known for his roles on the television shows Glee and 30 Rock. He first garnered acclaim on Broadway where his soaring voice, charisma, and matinee idol looks won over both audiences and critics. Jackson has performed at The Kennedy Center, sold out Carnegie Hall, and was a principal soloist on West Side Story, which was nominated for Best Musical Theater Album at the 2015 Grammys.
Jackson spoke with Lake Effect about his career and the inspiration for The Music of the Mad Men Era, his upcoming concert at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts.
"A couple of years ago I was looking to create a new show that… encompassed the stuff that I've always loved, and that was this era. Mad Men was such a big TV show--that gives us a big world to play in," says Jackson.
The songs and artists featured in the performance span classics from Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday all the way to Joni Mitchell. The range of songs performed shows the wide time frame of the Mad Men era and are all purposefully chosen and hold meaning for Jackson.
"My shows are very very personal... What is interesting is sharing my life experiences and things that I've learned in the last few years," says Jackson. "So many amazing things have happened, so it’s really informed how I sing and really what I sing."
Actor and singer Cheyenne Jackson will perform "The Music of the Mad Men Era" May 16th at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield.
