LILLIAN BAXTER IS BACK AT THE LITTLE ROOM!

John Vessels and Jay Schwandt in Fringe Theater’s AN EVENING WITH LILLIAN BAXTER at the Little Room Jazz Club Dec 27-31
Photo Credit: Fringe Theater

Fringe Theater announces the return of Lillian Baxter to the Little Room Jazz Club, Dec 27-31, in the crowd favorite An Evening with Lillian Baxter with John Vessels and Jay Schwandt. Musical theater meets cabaret as these two guys create a spectacular one-woman show!

“Audiences fell in love with Lillian, when we first introduced her in 2016,” says Fringe Managing Artistic Director Rebecca Tomlinson. “I think it was a combination of her knock-out voice and upbeat approach to life’s little foibles. So we’ve been bringing Lillian back ever since.”

Just who is Lillian Baxter?

Lillian is a fictional character created by actor and writer John Vessels. “She was almost huge in the ‘60s,” John explains. “We start there and lovingly follow Lillian’s long trek into obscurity. The stories are fun and the music is just divine.” In fact, Lillian belts out songs from stage, screen, and even your radio (assuming you’re of a certain age).

“We are Lillian’s biggest fans,” explains Jay Schwandt, the show’s pianist and musical arranger. Jay also plays Corky Weinstopper, Lillian’s third (and favorite) husband. In fact, you’ll hear the stories of all seven of Lillian’s ex-husbands (and discover the one thing they all have in common besides loving Lillian).

Jay and John both came to theater by way of music.  Jay’s degrees are in music composition, and John’s degree is in opera. When not performing, John teaches voice and acting in Louisville and Jay teaches at University of Louisville.

Critics rave: “John Vessels has a masterful level of vocal control which he pairs with a pitch perfect portrayal of Lillian as a kind-hearted but never-lucky-at-love super star that never was. And Jay Schwandt shines with his impressive piano skills and arrangements.”

An Evening with Lillian Baxter runs Dec 27-31 at 7pm at the Little Room Jazz Club which is located at 821 Duval Street. Doors will open nightly at 6pm so patrons can enjoy the Little Room’s tasty menu and full bar. The Little Room’s music schedule resumes nightly at 9pm.

Tickets for An Evening with Lillian Baxter are $45 and $60 and can be purchased online at www.keystix.com or by calling the KeysTix box office at 305-295-7676. Seating is limited so advanced ticket purchase is encouraged.

Fringe Theater is Key West’s community-focused theater which offers unique opportunities for people to see and do theater. Fringe is a 501c3 nonprofit with a vibrant and inclusive outreach and education program. For more information about Fringe, contact [email protected].

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