Monday Night Live Lives On

Petterino's restaurant has hosted Monday Night Live for 10 years now and the talent is coming out to celelbrate this month. The cabaret night is presented by the talented twosome Denise McGowan Tracy and Beckie Menzie every Monday evening at 150 N. Dearborn in the theater disctrict in Downtown Chicago.

With such a prefect location anyone can drop in from the surrounding venues and the audience is sometimes surprised by the big names that do. Who else can boast that Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller performing before Waitress was wowing them on Broadway?

Speaking of the wait staff. The attentive team from Lettuce Entertain You brings a menu that can't be matched by much in the Windy City. For an incredibly low price diners can have a meal while enjoying classic music.

The French fried calamari is some of the best in the city. Pair that with some chicken pot pie and chocolate mousse cake and you have yourself a feast. There are bottled wine specials offered to wash it down. The $19.95 pre-fix menu has a variety of other offerings to please any finicky eater.

Over 700 singers have graced the small stage here and audience members are encouraged to sign up. After having worked with Denise in the past it is always amazing to see her real talent lies in making people feel special. She continues to paint rainbows where there is rain and is a positive force in the theatrical cabaret world. Menzie is a marvel to watch. Sometimes given sheet music mere minutes before playing, she knows how to improv and adapt to a singer's strengths.

Even after the anniversary dies down this is a place to be for a date, a gathering of musical fans, or somewhere to dine inexpensively while watching a show.

Rush out while the group is still celebrating for a champagne toast and complimentary piece of birthday cake this October then come back to see more casts from surrounding productions.

Visit www.Petterinos.com for details on what a special night Mondays can be.