On Broadway, she soared over our heads and into our hearts as “Mary Poppins.” She also re-created history in the stunning revival of the Americana musical, “Ragtime.” Last season, she returned to her hometown of Lancaster to create a legion of local fans as Maria in “The Sound of Music.” On Saturday, Feb. 18, Catherine Walker will star in another homecoming event, a one-woman cabaret to benefit Sharadin Bigler Theatre (formerly the Ephrata Performing Arts Center), where she portrayed Rapunzel in “Into the Woods” in 1995. Tickets for this eagerly anticipated Valentine’s Day weekend event are $30, including a dessert reception with the Broadway singer/actress following the 8 p.m. performance. In a review of a similar concert last October in Reading, the Reading Eagle reviewer raved, “It's not often that one hears a voice that is not merely flawless and lovely, but unique and backed by extraordinary intelligence, soul and humor.” Although Catherine was originally cast as understudy to the original “Mary Poppins,” her triumphant performances in the starring role led to her emerging as the national personification of that beloved icon. In addition to performing as Mary Poppins in the nationally televised Thanksgiving and Christmas Day Parades, Catherine is now touring the nation for Walt Disney Productions as Mary Poppins in concert venues as well as performing on “The Today Show” and “The View.”
After appearing in major concert halls -- the Kennedy Center’s celebration of “A NewAmerica: The 1940's and The Arts”; with George Hearn and the Pittsburgh Symphony in “A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim”; andwith Stephen Schwartz in “The Music of Stephen Schwartz” -- Catherine is now launching her own cabaret career. “I really enjoy performing in more intimate settings and I love the Ephrata theater,” Catherine said of the 294-seat thrust stage where she will be performing Feb. 18 with her New York accompanist, composer/cabaret artist/vocal coach, Steven Lutvak at the baby grand under the sponsorship of Lancaster philanthropist, Ann B. Barshinger.
Although her resume has swollen since leaving Lancaster, Catherine Walker remains closely attuned to Lancster where her parents still reside. It is here that she began studying voice with opera artist Jean Bradel, going on to earn her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University.
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