BLACKLISTED: A CONCERT OF SONGS MADE FAMOUS BY BLACKLISTED ARTISTS Plays Jan. 31 at Illinois Holocaust Museum

Some of Chicago’s best cabaret entertainers will be singing the songs McCarthy didn’t want you to hear as they present Blacklisted—A Concert of Songs Made Famous by Blacklisted Artists on January 31, 2:00 PM, at the Illinois Holocaust Museum. 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, Illinois. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers and can be ordered by(847) 967-4800–Tickets available $15/$10 (members) Order—www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/blacklisted Free parking is available.

Blacklisted will encore on February 28 at 2:00 Pm at the Skokie Theater on February 28, 2:00 PM, at the Skokie Theater . 7924 N. Lincoln Ave. Skokie, IL. (847) 677-7761 Tickets $20—Order at www.skokietheater.com

Our Constitution’s First Amendment gives Americans the right to vote and speak as they choose. Yet, during the “Red Scare” following World War II, Congress itself lost sight of those right of free expression. Nearly three hundred writers, singers, and actors (not to mention thousands of ordinary citizens) were labeled as Communists under the bullying tactics of Senator Joseph McCarthy’s House on Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) —then “Blacklisted” which meant they could not work in the arts or the media. Blacklisted artists included, Leonard Bernstein, Lena Horne, Pete Seeger, Charlie Chaplin, E.Y. “Yip” Harburg (lyricist of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”) Chicago’s Studs Terkel, and many more.

Blacklisted’s cast, which includes some of Chicago’s best cabaret talent, will be singing songs written or covered by noteworthy Blacklistees. The award winning ensemble includes Joan Curto, Carla Gordon, Beckie Menzie (musical director), Paul Motondo, Wayne Richards and Robert Sims. Rabbi Barry Schecter and the folk group Three for the Road & Friends will also appear.

Blacklisted was conceived and will be directed by Chicago-based singer songwriter, Carla Gordon, who, along with frequent writing partner Wayne Richards is composing “Prayer for America” for the show. Gordon was inspired following a challenged to use her entertainment opportunities to prevent bullying. Shortly after, she read Kirk Douglas’ book I Am Spartacus in which the actor wrote about ending McCarthyism by crediting Blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo for Spartacus. “Not all the songs are serious, though”, says Gordon, “Lots of funny people like Zero Mostel were Blacklisted, and they will be honored, too.”  Gordon, along with several members of Blacklisted’s cast performed at the Holocaust Museum in Eleven, the sold-out commemorative concert for 9/11