Chicago born singer, cabaret performer, writer, lyricist, and actress, Charlene Brooks, whose voice has been compared to Barbra Streisand, with classic jazz and Broadway stylings.
Comedy is strongly incorporated into her One Woman shows she has performed in Cabarets, theaters, and Fairs throughout the country. “Brooks on Broadway", “Life Stinks! (and other things my mother taught me)", “Gersheim", a tribute to George Gershwin and Stephen Sondheim, “Brooks Sings Barbra Streisand", “You Call That Love?", are among her sellout shows. In addition, for years, she has been performing with the most successful bands in Chicago at corporate and private parties.
From childhood, the question was not whether to be a singer, that was not really a choice, but, what kind of singer? After all this time, the reality is, why choose? Especially when there is so much music to be sung. Music was always a part of Charlene's life, and the clearest way to express herself. Listening to Broadway show music, and dancing around her living room as a child was only the beginning.
Joining a top 40 band, rock was next on the road to a multi-faceted singing career. Moving on Chicago’s Rush Street when the many amazing night clubs were just starting to disappear, was next. There she learned the joys of working with an audience seated at tables close enough to share the spotlight. From The Pump Room to the Back Room, jazz became her new voice.
Musicals and comedies at Wisdom Bridge Theatre, and traveling every summer for almost ten years with the “Noon Show" with Orion Samuelson on WGN Radio, country music became a new love. The “Manure Tour", as it was lovingly called was broadcast live from State and County Fairs all over the country, was truly an experience for this city girl.
Chicago born singer, cabaret performer, writer, lyricist, and actress, Charlene Brooks, whose voice has been compared to Barbra Streisand, with classic jazz and Broadway stylings. Brooks has performed her popular show, ""LIFE STINKS!", and other things my mother taught me", and "Brooks Sings Barbra" across the country.
Charlene's original shows combines the writer, actress and singer. “Brooks on Broadway", “Life Stinks! (and other things my mother taught me)..", “Gersheim", a tribute to George Gershwin and Stephen Sondheim, “Brooks Sings Barbra", "Big Band Meets Broadway", "Confessions of a Cabaret Cantor!", and "Love Stinks", are among her sellout shows. Not happy unless the audience experiences a full range of emotions, Charlene has succeeded in her goal. These shows have spurred her on to the concept of “Custom Cabaret", where Charlene performs a customized show honoring the guest of honor at a private party.
After joining a rather unique temple in her Chicago suburb of Skokie, Charlene soon realized that singing liturgical music was a way to fill a spot in her life that also needed fulfillment. Being the child of Holocaust survivors, with all the conflicts that created, led her to embrace yet another type of music. Now, this temple is unique because it was founded as a temple for the deaf. Most everyone there actually hears, yet, everything that is sung or said is also sign language interpreted. Now it was time to learn sign language as well. So when she is not wearing an evening gown performing her show at a club or corporate event singing Broadway, and jazz, including her own songs, she dons a choir robe and sings traditional liturgy and many songs of her own. Now that’s a way to create balance!