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Breaking Character

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Sunday, May 11, 2025

12:00 AM

The Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, WI

Jennifer Eckes and Wesley Frye

Jennifer Eckes and Wesley Frye will break the fourth wall to explore their respective histories as musical theatre artists, recalling their love of Broadway songs and characters that have inspired them, or eluded them, but changed them for better or worse! They’ll recount stories and sing their favorites from high school musicals to professional productions, plus some songs and roles that are still on their “bucket list“. Expect a wide spectrum of classic showtunes, from leading roles to quirky couples and comic sidekicks!

Jennifer Eckes

Jennifer Eckes and Wesley Frye

Jennifer Eckes has sung professionally for over two decades, in stage productions large and small, and as a soloist in concerts and cabaret shows. Based in St. Paul, she has performed in local theatrical productions with the Ordway Center, Artistry Theater, Plymouth Playhouse, Skylark Opera Theatre, the Minnesota Opera, and many others. An eclectic vocalist, she has found many musical revue and solo opportunities throughout the region, at venues including Bloomington Center for the Arts, Hastings Arts Center, Hanifl Performing Arts Center, Bryant-Lake Bowl, Honey Lounge, and the Nicollet Island Inn. Jennifer has a B.A. in Vocal Performance from Luther College, but found her passion for the Great American Songbook and cabaret as a fellow at the Cabaret Conference at Yale University in 2003 & 2007, and is a founding member of the Twin Cities Cabaret Artists Network. Her voice has been called "crystalline" and "rock solid" by reviewers, often praised for her warm stage presence and “plain-spoken charm”. Jennifer particularly loves telling the story of a well-written song, using humor and honesty to reach the audience on a personal level.

Wesley Frye

Wesley Frye

Wesley Frye has been praised for his “big… sensitive,” and “handsome” tenor voice, receiving several laudatory reviews in Minneapolis for performances as Male Chorus in Benjamin Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia and Haydn’s Paukenmesse. Wesley was the 2018 recipient of the Opera Omaha Award at the Metropolitan Opera District Auditions in Lincoln, Nebraska, and has been a 2-time finalist for a Career Bridges Grant. In 2024, Wesley will be making his New York debut, reprising the role of Young Thompson in Tom Cipullo’s Glory Denied with Chelsea Opera. He holds a BA in Voice Performance from Luther College and a MM in Voice Performance from the University of Minnesota.

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