Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Stevie Wonder Experience

Born premature and incubated, Stevland Hardaway Judkins had oxygen pumped into his incubator, which worsened the blood vessels in the back of his eyes, causing him to go blind. But he never allowed his condition to damper his spirit and became a child prodigy and a musical genius named Stevie Wonder. A virtual one-person instrumental phenomenon and an American singer-songwriter at thirteen, Wonder's single "Fingertips" topped the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 1, making him the youngest artist ever to top the chart. One of the best-selling music artists, Stevie Wonder has won Grammy and Academy Awards, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, and Songwriters Hall of Fame. Wonder's had other tremendous accolades and honors, which included political causes (Civil Rights Movement) and campaigning to make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a federal holiday.

Mercury Theatre celebrates Stevie Wonder through the multi-talented John-Mark McGaha singing some of Wonder's greatest hits. McGaha, who last year performed "Unforgettable: John-Mark McGaha Sings Nat King Cole at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, brings his outstanding combination of singing and storytelling in Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Stevie Wonder Experience. Written and directed by Angela Ingersoll, the Artistic Director, and her husband, Executive Director Michael Ingersoll, Signed Sealed, Delivered is an entertaining and magnificent production. 

McGaha's exceptional narrative of the life of Stevie Wonder and his own life story is brilliantly combined to make this a must-see performance for all Stevie Wonder fans. In addition, McGaha sings a plethora of Wonder's songs, songs include "For Once in My Life," "Isn't She Lovely," "Higher Ground," "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life," "Superstition," and "I Just Called to Say I Love You," however, I loved his rendition flawlessly hesitating within the song to display his euphoria and emotions when singing, "Overjoyed."

But first, let me inform you that McGaha's performance is a celebration of Stevie Wonder. And although you can hear a little Stevie in his voice, he's not doing an impersonation of Wonder. Instead, what McGaha does well in the two-hour performance is bringing to life Wonder's early trials, and tribulations that he experienced and the remarkable and ultra-talented artist Wonder was and became throughout his career. 

Laryngitis is one of the issues singers have when continuously performing, causing a form of hoarseness, and I was concerned during the first act that McGaha's voice wouldn't make it to the second act. Some of Stevie Wonder's songs have a few missed notes that can get the best of any singing; however, McGaha was outstanding during the second act. Also, his supporting vocalists, Cherise Coaches, and Jessica Brooks Seals both are fantastic singers; however, their two-part harmony was a bit off that night, but the combination of McGaha, the singers, and his phenomenal Artists Lounge Live band, featuring music Director/Paino/synth/vocal of Will Kurk, Will Baggett (Bass), Chuck Lacy(drums) Josh Rzepka(Trumpet) and Jesse Montijo (Sax/Flute) they provide an incredible musical performance.  

Let's Play Theatrical Review Highly Recommends Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Stevie Wonder Experience with Kohn-Mark mcGaha at Mercury Theatre. 

Mercury Theater Chicago

Artists Lounge Live and Mercury Theater Chicago presents

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Stevie Wonder Experience

with John-Mark McGaha

Written and Directed by Angela Ingersoll

February 23 - March 12, 2023