Rockin’ with Rod at the MCT

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

It was a fun-filled evening at the Mesquite Community Theatre on Saturday, April 6 as enthusiastic fans of Rod Stewart had a rockin’ good time. The concert, featuring tribute artist Martin Andrew, was a huge success.

Andrew provided two hours of pure entertainment in a one man show. He did a good job of entertaining as Rod. His voice, moves and energy were all real. At one point he stopped to talk with the audience telling how he became a tribute artist.
“Though born in England, I am Scottish, I have the accent,” he said.

And then, shaking his head, he said, “This is my real hair, and I have a large nose. So here I am.”
When Andrew left the stage and walked up and down both isles of the theatre shaking hands while singing, the audience ate it up. He even stopped occassionally to have different people sing part of the song. He drew audience participation with sing-alongs and waving arms.

The concert included a good mix of songs including “Down Town Train,” “Having a Party,” “Forever Young,” “Hot Legs” and more.

Coming on stage in a tuxedo, he performed a medley of older songs and a bit of soft shoe, that caused a fan in the audience to yell, “Go Fred Astair!”

During the break, audience members stated that they were waiting to hear “Maggie Mae.”
“I think he is really good and I would come to see him again,” said audience member Paula Niggeman.”

Greg Green was there with a group from Beaver Dam to see the tribute, “Andrew is wonderful,” he said. “He does a great job.”

Rose Erwin had to be the greatest fan there. She was out of her seat most of the night dancing to the tunes.
“It was so entertaining!” she said after the show. “He looked good, and he danced and sang all my favorite songs. It was a fun night.”

Three of his biggest fans were Bethany Green, Sandy Cooper, Julie Mae, all board members and ushers from the MCT. They stood in the back and quite nicely sang back-up to Rod’s Songs, as well as dancing and cheering.

Andrew told the audience how nice the theater was, how much he enjoyed being here. He added that he hoped to get invited back saying he will bring his back up with him next time seeing that our stage is large enough.

He also called out a thank you to Steve, the theater’s sound and lighting person; and Bethany Green for all the help.

For the last part of the show Andrew was dressed in a purple vest and gold coat, which was removed and shirt sleeves rolled up to do “Hot Legs,” “Maggie Mae” and “Do You Think I am Sexy?”
We all knew the answer to that last song with the cheering and standing ovation he received.