KC native Cara Fish back in town for ‘Moon River’ revue

One would never imagine that “The Lawrence Welk Show” was one of the first major influences in 27-year-old Cara Michelle Fish’s singing career. Fish’s grandfather would rock her to sleep as she listened to the music.

“He’d say, ‘Cara, you’ve got to watch the “The Lawrence Welk Show”; it will pay off some day. Watch how they do this.’ Every night, I’d get a call from grandpa — ‘Turn on the TV.’ ”

Grandpa was right. Some of those same songs she heard as a child she will soon perform at the Chestnut Theatre in Olathe in a musical revue called “Moon River — Johnny Mercer’s American Songbook,” featuring 50 songs from 50 years. (See below for details.)

Fish will join Jon Daugharthy, Sarah Lamar and Cary Mock as they perform such standards as “One For My Baby,” “Summer Wind,” Autumn Leaves,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “Accentuate the Positive,” “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby,” and many more.

‘I got the bug early’

Fish, the daughter of Annette and Joel Fish, said she was always surrounded by music. Her grandmother taught her to play piano and took her to shows at the Music Hall.

“I saw ‘Peter Pan’ for the first time, and it was magical. That was it for me; that sold me on it,” she said. “I got the bug early on. Once I started, I could not stop. I loved the person I could become when I got on stage.

“I feel like it’s really helped me shape the person I’m becoming and the person I strive to become. And it’s not just the performing, it’s the people you meet. … I’ve never met anyone I haven’t been able to learn something from.”

Fish toured internationally with “Cats” for two years, 2006-2008, playing Jennyanydots. In addition to the United States, the show played in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Santiago, Chile.

“I was like, ‘Are you serious; I’m getting paid to do this?’ And (in South America) the performances started later in the day, 9 p.m. So we would have the entire day to be tourists,” she said.

When the tour concluded, she moved to Minneapolis, where she performed in the chorus of “Bernstein Mass” (a musical theater work composed by Leonard Bernstein) with the Minnesota Orchestra.

She just appeared in a 2009 Christmas show called “Junior Claus” at the Burnsville (Minn.) Performing Arts Center, creating the character Pengy the Penguin. She is currently trying to break into voiceover work while keeping her apartment and part-time day job in Minnesota during the run of “Moon River.”

“I haven’t booked anything yet. I’m just waiting for that perfect voiceover spot,” Cara said. “That’s kind of the direction I’m going — trying to find different ways to use my voice.”

What? Not a Broadway musical?

“I’m at a point in my life where I’m trying to figure it out: What is the next step for me? Where do I want to go from here? … Broadway … would be really wonderful. But I’m happy performing. As long as I’m on stage, as long as I’m singing, that’s what makes me happy.

“I just feel life has a way of really working out. If it’s meant to be, it happens. So I live my life by that philosophy, taking things as they come.”

The balanced life

In addition to her singing career, Fish works part time for the Jewish Community Relations Council in Minneapolis as program coordinator for its “Justice Squared” initiative. Her main focus is on a literacy-opportunity program, which matches volunteers with school and after-school programs. She also works in adult-mentoring programs, matching volunteers with new immigrants.

But Fish said what she loves most is the Interfaith Youth Leadership Coalition, a joint endeavor of the JCRC and the St. Paul Area Council of Churches.

“We have about 22 youths from all different faith traditions. It’s about youth voice and youth empowerment and breaking down bridges and stereotypes that divide us. These youth are so inspiring. They’re leaders,” she said.

While in Kansas City, Fish has been able to continue her JCRC work remotely.

“It’s this really wonderful balance I have right now of working for JCRC and also being able to perform on the side,” she said. “I loved ‘Cats’ … but I needed to find a balance … and not be consumed by performing. I just needed a little break from it.”

Fish is in a happy place right now.

“It’s just so exciting because you never know what’s going to happen next,” she said. “The unknown is always exciting; scary, but kind of fun to fly by the seat of your pants.”

Johnny Mercer music on tap

“Moon River — Johnny Mercer’s American Songbook” will be staged at the Chestnut Theatre, 234 N. Chestnut, Olathe, Kan., Feb. 4 through March 7. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays. There will be one matinee at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13. Tickets are $21, with discounts for children, seniors and groups. For reservations or more information, call the Chestnut Theatre, (913) 764-2121.

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