Olde World River Journey

Amy Armstrong & Freddy Allen

Of all the entertainers performing today, Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen are the ones standing out above the rest. This Chicago-based “Dynamic Duo” has been captivating audiences for over ten years.

Amy and Freddy have performed in cities coast to coast, including Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, Key West, San Francisco, St. Paul, Seattle, Detroit, Saugatuck, Provincetown, Denver, Puerto Vallarta, Ft. Lauderdale, Grand Rapids, and Chicago. In 1998, their travel took them to Denmark where were the featured artists at Copenhagen’s New Year’s Concert. They have been the opening act for several familiar names including Mary Wilson and the Supremes, Phyllis Diller, Bea Arthur, Jennifer Holiday, Judy Tenuta, Lois Bromfeld, and Judy Gold. For over six years, they have been considered as one of the most popular cabaret acts for RSVP Cruise Lines. RSVP has hired Amy and Freddy as their 2007 “Entertainment Ambassadors.”

When Amy and Freddy are not on tour, they are headlining in Chicago at Roscoe’s on Monday nights and @mosphere on Wednesday night. They are also proud to be entertainers for the University of Illinois GLBT Program.

Originally from Detroit, Amy has been a professional entertainer since she was a young child. Her powerful and soulful voice mesmerizes listeners while her hilarious and risqué humor keeps them doubled over in laughter. Amy made her home in Chicago in 1995 and quickly became one of the Windy City’s hottest talents.

Freddy, Amy’s pianist and music director, has been a professional musician for over twenty years. After moving from St. Louis in 1995, Freddy successfully made his name as one of Chicago’s most well known pianists. When he is not performing with Amy, Freddy works as a free-lance musician and teaches piano and voice.

Amy and Freddy have produced four very successful albums; Amy and Freddy – the debut, Life is a Cabaret, Naturally Flawless and Feeling Good. All of the recordings have been recognized nationally, and have received rave reviews.

Amy’s beautiful voice, edgy humor and quick wit, combined with Freddy’s impeccable musical arrangements and sly repartee, creates an evening of enjoyable and unforgettable entertainment.

In 2006, Amy and Freddy premiered their highly acclaimed holiday show, How the Diva Stole Christmas! at the Lakeshore Theater in Chicago. They are excited to announce the opening of their new music and comedy show in the Summer of 2007 at the Lakeshore Theater. 

Recent awards include:

• 2006 Chicago After Dark Award for Outstanding Cabaret Artists
• 2007 Chicago Free Press Pressie Award for Best Local Musical Artists

For more info please visit them on the web at www.AmyFreddy.com

Michele Balan

Michele Balan was one of the four finalists on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” and she is “The Last Women Comic…”

Voted one of the “Top 10 Comics” by Backstage Magazine in 2004, Michele Balan is a brash, New York Stand-up comedian who has performed on Comedy Central as well as in top comedy clubs, theatres, festivals and on cruises all over the country.

Often told she was naturally funny, the Brooklyn native left a high-paying executive position at a computer company to pursue comedy – even though comedy has never proved as lucrative – and she has been performing ever since.

She got her start as a “Female female-impersonator,” doing lip sync impressions of Bette Midler.  Now people tell her she is like a “Female George Burns with many one-liners.”  Michele’s career has taken her from The Improv in Los Angeles to Caroline’s on Broadway in New York City, and from the Montreal "Just For Laughs Festival" to the "Dinah Shore Women’s Weekend".

Michele has shared the stage with Kathy Najimy, Jennifer Holiday, Taylor Dayne, Harvey Fierstein, Bruce Vilanch and Nell Carter.  In 1999 she recorded a CD at The Improv in Los Angeles which features Nell Carter singing a song parody that Michele wrote.

Michele recently recorded the critically acclaimed DVD entitled “LIVE, Just Barely” at the famed Joe’s Pub, home to the public theatre and performers like Joan Rivers, Eartha Kitt and Leslie Gore, for whom she just wrote a comedy segment. You can find Michele on the web at www.comicbalan.com.

Paul J. Williams

Paul J. Williams is in his 2nd year with RSVP Vacations as one of their hosts and MCs, having started off as one of RSVP’s headline comedians. Whether he is hosting main stage shows, pool games or “church bingo” as his alter-ego, Sister Helen Holy, Paul J. brings laughter and smiles to every cruise. He frequently works as a host/MC for various GLBT and charitable organizations and appears around the country (and in his home base Dallas) in his one-man show, DISHING IT OUT. Check him out at www.PaulJWilliams.com