His musical career began in his father’s church, where he performed songs by artists mentioned in sermons. David Keiski’s career took a turn during the pandemic when he literally heard voices in his sleep, leading to his current tribute performances of musicians like Roy Orbison. “In the last five or six years, a buddy of mine heard me sing and saw that I could hit these high notes. “And he said, ‘You should do Orbison,'” Keiski explained.
After that, the Minneapolis guy heard songs in his sleep that he thought were by Orbison but were actually by himself, making songs with the Orbison sound. David K, as he is known professionally, will bring his two-headed tribute concert, Roy Orbison followed by Buddy Holly, to the Mankato Playhouse on Friday. According to the Playhouse Facebook page, tickets were sold out by more than 80% as of Monday. Although Keiski began by merely kidding about with it, he claims that mimicking Orbison helps people recall recollections of the musician’s career, which spanned the 1950s to the 1980s. He died of a heart attack in 1988, after joining the Traveling Wilburys supergroup.
Orbison is most known for songs such as “Pretty Woman,” “Only the Lonely,” and “Crying,” with his unusual voice, jet black hair, and sunglasses contributing to his allure. “So, that’s the joy of it, being able to celebrate Roy or Buddy Holly and then throwing in one or two of my own (songs),” he said. The Mankato event will most likely feature a four-piece backup band, including a stringed instrument or two for the ballads, he said. “I dress up in their clothes, but I also have imitation guitars that they used to play. They are duplicates of what they used to play.” And, because they were both piano players, he will perform certain tunes on piano.
According to David Holmes, artistic director of Mankato Playhouse, Keiski contacted them about the production. Keiski stated that he has played successful gigs at the Kato Ballroom and frequently seeks out new venues to perform. Upcoming Season Tickets for the Mankato Playhouse’s 2024-25 season are also on sale. The season begins with two plays that do not involve dinner: “Prince Street Players Sleeping Beauty,” which runs from August 9 to 18, and “The Drowsy Chaperone,” which runs from September 27 to October 6.
The season takes a somber turn with the third show, “Next to Normal,” which runs from November 1 to 17. They look to be an average American family, but their lives are far from ordinary. “Next to Normal” transports viewers into the brains and hearts of each character while telling the family’s narrative. Dinner is offered at an additional fee. The season shifts to the holidays in December, with “A Charles Dickens Christmas” running from December 12 to 22. This show, a new take on “A Christmas Carol,” follows a young Charles Dickens as he battles to deliver the Christmas story he promised his publisher. Dinner is offered.
“Urinetown the Musical” will be staged from January 17 to February 2. Two heroes rise forward to spearhead a movement against the firm that exploits a government-imposed ban on private bathrooms. Dinner may be included with your ticket at an extra cost. The famous musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” will be staged from April 25 to May 11. The story, performed entirely in song, delves into the personal relationships and hardships of Jesus, his disciples, Judas, Mary Magdalene, and his followers. This is a supper show.
The season concludes on June 13-22 with “A Chorus Line: Teen Edition.” This performance depicts the stress of a Broadway ensemble audition, with songs like “What I Did for Love,” “One,” and “I Hope I Get It.” There is no dinner given. Tickets are available for purchase at mankatoplayhouse.com. This season, there is a new option to complete a package: purchase two or more shows on the same order and receive a 10% discount.
