Relive the 1970s duo’s music at ‘The Carpenters Songbook:
A Live Celebration’ Oct. 20
Christina Hélène Braa portrays Karen Carpenter and Kevin Lausche portrays her brother, Richard Carpenter, in “The Carpenters Songbook: A Live Celebration,” coming Oct. 20 to the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. COURTESY CHELSEA FOSTER
By Mary Ann Bourbeau
RED BANK – Few voices in pop history echo the sentimentality of Karen Carpenter. The unforgettable songs she recorded with her brother Richard made The Carpenters one of the most successful recording acts of the 1970s.
Now fans old and young can take a trip back to that era when “The Carpenters Songbook: A Live Celebration” comes to the Count Basie Center for the Arts on Tuesday, Oct. 20. This all-new concert experience, from the creators of “The Simon & Garfunkel Story,” will bring the duo’s celebrated songs, remarkable story and enduring legacy to the stage with a six-piece band and narration, allowing audiences to relive some of their most cherished songs, including “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Close to You, “Top of the World,” “Rainy Days and Mondays” and many more.
“The music of The Carpenters has a unique ability to transport people back to some of life’s most meaning- ful moments,” Dean Elliott, creator and director of the production, said. “These songs are woven into the soundtrack of so many lives. Our goal was to create an evening that honors Karen and Richard’s extraordinary artistry while giving audiences the chance to experience that music together in a truly special way.”
Singer and actress Christina Hélène Braa leads the production as Karen Carpenter.
“A lot of people who grew up with The Carpenters have fond memories associated with these songs,” Braa said. “There was a real simplicity to their sound. The lyrics are timeless.”
Braa, who shares a March 2 birthday with Karen Carpenter, launched her career in musical theater with the national tour of “Peter Pan” as well as “Beetlejuice” and “Icons” on Norwegian Cruise Line. Her work spans film, theater and dance, but her greatest love has always been singing. Although she was born in a different generation, Braa is honored to sing these songs in Karen’s memory.
“It’s amazing to think that someone I was not aware of until recently has had such an impact on me,” she said. “I have a strong connection to Karen, and I love being able to channel her through this show. It’s hard to get through some of the songs without shedding a tear.”
The show outlines the careers of Karen and Richard, from their rise to the heights of the music business to Karen’s untimely death from anorexia in 1983 at the age of 32. With more than 100 million records sold worldwide, the unmistakable sound of the Carpenters was defined by Karen’s warm contralto vocals and Richard’s sophisticated arrangements.
Actor, singer and musician Kevin Lausche stars as Richard Carpenter, whose role in the original band included record producer, arranger, pianist, keyboardist and songwriter in addition to singing harmony vocals with his sister.
“Kevin is extremely talented,” Braa said. “He not only plays Richard as well as keyboards and harmony vocals, but he also serves as the show’s music director. He’s young, but it’s incredible how much he has accomplished.”
Braa explained how Lausche came up with new song transitions since the original tunes often had fade-out endings.
“The Carpenters had a lot more instruments in their band, but Kevin worked to figure out how to recreate the beautiful, lush sounds of a full orchestra,” she said.
See “The Carpenters Songbook: A Live Celebration” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. Tickets are $41 to $76, available at thebasie.org. VIP packages with meet-and-greet opportunities are also available.
This article originally appeared in the October 8-14, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
