Garrison Keillor To Perform 'Intimate' Solo Show In Lake Forest

LAKE FOREST, IL — Former radio host Garrison Keillor is scheduled to perform a one-man show next month in Lake Forest. The creator of the longtime public radio variety show "A Prairie Home Companion" plans to present a trio of intimate live solo shows, starting at the John and Nancy Hughes Theater at the Gorton Community Center on Feb. 12, his staff announced Thursday.

"Garrison Keillor: Stories, Songs, Poetry, Humor" promises Keillor alone at a microphone presenting "gently humorous stories and poignant poetry, leading the audience in familiar songs, and appealing to our common sense of community and humanity," according to a release. Organizers said the show will feature stories of Keillor's childhood and "wry observational comedy."

Keillor, 77, founded the Minnesota-based radio show "A Prairie Home Companion" in 1974, and became known for his whimsical monologues about his fictional hometown of Lake Wobegon, which he described as a place "where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average."

In 2016, Keillor departed the show after picking mandolinist Chris Thile as his successor. The following year the show's name was changed to "Live from Here" after Minnesota Public Radio terminated its contract with Keillor following "multiple allegations" of "inappropriate behavior" toward employees.

Related:
Garrison Keillor's Home Drops In Price For 3rd Time
Former Radio Host Garrison Keillor Fired For 'Improper Behavior'
The Washington Post Drops Garrison Keillor's Column
Garrison Keillor Returns For Annual Live Radio Show At Ravinia

A settlement with Minnesota Public Radio allowed for the restoration of the "A Prairie Home Companion" archives, which his production company has released for sale. Keillor continues to produce a daily five-minute podcast called "The Writer's Almanac."

Tickets for the Feb. 12 Hughes Theater show were offered for sale at $45. Performances the next two days in Milwaukee and Madison were available for $40.

According to his website, Kiellor will depart on the 12th Prairie Home Cruise through the Caribbean in March. Tickets for the weeklong cruise are sold out.