‘Whitney Mann’ brings music and stories to small Madison theater

Whitney Mann is a bluegrass musician who, over the last four years, has become a fairly well known singer-songwriter in the Madison-area. Her most recent performance was along side Count This Penny at Broom Street Theatre, packing over seventy people into the tiny radiator shop-turned three quarter thrust blackbox.

The event was hosted by Dane101, putting on a Broom Street Session every fifth week. Working around the set of the play (One Man, One Woman by Callen Harty) currently showing. Using whatever lighting used for said show.

Mann’s music was soft and completely unplugged, without a microphone or amp bringing an intimate feel between her and the crowd. Pausing to tell stories, and to bring up a friend from Count This Penny to play a tune from their new and unnamed band. Keeping the show interesting, they would alternate every few songs from band to musician, with plenty of overlap in between.

Despite being in a smaller venue, Mann seemed to enjoy the audience, getting very interactive with them sitting not three feet away, bringing on a great connection. A number of audience members would tap their feet, mouth the lyrics, or at the right time sing along with the music.

Broom Street Theatre was a lively place. Check out Whitey Mann’s Facebook page for details on her upcoming shows and her albums, as well as Broom Street Sessions on Dane101.com.