Denise McGowan Tracy - Try and Stop Me!

A native Chicagoan, Denise became a SW Michigan resident in 2021 returning to the area that holds fond memories of her childhood summers spent on Paw Paw Lake. Her first appearance at The Box Factory for the Arts follows a 45+ year career in live entertainment and events – both on-stage and behind the scenes.  

She began her career as “not a skater” touring with Ice Follies/Holiday on Ice. She returned home to Chicago and was hired to manage and book talent for the storied Gold Coast nightclub Byfield’s where she worked with established and emerging performers.   

She was the creator and on-stage host of Monday Night Live at Petterino’s the impromptu musical showcase which ran for 13 years and over 600 shows welcoming hundreds of professional and aspiring singers from the cabaret, classical and musical theater world including local and touring productions such as Hamilton, Jersey Boys, The Lyric Opera production of Carousel and, literally, hundreds more until Covid brought down its unexpected final curtain in March, 2020.  https://www.facebook.com/denisemct1

Denise spent a decade as Director of Entertainment for Navy Pier, the Midwest’s largest tourist attraction. Her DMT Entertainment & Events created, produced and managed events from 1000 to 1000 guests for an impressive list of clients – corporate and private – and featuring headline talent including Jay Leno, Natalie Cole, Martin Short, Bernadette Peters, The Beach Boys and others.  

In 2019 she added “Playwright/Theatrical Producer” to her resume with the world premiere of Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish – The Musical, based on the book she penned in 2015.  It, and subsequent productions in the Midwest have been critically and audience acclaimed.  The show is available for licensing.   www.eleanorswish.com