Featuring Emily Portman as Loretta Lynn with The Coalminers
April 4, 2025 | 7:00 p.m.
Celebrating 20 years of the Alberta S. Kimball Foundation Series
Sponsored by Cecil & Sue Streeter
Join us for an AfterGlow in The Grand Lounge featuring Erin Krebs!
At an early age, perhaps due to her Kentucky roots and natural inflection, Emily Portman was told that she, “sounded a lot like” country music legend, Loretta Lynn, so she became a student of her artistry.
She was discovered by Michael Twitty (eldest son of Conway Twitty) who cast her to portray Loretta in the nationally touring musical, “It’s Only Make Believe.” Over the next two decades, her portrayal of the Coal Miner’s Daughter would carry to the most prestigious stages (including the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry).
Portman made frequent trips to Loretta Lynn’s Ranch and, during one of her visits, the two singers were enjoying a casual conversation when, in mid-sentence, Lynn paused, looked at her straight in the eyes and said, “ya’ know, we have a real connection, don’t we?” If you ever saw the two performers together, the connection they shared was obvious.
After Ms. Lynn’s unfortunate recent passing, Emily Portman connected with Loretta’s longtime backup band, The Coalminers. They agreed to join talents and collaborate to honor the memory and music of this true country music trailblazer with “Always Loretta” – a show authorized by the Loretta Lynn family that includes all the greatest hits and shares intimate stories of Loretta’s life through the eyes of those who knew her best.
Tickets: 45 | 55 Suite Seats: 58
All sales are final. Prices inclusive of tax, facility, and ticketing fees. Online purchases may incur additional fees.
Join us for an AfterGlow in The Grand Lounge featuring Erin Krebs!
From sultry jazz to blues and soul, Erin Krebs lights up the stage with electrifying performances that reflect her genuine passion and zest for life. A celebrated artist in the Wisconsin music scene, Erin has been honored with multiple Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Awards, including Jazz Artist of the Year (2023, 2018) and Female Vocalist of the Year (2019). With five additional WAMI awards across various categories, she stands as a shining star in the industry and is also a proud member of The Recording Academy.
Erin's love for music was evident from an early age—she was belting out songs on tabletops by age three. A Southern Wisconsin native, she earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from UW-Oshkosh and spent a decade teaching music before dedicating herself fully to her career as a vocalist and music educator.
Today, Erin leads her own Jazz duo & group, fronts the powerhouse blues and soul band Mama Ginger & the Red Hots, and collaborates with Oshkosh's Water City Jazz Orchestra. She has also been a featured guest with numerous acclaimed ensembles across the Fox Valley and beyond.
Erin's discography includes the award-winning album Brighter Days, released by Sun Goose Records, which showcases her remarkable artistry. Whether captivating audiences with her soulful interpretations or mentoring students, Erin's unwavering dedication to her craft continues to leave an indelible mark on the music world.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Accessibility Services
- The Grand is accessible for patrons who have hearing or mobility impairments. The Grand Lounge is wheelchair accessible, but not the balcony, Suite Seats, or gallery seating. Please notify The Box Office about special seating needs when purchasing tickets.
- The main lobby, historic lobby, main floor and The Grand Lounge are completely accessible to all patrons with mobility impairments by means of an elevator and a wheelchair lift. The elevator is located in the hallway between the main lobby restrooms and the wheelchair lift is located in the main lobby near the women's restroom. The exterior accessible entrance is located on the West side of building. The front doors do lead to steps in order to enter the main lobby.
- Assisted listening devices are available free of charge to hearing impaired patrons, at the box office. To use a headset, contact the house manager, the nearest usher before events or go directly to the box office. A major credit card, state ID or driver's license is all that is required for deposit.
- The Grand is equipped with a TCoil Hearing Loop. To use this technology, switch your hearing aid to the "T" (Telecoil) setting.
- American Sign Language Interpreters may be provided for Grand-presented events upon request. Please contact Leah Demski, Patron Services Manager, by phone: 920-424-2355 or email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire about this service at least 2 weeks prior to the event you wish to attend.
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Night of a Performance
- Doors open one-hour prior to a performance, and seating begins a half-hour prior to a performance unless otherwise stated.
- The Box Office also opens one-hour prior to a performance for will-call and other ticketing needs.
- The Grand Lounge also opens at that time, when applicable.
- Most performances have a run time of 90 minutes. Please call the Box Office if you have questions about a specific performance.
- The Grand, including The Grand Lounge, is a tobacco-free facility. This includes, but is not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and electronic cigarettes, including tobacco-free electronic cigarettes.
- Per Oshkosh City Ordinance 17-3 and Wisconsin Statutes §943.13, No person shall enter upon or remain on these premises while carrying firearms or weapons.
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Amenities
- Coat check is available in the main lobby. Depending on the performance, it may not be staffed but still available for patrons to use to hang coats.
- The elevator is located in the hallway north of the main lobby to access The Grand Lounge and Balcony seating.
- A wheelchair elevator is also available in the main lobby.
- Restrooms are available in the main lobby and in The Grand Lounge. All restrooms are wheelchair-accessible.
- Will Call: Tickets held at Will Call can be picked up one hour prior to the show. Please be prepared to present your order number or confirmation to the Box Office Operator.
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Camera and Video Policy
- With the exception of digital programs on a mobile device, usage of distracting, noise-making devices are not allowed. This includes, but is not limited to, cameras, cellular phones, pagers, laser pointers and recording devices.
- Enforcement and specific photo policies may vary at the request of the performer(s).
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Ticketing Policies
- The Grand Oshkosh and its ticketing platform Ovationtix (AudienceView) are the only authrozied ticket sellers.
- Individual ticket prices are inclusive of tax, facility, and ticketing fees—some orders my incur additional processing fees. All programs, dates, times and prices are subject to change. Lost tickets can be reprinted 1 hour prior to show time. A per-tickets fee may apply.
- All sales are final unless a performance is canceled or postponed, with the following exceptions: Exchanges are allowed within a single performance, or within a performance run of the same event, providing that tickets are returned to the Box Office at least 24 hours prior to the initial event. These exchanges will incur a per-ticket charge. Please contact the Box Office for all requirements, exceptions and conditions for exchanges. Donors and package purchasers may exchange tickets from one Season event to another providing that tickets are returned to the Box Office at least 24 hours prior to the initial event, without incurring a fee. This benefit does not apply to Special Events or Non-Subscription Events.
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Ticketing Discounts
- Please mention any applicable discounts to the Box Office when purchasing tickets. Discounts may be available for Multi-show purchasers, Senior Citizens (aged 62+), Students, and Groups (10 or more). Applicable discounts vary per performance, are not valid for previously purchased tickets and cannot be combined. For more information please contact The Grand Oshkosh Box Office.
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Inclement Weather
- On rare occasions, inclement weather can occur on the day of a Grand Oshkosh event. If the performers and necessary equipment arrive before, or in spite of, the inclement weather, they will perform as scheduled. Even if a ticket-holder is unable to attend due to the weather, no refunds will be given. For status updates on any performance, please call 920-267-7554.
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Where to Stay
- Making plans for to #DiscoverOshkosh for a weekend? Be sure to check out our preferred places to stay when choosing where to end your eventful days!
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Where to Eat
- There's nothing better than dinner and a show! Be sure to check out our preferred places to dine when choosing where to enjoy your evening in Oshkosh and the Greater Fox Valley!
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Parking
