Autumn on Broadway

Autumn on Broadway brought us an assortment of songs from some of the best musicals every written, the production team under the direction of Karen Butler ensured that cast delivered a sterling performance to some twenty fours songs over two acts. Music as always was brought to us by the societies Musical Director, Martyn Jones and his band and choreography was artistically brought to us by Ann Marie Clayton. Sound and lighting was good and the stage looked great which featured a Broadway cloth which enhanced the overall effect of the show.

The show opened with the whole ensemble delivering the song from 42nd Street, “Lullaby on Broadway” this was a confident lively and energetic opening, this was followed by Martyn Jones, musical director taking to the stage to sing “Try to Remember” accompanied by a beautiful lyrical dance  performed by Stacy Thompson, good confident performance and well danced.  There followed two musical numbers from My Fair Lady, the first performed by George Morgan–Watson accompanied by the cast singing “Get Me to the Church on Time” again good song and well performed it was followed by Karen Butler delivered a beautiful rendition of the iconic number “I could Have Danced All Night” with was beautifully sang. The male cast delivered a confident rendition of the title song “Guys and Dolls” which was followed by three musical numbers from Willy Russell’s iconic musical Blood Brothers, Ann- Marie Clayton opened this section and delivered a first class professional performance of “Easy Terms” fantastic vocals and defiantly for me the song of the show, Susan Rasper performed “Bright New Day” and “Tell Me Its Not True” supported by the chorus, again a well polished performance. There followed two ensemble numbers from the classic Roger and Hammerstein’s Carrousel, “June Is Busting Out All Over” and my favourite song from the show “Clambake” well sang and enjoyed by the audience, George Morgan-Watson delivered a first rate performance of “Any Dream Will Do” which was followed up by Richard Butler singing a moving performance of “Close Every Door” both from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  Act one concluded with Claire Warren and Liam Etherington leading the ensemble with “42nd Street” great choreographed tap routine and a perfect ending to the first Act.

Act two opened with two fabulous musical numbers from Fiddler on the Roof, Ann-Marie Clayton and Eric Hickson lead the ensemble with a moving interpretation of “Sunrise Sunset”, great duet, this was followed by Claire Warren, Angela Eason, Alex Graham and the female cast singing “Match Maker”. Susan Raper delivered a beautiful number “Send In The Clouds” from A Little Light Music accompanied by Stacey Thompson who performed a confident lyrical dance, there was a beautiful rendition of the song “Wondering Star” from Paint Your Wagon, this was confidently performed with great vocals and harmonies. Next the audience was treated to a medley of songs from the musical Jersey Boy’s these were confidently delivered by Liam Etherington, George Morgan-Watson, and Richard Butler and included songs “Sherry Baby”, “Walk Like A Man”,” Big Girls Don’t Cry” and the Bay City Roller’s number “Bye Bye Baby” great performance, Heidi and Eve Angssmann, and Rebecca Newman sang “Razzle Dazzle from Chicago, a lovely number and again well sang. A Lovely duet followed from Liam Etherington and Claire Warren to the title song “Me and My Girl”, Richard Butler followed with an outstanding performance to the beautiful number “Oh What a Circus”, there followed two numbers from one of my favourite musicals, Les Miserables the first, “Empty Chairs” sang by Laim Etherington a strong performance with lots of emotion and well delivered, Eric Hickson, Karen Butler accompanied by the ensemble sang one of the best know songs in the musical “Master of House” excellent performance with lots of characterisation and vocals.

To conclude this exceptional concert the whole cast sang the title song from there forthcoming production “Oklahoma” great vocals and a well polished performance, congratulations to everyone involved in delivering another great evening of first class entertainment.

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