Curtain Up Café

The Society creatively transformed the venue into café style with round tables and ambient lighting to present what was a musical feast with selected arrangements from many well and lesser known musicals.  The company with soloist Scott Thomson set the scene in opening with ‘The Greatest Show’, segwaying into ‘Magic To Do’ then explaining the principle of ‘A Musical’ suitably enacted by Esther O’Hara and John McKenzie.  The children brought great energy, enthusiasm and excitement to the ‘Kids on Broadway’ and ‘Silly Disney’ selections leaving us in no doubt they were ‘All in This Together’, which included solos from Aria Poli and Jack Brown.  There were also highlights from ‘The Jersey Boys’ with soloist John McKenzie and fabulous 'Wicked' performances from Ester O’Hara and Julie Tomson, singing ‘For Good’ and Julie Brown, ‘Defying Gravity’.  Saj Sabri’s interpretation of ‘This is the Moment’ was outstanding as was Julie Brown’s ‘One Night Only’ and Julie Thomson’s 'Beauty and The Beast'.  Violet Thompson brought entertaining characterisation to the evening with specs and a beanie hat, claiming her absolute ‘Want to sing in a Choir’!  Further selections included highlights from Dear Evan Hansen, Phantom, Hamilton and Les Miserables all well-presented by the company collectively but I must make special mention of the musical number ‘SIX’, capably performed by Julie Brown, Mia Cochrane, Gillian McCallion, Lynn Mulvenna, Laura Sabri and Haley Stevenson.  There were many great musical moments peppered throughout the show and it is unfortunate that I cannot name each number or performer individually.  The club was on top form under the musical direction of Elizabeth Pearson, assisted by Carol Hannigan with Artistic Direction and Choreography provided by Sarah Booth which was subtle and lovely to watch.  ‘Christmas on Broadway’ brought a fitting finale to the evening which involved the entire company including the children and was just what we needed - ‘A little Christmas!  A huge congratulations to members of the society, the production team, sound and lighting for what was a most enjoyable and entertaining evening.

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