The Magic of Musicals

This society fund raiser offering for a very appreciative audience was able to call upon real talent in the company. It featured a selection of songs from some of the very best of musicals over the last 70 years or so including two of the latest from Broadway. A brief informative narration about each show was a cleverly thought out introduction initiative.

A number of routines vocally and artistically driven by energy and pace made this showcase a real spectacle for the audience and it would be invidious to pick out individuals. There were a number of performances of extremely high standard in solo appearances, duets and small groups and the full ensemble in many superbly well-choreographed pieces. All supported by a well balance 3piece band placed on stage right. Effective sound and lighting too further enhanced this charming 160 seater venue.

Costumes were vibrant and colourful appropriate for the shows and musical numbers including the one on stage behind a carefully held horizontal curtain. There were effective lighting sound and props.

To open the production from the show ‘Wicked’ ‘One Short Day’ ‘The Wizard and I, Dancing through Life’ and ‘For Good’ were included. This was followed by the stunning piece ‘Masquerade’ from ‘Phantom of the Opera’ , a wonderful solo ‘ Music of the Night ‘ and an emotionally charged duet ‘All I Ask of You’,  finishing with the whole company filling the stage in a performance of the title song.

In all three numbers from ‘Mary Poppins’ performances were exhilarating and very well timed. ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ began the section followed by ‘Spoonful of Sugar’ and finally again with great precision ‘Step in Time’

Act I finished with one of the more recent shows ‘Hamilton’ in ‘Alexander Hamilton’, ‘Story of Tonight’, ‘Burn’ and ‘My Shot’. The company then for the Act 1 finale in ‘The Schuyler Sisters’

The second half began with the company taking full advantage of an advanced promotion opportunity as the audience was treated to a snapshot rehearsal on video with music from their  forthcoming production ‘The Wedding Singer’ in April 2020.

Act 2 then continued with ‘Welcome to the 60’s, from ‘Hairspray’, ‘Timeless to Me’, ‘I Know where I’ve Been’ and of course the rousing full company number ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’. From well known musicals then to ‘Dear Evan Hansen’. Numbers included ‘Weaving through the Window’, ‘Only Us’ and ‘You will be Found’. Wonderful music superb harmony and no wonder from the pen of Justin Paul a prolific American songwriter who wrote for  ‘La Land’ and ‘The Greatest Showman’.

No compilation should be without the music of Leonard Bernstein and in ‘West Side Story’ with ‘Tonight’, ‘Somewhere’ and the quality vocal and dance performances in ‘America’ the company did his amazing score justice. Act 2 finished with pieces from ‘The Greatest Showman’ . ‘Come Alive’, Never Enough’ the big chorus number ‘This is Me’ and ‘A Million Dreams’. The whole company finale piece then rounding off in impressive style the title number.

This was a carefully chosen repertoire of pieces from the world of musicals that have achieved popularity and the company are to be congratulated on providing an evening of enjoyable entertainment.

Thank you again for your kind invitation.

Ian G Cox -Regional Councillor & NODA Vice Chairman

On behalf of Joyce Eyre 

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