Hello Broadway Review 2
The
Community College of Rhode Island's summer
show is "Hello Broadway! Review II featuring
both student and professional casts working
together, this show celebrates the music of
Stephen Sondheim as part of his 80th
birthday celebration year, remembering the
songs from "Gypsy", "Company", "Follies", "A
Little Night Music" and "Sweeney Todd". Then
the review takes you back to the golden age
of musicals with the 1943 hit musical
"Oklahoma!" plus more contemporary classics
"The Wiz" and "Annie". And for all the fans
of contemporary Broadway, you won't want to
miss the music from "Rent" and "Wicked".
Director/musical director Audrey Kaiser
picks 9 talented students and four
professional performers including herself to
perform these numbers in a dynamite
production that will have you cheering in
the aisles. Not only does Audrey play the
keyboards, sing, narrate, musically direct
and direct but she created this wonderful
evening of entertainment, too piecing all
the numbers together and all the marvelous
arrangements.
Audrey mixes the comic and dramatic elements
together perfectly creating a show for
people of all ages to enjoy. She also gives
each performer their moment to shine in this
show with the harmonic blend of voices
astounding the crowd. I will mention some of
the highlights. The first half of the show
opens with "Ten Minutes Ago"
and is performed by the students: George L.
Dowding, Brittany Dyer, Hilary Gothberg,
Mary Ellen Hurley, Jeff Liebrich, Joey
Mauricio, Brianne Perry, Antonio Rodrigues
and Jessica Schloesser. Group numbers
include "Oh What a Beautiful
Morning", "Oklahoma", "Hard Knock
Life", "Tomorrow" and with both casts
"Rhythm of Life" and "Seasons of Love", "One
Short Day" and "Everybody Rejoice". These
numbers standout with their harmonic blend
and powerful execution. Brittany plays the
piano with Audrey in a Fats Waller
number. Standout numbers in the Sondheim
segment include "Broadway Baby" by Mary
Ellen, "Not While I'm Around" by Antonio (my
favorite song in "Sweeney Todd"), "Johanna"
by Jeff and George whose tenor voices are
astounding, the "Not Getting Married" trio
from "Company" is astounding with Jess as
the soprano with a powerhouse voice, Brianne
is dynamite with the tongue twisting section
where you can understand every word she
sings(A future Fanny Brice in our midst) and
Antonio as Paul using his awesome tenor
voice, Brianne and Antonio also stop the
show with "Easy Street") the hilarious show
stopping stripper number from "Gypsy" "You
Gotta Get a Gimmick" by Hilary, Jess and
Mary Ellen while Carol Lyon's show stopping
number from Sondheim is the interwoven
numbers "Losing My Mind" and "Send in the
Clowns" as well as "Over the Rainbow",
Maria's is "Could I Leave You" and John's is
"Good Thing Going". Her talented
professional cast includes Audrey, Carol
Lyon, Maria Tavarozzi and John Alfiero.
Maria and John also do a terrific job with
the counterpoint song from "Call Me
Madam'', "Just in Love" with "I Don't Need
Analyzing" and Maria and Carol excel in
"Sisters" and "Bosom Buddies".
The second set opens with "Lullaby of Broadway" and "Nothing Can Stop Us Now". Carol also does an audience participation number "I'm Just Wild about Harry" with Scott from the audience. Stage manager Tai Scavetta keeps both acts running smoothly and also runs the intricate lighting for the show. Lisa Clough choreographs the first act while Margaret Hayes tackles the second act. Lots of creative dances in this show with wonderful execution by this cast. Lisa's son Liam Clough is on spotlight while Carol's son, Tom Ricciotti handling the sound. The talented cast is rewarded with a standing ovation at the close of this topnotch musical treat. So for a terrific fun filled evening of song and dance by some multitalented students and pros, be sure to catch "Hello Broadway! Review II"
The second set opens with "Lullaby of Broadway" and "Nothing Can Stop Us Now". Carol also does an audience participation number "I'm Just Wild about Harry" with Scott from the audience. Stage manager Tai Scavetta keeps both acts running smoothly and also runs the intricate lighting for the show. Lisa Clough choreographs the first act while Margaret Hayes tackles the second act. Lots of creative dances in this show with wonderful execution by this cast. Lisa's son Liam Clough is on spotlight while Carol's son, Tom Ricciotti handling the sound. The talented cast is rewarded with a standing ovation at the close of this topnotch musical treat. So for a terrific fun filled evening of song and dance by some multitalented students and pros, be sure to catch "Hello Broadway! Review II"
HELLO
BROADWAY! REVIEW II (CCRI
Music Department)
( 9 to 17 July, 2010)
Newport County Campus Theatre, One John Chaffee Boulevard, Newport,RI
1(401)825-2310 ext.2