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4 singers sizzle in red-hot revue of Broadway songs
By JOHN NORTH
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FLAT ROCK — The musical revue, “Broadway on the Rock,” was touted by the Flat Rock Playhouse as an exploration of “the passion, spectacle and delights that define the blockbuster hits of Broadway.”
And the FRP delivered on that promise, based on the scintillating performance witnessed by this reviewer on July 21, the show’s final night. (“Broadway on the Rock ran July 6-21.) About 300 people attended the final evening performance in the 506-seat auditorium, but the matinee earlier the same day reportedly was sold-out — as were many of the show’s performances. “Broadway on the Rock” featured a 50-minute first act and a 45-minute second act.
While all four of the featured vocalists performed well, Alfred Jackson was, far and away, the standout, and Alexa Green was clearly the next best singer in the show.As Cooper quoted Dorothy before the group’s rendition of the show’s finale, “Home” from the show “The Wiz” (a remake of “The Wizard of Oz) musical:“When I think of HomeI think of placeWhere there’s love overflowing....”
Cooper then noted that the phrase from “The Wiz” encapsulates how he and the members of “Broadway on the Rock” feel about the Playhouse and its audience.
After the performance of “Home,” the audience gave a rousing and sustained standing ovation to the show.
Jackson turned in lots of excellent renditions of songs, but most memorable to this reviewer was his spellbinding “Maria.”
Besides the aforementioned Jackson and Green, the other two featured singers were Lindsay O’Neill and Sean Cooper, both of whom showed great promise.
The band, led by Alex Shields (who played keyboard No. 1), was superb. The other band members included Andrew Rogelberg, keyboard No. 2; Chris Imhoff, trumpet; Sabrina Kumar, reeds; Bill Altman, guitar; Daniel Iannucci, bass; and Paul Babelay, drums. The sound designer was Ashli Arnold Crump.
Also deserving accolades were Production Manager Adam Goodrum, Stage Manager Elly Leidner (assisted by Constantina Barile, Costumer Director Ashli Arnold Crump and Lighting Director C.J. Barnwell.
The show was conceived, directed and choreographed by Matthew Glover, who did a splendid job.
As Glover stated in the program’s liner notes, “Many of you may remember the moment you first discovered Broadway musicals. I do.
“I was four years old, sitting in front of the TV on a family vacation. I remember seeing a woman running up hillsides, twirling and dancing. There were children, like me, and women in black and white dresses who also sang and danced. I was hooked. ‘The Sound of Music’ introduced me to the world of Broadway and I’ve never looked back.
“After directing last season’s successful run of ‘The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber,’ I was excited and thrilled to conceive and create another show. Ideas and show tunes immediately began to swirl around in my head — so many songs, in fact, that it felt impossible to refine! Over time and several drafts, the arch took shape, and some melodies even morphed into medleys. While you may not recognize every number, trust that each song you hear tonight was carefully crafted to take you on a musical journey through Broadway history.
“My hope is that you’ll leave with a kick in your step, humming a show tune.
“And who knows, perhaps this production will be that ‘first moment’ of inspiration for another young person.”
The show started with the sheer curtain remaining drawn, with the band silhoutted behind it, performing “Overture of Overtures.”
The first-act songs included “Broadway Suite,” “Rodgers and Hammerstein Suite,” “Let’s Fall in Love,” “Maria/Somewhere,” “Flesh Failures/Let the Sunshine In,” “As Long As He Needs Me,” “Almost Like Being in Love,” “Being Alive,” “I Got Love” and “What I Did for Love/One.”The second act opened with “Jellicle Ball,” followed by “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,” “Why God, Why,” “Les Miserables Suite,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” “In His Eyes,” “Wicked Suite” and the finale, “Home.”
The roughly 40-voice FRP Chorus added much to the show, with spirited and on-key harmony and background vocals.
The Pat’s School of Dance dancers included Caroline Jones, Jasmine Hyatt, Brianna Haston, Kaitlyn Harrington, Tori Gunning, Trinity Luce, Breena Orr, Claire Parker, Alexis VanHook, Autumn Freeman, Alli Surrette and Kat Siefert.
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