Times Colonist

Give Our Regards to Broadway

- BY VIRGINIA WATSON-ROUSLIN

The Great White Way produced hundreds of musicals since numerous theatres were built around Times Square in the early 1900s. Since then, musicals have travelled far and enriched audiences around the world, particular­ly in North America and London’s West End. Today, you can see musical production­s anywhere – from high-school auditorium­s to the Royal Alex in Toronto. In late April, you can enjoy a two-hour display of the best of Broadway from the 65-voice Peninsula Singers at the Mary Winspear Centre.

Artistic Director Lena Palermo selected songs from 18 musicals – from the early 20th century to several currently selling out on Broadway – a rich bounty ranging from the familiar to the not-so-familiar. Lena’s reach begins with 1904s Give My Regards to Broadway from Little Johnny Jones, and arrives at Welcome to the

Rock, from Come From Away – a salute to Gander residents who welcomed 38 planes from afar on 9/11.

You’ll recognize songs from some of the longest-running musicals, like Les Miserables, Mamma Mia, The Phantom and Cats. On the other hand, you may be new to Tony-award winning numbers from Wicked, Rent, Something’s Rotten, or a show where it’s almost impossible to get tickets on Broadway. That would be Hamilton, a sung and rapped musical about one of the American founding fathers.

“My intention is to give the audience a taste of the phenomenal music of Broadway,” says Lena “and to showcase my incredible chorus’ ability to perform your favourites along with exciting new works that I’m quite certain audiences will love, too.”

The Spotlight on Young Artists features eight, not-so-shy kids from Lena’s Broadway Bound program who will perform Castle on a Cloud from Les Miserables, and Revolting Children from

Matilda. They’ll perform alongside their older counterpar­ts from the Singers on several other numbers.

The Barre None Dancers from Shawnigan Lake will add to the magic with performanc­es from Hairspray and Chicago.

When you arrive at the theatre, be prepared to be serenaded by Trio Brio, the Singers’ small orchestra who will perform in the Winspear lobby with numbers from even more great musicals such as Showboat to Birth of the Blues. Trio is comprised of accompanis­t Janet Yonge, percussion­ist Terry Erskine and double bass player, Jennifer Bennett. The show will be hosted by long-time MC, Jim Kingham. Horn player William Culp – a Big Band veteran from both here and Florida, is added to the mix.

Proceeds raised will go to the Peninsula Hospital Foundation’s Music Therapy Program. To date, the Singers have donated more than $46,000.

 ??  ?? Spotlight on Young Artists features eight kids from Lena Palermo’s Broadway Bound program.
Spotlight on Young Artists features eight kids from Lena Palermo’s Broadway Bound program.
 ??  ?? Photo (right): Artistic Director Lena Palermo.
Photo (right): Artistic Director Lena Palermo.

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