Stylish send-off for performing artist

ZIYANA! Me, Myselfie and I (and friends) Theatre Royal, October 10, Reviewed by Keile Johns Saturday evening belonged to Ziyana Ruiz Lopez.

Setting her sights on a career in musical theatre, this show was part of a fundraising effort to propel Ziyana to the other side of the world where she intends to pursue study in the performing arts.

It was one of those shows where you can feel the love in the room.

Almost filling the Theatre Royal were many of Ziyana’s family and friends as well as many, like me, who have seen similar stories unfold in recent times – thinking of Natalie Davies who held a similar show earlier this year.

Local radio host Breffni O’Rourke brought a wonderful warmth to the evening as the MC, engaging the audience throughout the evening with biographical snippets of Ziyana’s life to this point .

A brilliant singer and performer in her own right already, Ziyana was stunning as she sang her way through a variety of songs from musical theatre, film and television.

Her ‘‘friends’’ proved to be a stellar cast of local talent from the local musical theatre scene and Soundstage.

The evening unfolded with masterful performances from such vocal talent as Allison Cormack, Michaela Sheehan, Chris Goodyear, Sophie Ricketts, Mike O’Malley, Jake Robinson, Louise Sables, Peter Thomson. Ziyana’s brother, Yitzin also sang bravely as Elsa in their Frozen duet.

This opening number set a comfortable, easy tone to the entire evening; with each performance the audience was introduced to a member of Ziyana’s wider musical family.

Francis Meria played piano like a possessed genius. I couldn’t help but smile when he was on stage, and he and Ziyana together were a mighty force.

Nick Erasmuson and Aimee Robinson combined with their usual brilliance to end the show with Ziyana with energy and passion that tore up the boards and had the audience out of their seats.

Dance performances from Livvi Lloyd, Mackenzie Gardner, The Soundstage Tappers, Lily Warne, Georgina Lee and the cast of Grease mixed into the program and, as Breffani observed, created a ‘‘box o’chocolates’’ evening where the audience was not quite sure what was coming next.

And, for Ziyana, who knows what’s next? Go girl . . . and share your gift with the world.