Overture, Curtain, Lights: Best of Broadway 2013

Melissa Blosser
Assistant Editor

Best of Broadway dress rehearsals, being held this week, are one last chance for the cast to perfect their performance before their opening night on March 1st. This year spectators might notice a bit of a different flavor to the show, as the production now has new directors Susan Grant, Sherry Williams and Lisa Bernard.

“For the most part, we’ve kept with the traditional Best of Broadway format,” said Bernard.  “However, there are different directors and choreographers in place and they will naturally bring a different perspective.”For those who have never seen the annual show, Susanville Best of Broadway is a Broadway revue production which includes selections from hit Broadway musicals.  This year, they will perform selections from ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’, ‘Addams Family’, ‘Brigadoon’, ‘Wicked’, ‘Suessical’ and ‘Shrek.’The show also includes dancing with numbers choreographed by Jennifer House, Nicole McCoy, Amy McCoy and Tarvoris Murray.

Legally Best of Broadway is required to do their own interpretation of  the songs they perform and they are not permitted to make the show look too much like the original Broadway performances. According to Bernard this can be a challenge at times but cast and crew look at it as an opportunity to stretch their creative muscles.   The title of this year’s show is Pure Imagination.

Many Best of Broadway performers continue to be a part of the cast for many years and according to Bernard there are also some dynamic new additions.

“People should expect to see a really fun show packed with humor, action, stage lighting, sound effects, and incredible vocal and dance performances,” said Bernard.  “I think people will be blown away by the level of talent we have in our community.”

For more information on the event you can call 257-4323.

Many talented local individuals practice for months prior rehearsing each act to perfection.  The cast includes talented actors and actresses, soloists, chorus singers, costume designers, dancers, seamstresses and makeup artists and not to mention lighting, sound design, scenery construction and rigging crews