By Shelley Bennett
Are you even from Susanville if you missed seeing a Best of Broadway performance this year? After a two-year hiatus, this performing arts showcase is back and better than ever. I was able to catch the show last Wednesday night and was so impressed by the experience.
It seemed like every show and every number chosen was done so for full audience appeal. The songs were upbeat, the choreo had you dancing in your seat, and the performers themselves gave it their all. The costumes and sets were all rich and unique and I never felt that a song was missing something.
The show started with the iconic stomping heard at the intro of The Greatest Showman. Then I realized that the performers were actually surrounding the audience in a riot of colors, textures, and costumes.
It took almost the full song for me to take everything in. Yes, there is the bearded lady, the strong man, a trapeze artist or two, and of course the ring master! I thought it was the perfect number to start with because it really set the audience up for the wild ride ahead.
Mikalah Gray was the director of the opener and says, “It’s so inspirational for any person of ANY age. It teaches us to be ourselves no matter what people say.” She credits her mom Jennifer House for assisting with choreography which made the experience so much more special.
One of the directors and choreographers, Doria Dalu, remarked that you can find her standing in the back watching the performers as “feelings of frustration, hopelessness, and pride creep up.” She said they put weeks “of effort into learning, and teaching, and rehearsing and it’s a badge of honor to feel these emotions periodically…pride comes from seeing [her] performers smiling, knowing THEY did a nice job.”
I can only imagine how proud she must have been when watching Cary Ehrlich, Jennifer Ormachea, Whitley Perkins, Stephanie Moore, and Sara Theel as they performed “If My Friends Could See Me Now” from Sweet Charity. These five women all brought their own form of sultry to this song and together brought up the temperature in the room.
The tone grew a little more serious when the cast of Hamilton took the stage with “Alexander Hamilton”. Two of the standouts in this number were Emilio “Wolf” Haynes and Zack Mallery. They were 100% on point with their rapped lyrics and precise dance steps.
Emily Vorlicky quoted the lyrics from Hamilton, “Pride is not the word I’m looking for—there is so much more inside me now” and then said, “This quote very accurately describes how I personally feel about this year’s production.” She praised the amazing cast, crew, and team of volunteers who help bring the directors’ visions come to life.
When Michelle Ngotel entered as everyone’s favorite Snowman, singing “In Summer” from Frozen, all of the children in the audience were mesmerized. She had the perfect expressions and vocal intonations to bring our beloved Olaf to life. Adelin McClure was the ideal complement as a sweet and naïve Anna.
Ian Hill played a very convincing Beetlejuice in “The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing” while the whole ensemble set the backdrop of the undead. Costume director Heather Nielson went all out with this show. Each mourner looked authentically mournful in various shades of black and gray with a few pops of color in the dead football player’s uniform and Miss Argentina.
The songs and set from Oklahoma brought back memories and nostalgia from a simpler time. Bruce and Sara Theel were comforting in “The Farmer and the Cowman” and the entire cast shined in the intricate footwork of Doria’s choreography.
The night ended in laughs with Shrek the Musical. “What’s Up Duloc?” had the entire audience in tears with Shawn Butterbach’s performance as Lord Farquaad. I had to go home and watch that part in the movie and decided that nope, Best of Broadway did it better! Again, the costumes and choreography were on point!
Director Emily Vorlicky credits guest choreographer Amanda Tannous for creating the vibe, saying the rehearsals were “hysterical” and a “personal favorite.”
It would be remiss to not mention the lovely and talented emcee, Gina Pontarolo. Although she didn’t sing a note, her costume changes and witty introductions kept the show moving at a perky pace. Did you see her Beetlejuice suit?! Not many people can pull off vertical stripes like that!
As I chatted with the directors, I was struck with how grateful they were to be home, or that is onstage. Emily said that cast and crew who were around in 2020 experienced the devastation of being canceled hours before opening night, but says, “We all pulled through as a family and I could not be more proud.”
Board president Carla Dollar says they are “so thankful for a community that has incredible talent and one that supports the arts. It was a true gift to be able to perform this year!”
They are also so complimentary of each other, praising Rikki Bird for being a new director, Emily for being the heart and soul of BOB, Doria for her vision and talent, and Mikayla for her creativity in bringing new and innovative shows and ideas to stage. I really got the sense of the love and mutual respect they share for each other and the whole Broadway family. Bravo my friends, Bravo!
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