The Fall River Valley Community Choir performed “One Hundred Years of Broadway” at the Mt Burney Theatre on Saturday May 6. Eighteen choir members performed a medley of 50 Broadway hits ranging from the early days of Tin Pan Alley to state-of-the-art contemporary Broadway.
Rev. Bill Myers soloing “If Ever I Would Leave You”
Don Smith directed the choir for the 45 minute review arranged by Mac Huff.
Don Smith directing the choir
Narrator Michael Kerns guided the audience through the history as he introduced each of the six sections of the review.
The performance began with an Opening featuring songs such as “Give My Regards to Broadway,” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”
Beautiful voices
The Early Years featured music from Tin Pan Alley greats such as Irving Berlin and Cole Porter.
Setting the Standards included some of the all time great hits by Rogers and Hammerstein. The Golden Years featured classics such as “Hello Dolly,” Try to Remember,” and “Seventy Six Trombones.”
Breaking New Ground rocked the hall with Stu Stoore’s soulful interpretation of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Melanie Kerns moved the audience to tears as she sang Memory written for the 1981 musical Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn.
Stu Stoore doing a solo
The historical journey concluded with State of the Art leading us into the new millennium with rousing songs such as “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord,” and “Broadway Baby.”
Then the choir concluded with a finale of more classic show tunes.
The Finale
Under the direction of Director Smith, the choir did a masterful mix of choral blending and individual performance. Laura Beyer, Melanie Kerns, Alison Maki, Candee Parker, Michael Martin, Penny Rogers, Lynn Stoore, Maggie Torres, Bill Myers, Stu Stoore, Brian Baddeley, Jean Rogers, and Tom Jones all sang solos.
What a treat! The spirit of Broadway definitely descended. Special thanks to Donna Sylvester, owner of Mt Burney Theatre, for hosting the event.
The Spirit of Broadway descends
The Fall River Valley Community Choir will give another performance of the review on May 7 at Ingram Hall in McArthur at 4 p.m. and a shortened version at the Fall River Library on May 20.
Pit River Country 