Great Local Shows - Theatrical Reviews
Title |
Broadway at Sierra 2014 |
Organization |
Sierra College Foundation |
Date(s) of show |
July 11 - July 20, 2014 |
Reviewer |
Letha Dawson |
Review |
Broadway at Sierra 2014,
as Ed Sullivan used to say, is a really big show. This Sierra College
production is a course in Broadway theatre with over two hours of great
numbers selected from Broadway’s heyday up to the present. If you like
Broadway, you’ll love this show.
Sam Williams gets the entertainment off to a quick-paced start with
eye-catching, interesting dances performed with grace and flair. The
ensemble and chorus are strong and fill the house over and over again,
as when the chorus sings “I Hope I Get It,” from A Chorus Line,
and “Mame,” from Mame, by Jerry Herman. The quantity of
production numbers with costume changes and dance routines is
astounding.
Because Broadway at Sierra 2014 is so filled with talented
performers, the few I am about to mention are representative of the
whole company’s effort and strength: Don Roberts brings Cabaret
to life with his robust rendition of “Willkommen”; Tyler Jerome Thompson
delivers a lively, high-stepping “Seventy-six Trombones,” from The
Music Man, and Jennifer Estabrook sings perfectly “I Could Have
Danced All Night,” from My Fair Lady. Sidney Raey-Gonzales
delivers a stunning rendition of “Let it Go,” from Frozen.
There are several hilarious numbers such as: “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” from
Young Frankenstein, by Mel Brooks, performed by Steve Estabrook,
Tyler Jerome Thompson, Adam Weber, and Amy Wolfley. Another
laugh-out-loud number is “Dentist!” from Little Shop of Horrors,
acted and sung by Rikki Pratt, Jenny Richardson, Candice Szczepankowski,
Vivian Szczepankowski, and Tyler Jerome Thompson. Andrew Fiffick,
projection operator, transported us to an icy land far away during the
number from Frozen; and under a bubbling ocean for the number
from The Little Mermaid. Thoren Tivol and Fred Weber, producers,
bring to life a great show this year, enhanced by musical director, Ray
Ashton, choreographers, Sam Williams and Amy Wolfley, and music
arranger, Fred Weber. The creativity of the group who developed the
organization of all these individual songs into a coherent revue
deserves mention. Loud applause to: Adam Weber, Sidney Raey-Gonzales,
Guy Pilgram, and Ray Ashton. All cast and crew members created a great
show. Don’t miss it. |
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