BROADWAY'S RISING STARS at TOWN HALL
The second installment of the Summer Broadway Festival, "Broadway's Rising Stars," where recent college grads will sing for our supper, sounded at first like a low-expense filler sandwiched between the more prestigious "Night at the Operetta" and "All Singin' All Dancin'."
Since the songs chosen lacked any thematic or historical motif, the night resembled the impact of "Broadway Unplugged," where Broadway performers sing off-mic any songs of their choosing. Surprisingly, two songs were performed off-mic tonight. And Siegel's hosting/commentary, which usually consists of historical facts and info, instead served to introduce each performer, usually by listing what his/her first show was (Annie, Wizard of Oz, ect).
I'd group the kinds of material performed into three categories:
1. well-worn showtune classics ("Till There Was You," "Don't Rain on My Parade," "Mr. Snow")
2. rarities ("Maybe I Like It This Way," "What'll I Do?," "New Man")
3. songs from shows now on Broadway or touring (""Wicked," "Millie," "Phantom," "Mary Poppins")
Had I been performing tonight, I would have performed something from a show now on Broadway or touring, especially since casting agents attended the show tonight. The rarities were nice to hear, but those who chose to sing well-known songs were at a big disadvantage. Take "Don't Rain on My Parade." Not only is that song attached to the Streisand label, it's been heard CONSTANTLY on the Town Hall stage alone.
I feared at first that tonight would be something along the lines of a college grad showcase, and in its weaker moments, it did feel like that. But about halfway through Act One, a new energy invaded the production, the production values increased, and more and more ensemble staging showed up in what could have otherwise been straightforward solo songs. I am not going to individually grade/criticize each performer, but on the whole they presented great enthusiasm and vocal strength, often bringing great acting chops too to the songs.
One final thought before I proceed with the running order: Why did they close with "Our Time" from MERRILY? And for that matter, why do so many of these kinds of events showing off youngsters end with that song? Sure, it's a haunting, beautiful song, a paean to unbridled positivity and optimism. But let's remember how it's used in MERRILY: it's an ironic, depressing reminder of how the main characters later lost their way. For that reason, I always feel depressed when I hear the song, even out of context.
Anyhow, here is the running order:
Act One
I'm the Greatest Star (FG) - Company
Waiting for Life (Once on This Island) - Stacie Greenwall
Younger than Springtime (SP) - Jared Weiss
Till There Was You (MM) Stephanie Barnum
Writing on the Wall (Edwin Drood) - Paige Hutchison
Think of Me (Phantom) - Sara Sawyer
They Can't Take That Away from Me (Gershwin) - Justin McConnaughy
Sailing (A New Brain) - Michael August
Mister Snow (Carousel) - Lauren Marcus
Dancing Through Life (Wicked) - Mike Cruz and Natalie Hall
Maybe I Like It This Way (Wild Party, Lippa) - Laura d'Andre
Gimme Gimme (Millie) - Dayna Grayber
Beauty School Dropout (Gypsy) - Chris DeCristo
Act Two
The Man That Got Away - Erica Jacob
Love, Look Away - Elizabeth Daniels
Practically Perfect (MP) - Katie Babb and Jared Weiss
New Man (Grind) - Reggie Headon
14g - Natalie Hall
Le Jazz Hot (Victor/Victoria) - Darcie Champagne
As Long As He Needs Me (Oliver) - Kirby Burgess
What'll I Do? - Stehpen Bel Davies
Don't Rain On My Parade (FG) - Abby Baum
Proud of Your Boy - Alex Arroyo
Our Time (Merrily) - Company
