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As
a self-important arts journalist, I feel that it is my sacred duty
to bring the masses' attention to some of our lesser known groups,
in order to promote and encourage our youngs artistes, help build
the culturally vibrant society that our government is preaching
about, and also to earn myself some journalistic cred. Thus, it
is my pleasure to introduce: The Musical Theatre!
The
Musical Theatre is founded by a group of musical and opera enthusiasts.
It stages concerts and productions of well-known musicals and operas.
June 20th will mark a significant day as it unveils its maiden production:
A revue of Stephen Sondheim songs. Other productions in the
works are a revue of opera arias, to be held at the Esplanade concert
hall in October, and a possible Christmas concert of Baroque music.
I asked
president of the com pany and the Sondheim's producer, Miss Grace
Ng, why they chose Sondheim for such a significant event. "Sondheim
is one of the greatest geniuses in musical theatre. He is different
from other big shots like Rogers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Lowe,
in that he writes really witty lyrics, and is one of the few who
writes and composes.
We
chose to pay tribute to Sondheim, for our maiden production, as
it is a name that is familiar to many musical fans and thus will
make a big announcement of our birth as a musical theatre company."
Grace
and director Jeremy Samuel, in the press release, promise that the
show will be "a world of dramatic divas, ingenious ingenues
and stage-door johnnies, all dreaming of their not-far-off moment
of stardom."
Along
with great dancing, sets and costumes, Grace and Jeremy also promises
favourites from "Send in the Clowns, I Feel Pretty, Losing
My Mind and Bei ng Alive , as we explore The Glamorous Life of showbiz,
and our dreams of it being Our Time to turn into a Broadway Baby.
To paraphrase an immortal line from Gypsy, 'let us entertain you'."
The
production is further aided by a cast of Lynn Ang, Christie Chua,
Windson Liong, Gavin Low, Alvin Koh, Serene Tan, Yin Mei Lenden-Hitchcock,
Marianne Tan, Elaine Teo. Not exactly stage veterans but nonetheless
have frequently made their mark on the Singapore stage.
Tickets at $12 ($10 for YMCA members, hostel guests and ASA members)
may be obtained at the YMCA Member Services Counter from 10 am -
10 pm (Mon to Fri) and 10 am - 6 pm (Sat). The counter is closed
on Sundays.
Steven
Ang swears he did not receive any bribes for this article.
To
respond to this article, please post your comments to classical@inkpot.com
23.9.2002ŠJ Barry D.
Steben
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