Posts Tagged ‘The King and I’

Showbiz Christchurch is staging their first traditional concert in a major theatre in 79 years. Since its establishment in 1938 (under the name Christchurch Operatic Inc), Showbiz has entertained over two million audience members with major musicals. From 26-28 May Showbiz will present a grand concert ‘An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein Classics’ at the Isaac Theatre Royal in conjunction with the renowned National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA).

Musical Director Richard Marrett will conduct An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein Classics

With a chorus of 120 singers, 14 soloists and a Broadway style orchestra – all under the musical direction of Richard Marrett – the concert will feature some of the best loved works of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II from the Golden Age of Musical Theatre, including: ‘Some Enchanted Evening’, ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Younger Than Springtime’, ‘People Will Say We’re in Love’ and ‘I have Dreamed’.

Marrett will conduct a 30 strong Broadway style orchestra made up of the city’s leading professional musicians.

Jane Leonard

The concert is proving a popular choice with young and old, and many of the chorus and soloists have fond memories of enjoying Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals with their parents or grandparents. “My mum used to sing ‘Climb Every Mountain’ to me as a lullaby when I was a little,” says 24 year old soloist soprano and chorus member Jane Leonard (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Evita, The Phantom of the Opera). “I remember putting our video of The Sound of Music on at any chance I could get, and singing and dancing along.”

Soloists Michael Bayly and Donna Alley will open the concert vocally with the aptly named “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” from State Fair. Bayly and Alley are not just singing partners on-stage, but are also partners off-stage after meeting through a shared love of musical theatre. Bayly trained in opera and performed the title role in the Showbiz 2010 production of Sweeney Todd before taking up the role of General Manager with the company. Alley performed the coveted role of Carlotta in the 2015 Showbiz season of The Phantom of the Opera.

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland trained singer Celine Rosa Tan comes to the concert with a wealth of performance experience in international musicals and television roles. She will make her Showbiz debut as part of the chorus and in a duet with Nigel Withington with a number from The King and I.

Meet the Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert Featured Soloists

Other soloists include Mezzo Sopranos Amy Bowie, Greta Casey-Solly, Dearna Doglione and Kira Josephson; Sopranos Jane Leonard and Charlotte Taylor; Baritones Nick Hollamby and Terry McCartan;  and Tenors Jack Fraser, Nigel Withington and  Blair McHugh – all who also lend their voices to the 120 strong chorus.

The orchestra will feature alongside the singers, bringing the total number of performers onstage to 150. “This promises to be a masterpiece of musical theatre in concert, on a grand scale,” says Showbiz President Markham Lee.

An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein Classics will be performed at the Isaac Theatre Royal from 26-28 May 2017.

Tickets: Ticketek.co.nz/Showbiz or 0800 842 538