A Musical Extravaganza
Park Productions
Date:
27 September 2013
Venue:
Burn Park Methodist Church, Sunderland
Type of Production:
Concert
Producer / Director:
Suzy Wake
Musical Director:
Suzy Wake
Choreographers:
Nick Thompson, Katrina Wake, Suzy Wake
Review
Author: Peter Oliver
On their 21st Anniversary, Park Productions celebrated this special milestone and coming of age with “A Musical Extravaganza” featuring songs from the musicals, and sketches. The show, named after their first production held in 1992 at Park Road Church, marked how seen this society has gone from strength to strength. Although the venue has changed, the commitment and enthusiasm over the past 21 years culminating in this production, a cavalcade of songs from some of the greatest musicals from the golden age to the present day.
This is the first time in my role of Regional Representative that I have had the pleasure of attending a production from this society, and I was not disappointed. This concert showcased some of the best musical theatre songs and it certainly lived up to its title, mainly due to the talent within the society.
The programme started with a full chorus number “Sing” before moving into medley of music from the “The Sound of Music”, ending with a duet song by Nick Thompson and Katrina Wake “I Am Sixteen Going On Seventeen”, which they performed beautifully together.
Music from the 1969 American Musical “Sweet Charity” next, and featured soloist Suzy Wake in her number “Big Spender” before ending the section with the whole chorus singing “Rhythm of life”, which had the audience singing and clapping.
“Oliver!” was the next musical to feature in the programme, and here Janet Logan, Kathleen Carter, Suzy Wake ,Jim Kirkland and Katrina Wake led the chorus in “Who Will Buy?” before moving on to “Consider Yourself” and ending this section with Jim Kirkland and the chorus singing “Pick a Pocket or Two”.
The programme moved back to 1945 with a selection of songs from “Perchance to Dream” a romance with music and lyrics by Ivor Novello. Margaret Metcalf gave a moving and excellent rendition of “Love is my Reason” followed up by the whole chorus singing the classic “We’ll Gather Lilacs” in well delivered four part harmony.
The programme moved forward once again to 1985 with a rendition of songs from the musical “Les Miserables”. We saw Elma Morgan sing the moving song “I Dreamed a Dream” followed by Olivia Knowles taking the stage for “On My Own” before the whole company ended the first half with “Do You Hear the People Sing?”
The second half opened with the whole chorus singing “No Business Like Show Business” from “Annie get your Gun”, followed by Mollie Miller taking to the stage to sing “They Say It’s Wonderful”.
Next featured a number originally sung by Judy Garland in the musical “Meet Me In St Louis”, “The Trolley Song”, again sung by the whole chorus, before moving onto the cast performing “Singing in the Rain”. from “Little Nellie Kelly”. This was well delivered, and the cast appeared to enjoy the choreographed routine.
The next section was dedicated to “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat”. The chorus sang “Any Dream Will Do” before soloist Jack Wake played on trumpet an excellent rendition of “Potiphar’s Song” followed by Suzy Wake singing a moving edition of “Close Every Door to Me”.
“My Fair Lady” was next with the chorus singing “With a Little Bit of Luck” and “Get Me to the Church On Time” before June Whitfield gave a strong performance of “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and Kathleen Carter singing a beautiful rendition of “I Could Have Danced all Night”
The evening ended with two numbers from “Mamma Mia”. Janet Logan led the chorus with “Dancing Queen” and the night ended with the full ensemble singing “Thank You For The Music”. A special note to the remaining cast Nicole Kelly, Joan Hardy and Joyce Howe who supported the soloists in making this a remarkable evening.
During the evening the musical numbers were broken up with sketches which worked really well, and gave the younger members the opportunity to showcase their acting ability.
The set was simple but tastefully decorated, and there were some good choreographed pieces to support the numbers. At times the sound volume of the performers could have done with being a little louder compared with the backing tracks used, but the enthusiasm and the audience appreciation certainly made a pleasant evening.
The evening ended with the presentation of several long service awards.
Well Done Park Productions, and I would personally like to wish the Societies Management Officials, Committee and Members all the best for the next 21 years. Well Done.
Park Productions
Date:
27 September 2013
Venue:
Burn Park Methodist Church, Sunderland
Type of Production:
Concert
Producer / Director:
Suzy Wake
Musical Director:
Suzy Wake
Choreographers:
Nick Thompson, Katrina Wake, Suzy Wake
Review
Author: Peter Oliver
On their 21st Anniversary, Park Productions celebrated this special milestone and coming of age with “A Musical Extravaganza” featuring songs from the musicals, and sketches. The show, named after their first production held in 1992 at Park Road Church, marked how seen this society has gone from strength to strength. Although the venue has changed, the commitment and enthusiasm over the past 21 years culminating in this production, a cavalcade of songs from some of the greatest musicals from the golden age to the present day.
This is the first time in my role of Regional Representative that I have had the pleasure of attending a production from this society, and I was not disappointed. This concert showcased some of the best musical theatre songs and it certainly lived up to its title, mainly due to the talent within the society.
The programme started with a full chorus number “Sing” before moving into medley of music from the “The Sound of Music”, ending with a duet song by Nick Thompson and Katrina Wake “I Am Sixteen Going On Seventeen”, which they performed beautifully together.
Music from the 1969 American Musical “Sweet Charity” next, and featured soloist Suzy Wake in her number “Big Spender” before ending the section with the whole chorus singing “Rhythm of life”, which had the audience singing and clapping.
“Oliver!” was the next musical to feature in the programme, and here Janet Logan, Kathleen Carter, Suzy Wake ,Jim Kirkland and Katrina Wake led the chorus in “Who Will Buy?” before moving on to “Consider Yourself” and ending this section with Jim Kirkland and the chorus singing “Pick a Pocket or Two”.
The programme moved back to 1945 with a selection of songs from “Perchance to Dream” a romance with music and lyrics by Ivor Novello. Margaret Metcalf gave a moving and excellent rendition of “Love is my Reason” followed up by the whole chorus singing the classic “We’ll Gather Lilacs” in well delivered four part harmony.
The programme moved forward once again to 1985 with a rendition of songs from the musical “Les Miserables”. We saw Elma Morgan sing the moving song “I Dreamed a Dream” followed by Olivia Knowles taking the stage for “On My Own” before the whole company ended the first half with “Do You Hear the People Sing?”
The second half opened with the whole chorus singing “No Business Like Show Business” from “Annie get your Gun”, followed by Mollie Miller taking to the stage to sing “They Say It’s Wonderful”.
Next featured a number originally sung by Judy Garland in the musical “Meet Me In St Louis”, “The Trolley Song”, again sung by the whole chorus, before moving onto the cast performing “Singing in the Rain”. from “Little Nellie Kelly”. This was well delivered, and the cast appeared to enjoy the choreographed routine.
The next section was dedicated to “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat”. The chorus sang “Any Dream Will Do” before soloist Jack Wake played on trumpet an excellent rendition of “Potiphar’s Song” followed by Suzy Wake singing a moving edition of “Close Every Door to Me”.
“My Fair Lady” was next with the chorus singing “With a Little Bit of Luck” and “Get Me to the Church On Time” before June Whitfield gave a strong performance of “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and Kathleen Carter singing a beautiful rendition of “I Could Have Danced all Night”
The evening ended with two numbers from “Mamma Mia”. Janet Logan led the chorus with “Dancing Queen” and the night ended with the full ensemble singing “Thank You For The Music”. A special note to the remaining cast Nicole Kelly, Joan Hardy and Joyce Howe who supported the soloists in making this a remarkable evening.
During the evening the musical numbers were broken up with sketches which worked really well, and gave the younger members the opportunity to showcase their acting ability.
The set was simple but tastefully decorated, and there were some good choreographed pieces to support the numbers. At times the sound volume of the performers could have done with being a little louder compared with the backing tracks used, but the enthusiasm and the audience appreciation certainly made a pleasant evening.
The evening ended with the presentation of several long service awards.
Well Done Park Productions, and I would personally like to wish the Societies Management Officials, Committee and Members all the best for the next 21 years. Well Done.