Broadway Stage Meets the Silver Screen
Songs so great they have been on Broadway and in films are featured in the season opening concert on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 7:30 p.m. The Orchestra of Southern Utah is teaming up with local vocalists, Canyon View High Orchestra, and Cedar Valley Community Theater actors and dancers to create a memorable evening. Tickets are available at myosu.org.
As part of America250 the orchestra is exploring “America’s Playlist” featuring iconic songs and other American compositions. "This joyful music has become an international sensation," said Harold Shirley, OSU President.
SUU Theater Professor Richard Bugg reprises Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof as he speculates about life in “If I Was a Rich Man”. He directs the American Crossroads Theatre. The Canyon View High School Orchestra under the direction of Will Zeller joins OSU for this Broadway favorite. The CVHS orchestra will also perform an Over the Rainbow medley.
Illyra Joseph and Conner Thornton celebrate high school romance with “You’re the One That I Want" from Grease. "You Can't Stop the Beat" from Hairspray is another musical based on American high school.
Melinda Pfundstein has been in numerous Utah Shakespeare Festival productions such as My Fair Ladyand Winter’s Tale. She teams up with Kristin Briggs for “Defying Gravity” from Wicked. Kristin teaches at SUU and most recently played the lead in Carmen.
Shellee Younkin, OSU Education Director joins forces with Justin Olsen, Kennedy McCuistion, and the CVCT ensemble for “Seasons of Love” from Rent.
King George thought that America would return to his fold after the revolution. The cheeky song “You’ll Be Back” from Hamilton will be sung by Brandon Burk. He has extensive theater experience and helps direct the InterMountain Performing Arts Conservatory.
West Side Story with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim transported the romance of Romeo and Juliet to the upper west side of Manhattan in 1957. It was a groundbreaking musical and OSU’s medley of the music captures the tension and tenderness of the production.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera had over 10,000 performances on Broadway between 1988 and 2012. Based on a 1910 novel by Gaston Leroux it has mysterious and powerful music. Everyone in the orchestra has a moment with an expanded percussion section adding even more drama.
The “Symphonic Fantasy” for Mary Poppins will have your toes tapping. P. L. Travers published eight children’s books about the magical English nanny starting in 1934. Disney’s movie with Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke came out in 1964. More recently there is the film Saving Mr. Banks with Tom Hanks about the making of the Disney adaptation and a remake in 2018 with Emily Blunt.
Andrew Briggs, who was recently the lead in Carmen at SUU proclaims the “Greatest Show” with the CVCT ensemble. He directs choirs at SUU.
Carylee Zwang conducts the orchestra made up of professional musicians and dedicated amateurs. OSU concerts are at the Heritage Theater, 105 N. 100 East, in Cedar City.
Season tickets are still available for $55 for adults and $35 for students. Single concert tickets are $15.75 for adults and $10.50 for students, available at myo
su.org.
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Who: Orchestra of Southern Utah Opening Season Concert
What: Stage Meets the Silver Screen
Where: Heritage Theater, 105 N. 100 West
When: Thursday, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Why: Celebrate the music of Broadway and American film
How: Tickets available on the website: https://www.myosu.
