Theater and film collide in St. George Musical Theater’s rousing, toe-tapping production, “Best of Broadway: Movie Musical Magic!” Director Bruce Bennett (who also serves as SGMT’s executive director) knows a thing or two about theater, film, and musicals, so he was a logical choice to helm this spirited show. And throughout this brisk, intermission-less production, his genuine affection for musicals comes through loud and clear.
Of course, Bennett gets a major assist in the form of gifted music director Chrissy Rogers and accomplished choreographer Becky Reed. Both of these artists are great at what they do, and it certainly shows in the finished product. And this is to say nothing of the live band (a tricky proposition in of itself) and a wonderfully committed technical team.
All of that said, a show like this can’t exist without a multitude of dedicated, musically-inclined talent, and “Best of Broadway: Movie Musical Magic!” offers up some of southern Utah’s brightest in the form of Aaron Barnum, Ellie Bearden, Mike Bearden, Landon Boyce, McKenna Bowler, Sherlynn Davis, Ashton Een, Emmerson Een, Katie Gardner, Harper Griffith, Sloane Griffith, Savannah Johanson, Angela LeBaron, Jordan LeBaron, Alissa Meyer, Tazia Murie, Saffron Peterson, Hollie Reina, Karly Snow, Joel Thomas, Adyson Uzelac, and Enoch Weaver. All of these wonderful performers do their best to entertain enthusiastic theater-in-the-round audiences multiple nights a week.
As for the show itself, “Best of Broadway: Movie Musical Magic!” isn’t your typical community theater play. This isn’t a straightforward stage production, meaning it doesn’t have a traditional beginning, middle, and end. It’s more of a loose collection of musical numbers strung together in high energy fashion. To find the proper ebb and flow in a production of this nature is no easy task, but the creative team behind “Best of Broadway” do a terrific job of keeping the pace moving briskly from one number to the next all while finding plenty of time to slow things down and unload the showstopping musical ballads you’re expecting.
So what selections have Bennett and crew chosen to include in the name of your grand entertainment? Well, to name them all here would do “Best of Broadway” a disservice but of the 15 plus musicals represented, here are a few highlights;
“Falling Slowly” from “Once”
I freely admit that this is a sentimental choice, because “Once” just so happens to be my favorite movie musical of the last 20 years. I would have been happy with four or five numbers from this tale of an Irish street musician and the sweet-natured muse who inspires him, but “Falling Slowly” proves to be a strong choice. At the very least, this is certainly the signature ballad from “Once,” and Joel Thomas and Angela LeBaron bring warmth and heart to a moving duet made famous by gifted songsters Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.
“All That Jazz” from “Chicago”
First and foremost, Tazia Murie is a beast, and I mean that as the highest form of flattery. To say she has range would be a gross understatement, and she displays that range multiple times throughout this entire production. Murie headlines an outstanding rendition of “All That Jazz,” and she’s supported by a handful of talented backup dancers and vocalists. This sultry number is sexy without crossing the line, and yes, there’s plenty of jazz hands to go around.
“Hair” from “Hair”
Joel Thomas and Jordon LeBaron let their freak flag fly in an amusing and infectiously likable rendition of “Hair” from the ’60s-inspired musical of the same name. Thomas and LeBaron have terrific chemistry here, and this particular number is absolutely grin-inducing. Adding to the appropriate ’60s atmosphere are a plethora of spacey flower children dancers and a collection of trippy psychedelic images playing throughout the number in the background. In short … groovy, baby.
“Stayin’ Alive” from “Saturday Night Fever”
Mike Bearden has a ton of fun belting out a tune made famous by the Bee Gees, and while his playful demeanor and colorful, ’70s dance club wardrobe are absolutely worth pointing out, what really takes this sequence to the next level is a tap-dancing ode to a disco-era essential. I adore “Saturday Night Fever,” and this is a fresh, undeniably creative spin on a classic.
“Ticket to Ride” from “Help”
This one is sunny and adorable, and it’s elevated by the charming teaming of Tazia Murie and Aaron Barnum as a lovable motorist and the unpredictably animated police officer who pulls her over. This simple but winning sketch is set to the iconic Beatles tune, “Ticket to Ride.” Even if you’re not a Beatles fan (who in their right mind isn’t a Beatles fan?!), this number is sure to bring a smile to your face.
Again, there are plenty of other winning numbers to speak of in this show, but you’re best off not knowing what they are beforehand. True, there’s probably a song or two that could have been omitted, and honestly, it would have been great to see a little “Moulin Rouge” and “The Blues Brothers” in there, but you know what they say: Too many musicals and not nearly enough time.
In the end, this is a wonderfully lively show. Even the youngster three seats down from me was dancing and cheering through large stretches of the production, and if that isn’t the highest form of praise, then I don’t know what is.
SGMT continues to do community theater proud, and “Best of Broadway: Movie Musical Magic!” is yet another prime example of why what they do is so vital to southern Utah. Come on out to the opera house and see what all the fuss is about. Buy your tickets soon, though, because there’s only a handful of shows left and the final performances are likely to sell out.
You can catch “Best of Broadway: Movie Musical Magic!” at 7:30 p.m. March 29, 30, and 31 and April 2, 5, 6, and 7. For ticket information, click here.!
Up next for SGMT is “Guys and Dolls” directed by Kyle Myrick April 26–May 26.
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