Joshua Willis, Campus Carrier Staff Reporter
On Sept. 26, The Berry College Theatre Company will open their first show of the semester.
“A Grand Night for Singing” showcases tunes from ten different musicals and combines them to create a new story. The show will run Sept. 26- Oct. 6 at the E.H. Young Theatre with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and matinees each Sunday at 2 p.m.
At a posh wedding reception in 1950s New York, stylish guests and wait staff alike fall in and out of love to classic show tunes from time gone by. Conceived by Walter Bobbie, with music by Richard Rogers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, “A Grand Night For Singing” is set to songs from some of the duo’s most cherished musicals including “The Sound of Music,” “The King and I” and “South Pacific.” The music is almost continuous and dialogue is infrequent, so the ensemble cast relies on body language to convey all the emotions, both frivolous and serious, that come with love.
Senior Spencer Miller, who sang iconic numbers such as “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” from “Oklahoma,” said this type of performance was a challenging, yet enjoyable experience.
“I’ve done musicals before, but never a straight musical revue,” Miller said. “It’s very different. You have to put more out there because there is no dialogue; you have to convey all the character’s emotions in your face and movements, along with the music. It is definitely fun, though.”
For senior Allie Southwood, “A Grand Night for Singing” provided the perfect opportunity to be a part of beloved songs from her childhood.
“I love this musical because it has all the Rodger and Hammerstein music that I grew up with,” Southwood said. “These songs were what inspired me to go into musical theatre, so it has been a great experience to be able to perform them for an audience. Not only are these songs great, but they are also very universal, so I think a wide range of people will enjoy them and the show.”
This was true for audience member, junior April Vaughan, who found the musical to be both funny and heartwarming.
“I really like the show because it puts a twist on all the old songs I knew and loved,” Vaughan said. “Though they are classics, the songs tend to become a tad predictable and boring. The show really brought a new perspective to them and made them hilarious, sweet and really entertaining. The music is great, the sets and costumes are beautiful and the cast is very talented, so I definitely recommend that everyone sees ‘A Grand Night For Singing.’”
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. For tickets and additional information please call the Berry College Theatre Box Office at (706) 236-2263.
