The Citrus Singers perform a “Top of the Charts” medley in the first act of the show. The second act featured songs from classic plays like “Singin’ in the Rain” and “Wicked.” (Photo courtesy of: Gene Berrera
The Visual and Performing Arts Department delivered a performance that both young and old would appreciate.
With musical numbers from “The Book of Mormon” to “Singin’ in the Rain,” there was a wide range of Broadway hits to appeal to all at the Citrus Singers 2016 Broadway show May 14 in the Haugh Performing Arts Center.
The first act featured performances from more contemporary plays, such as “The Book of Mormon,” “Sister Act” and “Rent.” The second act featured musical numbers from classic plays like “Singin’ in the Rain,” “The Wiz,” “West Side Story” and “Wicked.”
From the opening musical number “A Musical” from the play “Something Rotten,” performed by Citrus singers John McGavin and Steven Federoff, the audience was captivated by the music, choreography and comedy of the duo.
In the second number of the show, the Citrus women entertained the audience with their take on “Bless Our Show” from the comedy musical “Sister Act.”
The transitions were smooth, even with multiple wardrobe changes between each performance. Every performer took the stage for multiple performances.
“Hello!” from “The Book of Mormon” was one of the more memorable performances of the night, a performance that would have “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who also wrote the play, smiling.
The vocals of the talented Citrus Singers were a perfect compliment to the orchestra, conducted by Alan Waddington. The audience was delighted with seamless dancing and acting, setting the scenes and having the plays come alive on stage. The performers executed John Vaughan and Renee Liskey’s choreography to perfection.
The first act also featured a medley assembled of songs by American composer Stephen Sondheim who wrote “Into The Woods,” “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” and “Anyone Can Whistle.” The medley was performed by Edward Little, Audrey Conte, Andrew Limon, Israel Lacy and Julia Iacopetti.
The second act began with “Broadway Melody/Broadway Rhythm” from “Singin’ in the Rain,” a performance that would have made the late great actor Gene Kelly proud. The skill of the performers, led by Micah Tangermann, was on full display, with singing and tap dancing all over the stage. It paid great homage to one of the most beloved musicals of all time.
The audience had a laugh at the comedic number “Coffee In A Cardboard Cup” from “And the World Goes Around.” The song humorously shed light on the people that struggle to function without the help of coffee.
The second act continued with a moving performance of “Anthem” from the play “Chess,” sung by the Citrus men.
Jenna Minor, Paige Lockhart, Carly O’Neill, Emily Pinkus, Kelly Grandmaison, Ashley Miller, Iacopetti and Molnar charmed the crowd with their performance of “Broadway Baby” from the musical “Follies.”
The show concluded with musical numbers from the play “A Chorus Line,” where the Citrus Singers delivered a heartfelt performance of “One.”
Afterwards, the Citrus Singers announced to the audience they will perform in New York, the Philippines and China this year.
The veteran third-year Citrus Singers who will move on from Citrus came together in the middle of the stage to close the show. The group, consisting of Delia Trear, Taylor Barbata, Grandmaison, Little, Federoff, O’Neill, Molnar and Iacopetti performed an emotional version of “For Good” from the musical “Wicked” as their peers looked on. The Citrus Singers were lowered under the stage to a loud round of applause and cheers from the audience.
From the cheerful opening number to the emotional finale, the Broadway show was a success.
