Sterling Heights

Evening show features best bits of Broadway

By Cortney Casey
C & G Staff Writer

Forget shelling out triple-digit prices for a Broadway show; Sterling Civic Theatre’s got just the ticket close to home — for $10.

On Nov. 24, the community theater troupe will diverge from its usual production routine to put on “A Night of Broadway,” a montage of tunes culled from myriad musicals of the past and present.

Held at the city’s Recreation Center, the performance is a joint fundraiser for Sterling Civic Theatre and the Sterling Heights Parks and Recreation Department.

“This is the first time we’ve done something like this,” said Executive Producer Lyne Parziale. “Basically, the cast got to pick their favorite song from their favorite show, so it’s a variety of all different songs and all different shows from Broadway.”

The performers also developed their own choreography, she said, and most will be in costume. With around 20 musicals represented, mainly via solos and duets, she anticipates the concert will run around 90 to 120 minutes.

“I think it will appeal to anyone who likes Broadway music; anyone who likes theater, Broadway musicals, is going to like this,” said Parziale. “We have everything from ‘Les Mis’ to old things, like ‘Annie Get Your Gun,’ to ‘My Fair Lady.’”

Amanda Sayers of New Baltimore will pair her lilting southern accent — she grew up in Virginia, near the Tennessee border — with appropriate garb to sing “You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun” from “Annie Get Your Gun.”

“Obviously, the southern accent … they like to give me the southern song,” quipped Sayers, who said she’s drawing her inspiration from Reba McEntire’s version, as she grew up listening to the red-headed country star. “I’ll throw on my overalls and my straw hat. For me, it’s usually easier to be funny than serious.”

Steve Elmore of Clinton Township selected “On the Street Where You Live” from “My Fair Lady,” due to its peppy, upbeat nature. He became a fan of the song after hearing a version by one of his favorite artists, Harry Connick Jr.

Elmore said he’s never before performed in a show of this format, and he’s looking forward to giving it a whirl.

“I think it’s pretty cool,” he said. “To be part of … the initial offering of it in Sterling Heights is pretty neat.”

Parziale said the idea for the Broadway concert popped into her head during a cast party, as she watched the actors and actresses burst into showtunes. That planted the seed, which eventually developed into the fundraiser concept.

“I think it’s a great idea because so many people go to straight plays and musicals, and 90 percent of people know when you see ‘Cinderella,’ it’s the story of Cinderella — you know how it ends, you know how it begins,” said Sayers. “With this, any age group could walk in there and hear anything from a girl singing something from ‘The Little Mermaid’ to something from the 1930s.”

The Recreation Center is located inside Dodge Park at 40620 Utica Road, near Dodge Park Road. Tickets are available at the Rec Center in advance, online at www.myshpr.net or at the door. All seating is general admission. For more information, call (586) 264-5571.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Cortney Casey at ccasey@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1046.