Thursday Dec 15, 2005 Subscribe Take It Online: Welcome Rick Ash Your Posts LOG OUT Go What's This? 'Girls on Broadway' take the stage at Strom By Heather Manning Email this story to a friend Printer-friendly Format Add your comments Send Letter to Editor Archive Search Go Advanced Search FIVE TOWNS (March 30, 2001): Not often does one get the chance to attend a rendition of a rousing Broadway show, especially in the midcoast. Fortunately, for all of us, on Friday and Saturday night the public will get the opportunity to do just that. "Girls on Broadway," a student-produced, student-directed and studentperformed collection of show tunes set to dance numbers, will be take the stage at 7:30 p.m. both nights at the Strom Auditorium at Camden Hills Regional High School. Recent Supplements All Supplements Other News Arts & Entertainment Births Business and Services Community Education Government Guest Column Obituaries Organization Real Estate Sports/Outdoors The cast of "Girls on Broadway." Page 1 of 5
Performed by 12 highly-talented high school girls, the show was choreographed and directed entirely by Camden Hills senior Kristi Williamson. The full cast includes: Erin Currier, Laura Currier, Christine DeMichele, Betsy Perlmutter, Nicki Sideris, Anna Sideris, Laura Gross, Nicole Hart, Whitney Blethen, Carolyn Harris, and Kea Tesseyman. The show consists of seven songs, followed by an intermission, and then finishing with an additional six songs. The collection captures the magic of a large Broadway production, and the talent of the performers carries the song and dance with ease. It is truly an enjoyable show for all ages. From the rousing full-cast opening number "Weilcommen" from the show "Cabaret," to the poignant solo "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from "Evita" the show encompasses a variety of styles. Colorful attire, white gloves and lots of smiles await theater goers from the "Girls on Broadway." "We tried to fit all of Broadway on to one little stage," said Williamson. The mood of the show is set in the opening number when the heavy curtains are drawn away to reveal a full cast in position. The girls, wearing all black dance outfits with black high heels, stick out against a shimmering gold background. And thus you are welcomed to the show. Senior Ben Brodis, the Master of Ceremonies, takes on the role of giving the "Weilcommen" to the public. In between his bellows in a French accent, the cast begins a glitzy song and dance. And the show is off to a wonderful start. Following the song from "Cabaret" is a solo performance by Kristi Williamson singing "Broadway Baby" from "Follies." "At the Ballet" follows this from "A Chorus Line," sung by Whitney Blethen, Christine DeMichele, and Laura Currier, with Nicole Hart performing the graceful moves of the accompanying ballet. Page 2 of 5
What's a girl to do when she's showered with expensive gifts and she's not that kind of girl? In "Take Back Your Mink," the ensemble attempts to answer that very question. Betsey Perlmutter sings a solo of "Maybe This Time" from "Cabaret" followed by a half-cast rendition of "Heaven Hop" from "Anything Goes." Whitney Blethen follows with "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from "Evita," then a half-cast rendition of "Big Spender" from "Sweet Charity." The costumes of the show are at times appropriately simple, and at times splashy. In "At The Ballet" Nicole Hart's red skirt blazes against the black outfits of the singers as they reminisce over happy times spent at "the ballet." In "Big Spender" the six performers wear glitzy dresses as they strut and sing the playfully seductive song. There is talent abound in this production. "Girls on Broadway" does not have set "singers" and "dancers" like some shows. Instead the entire cast both sings and dances, usually simultaneously. Ever wonder what kind of dance would be done in Heaven? In "Heaven Hop," Kristi Williamson (center) takes the girls through a wonderful rendition of just that. "This auditorium has allowed myself and these girls a chance to really explore our potential as performers and the potential of theater," said Williamson. Page 3 of 5
It is also remarkable that the show is student directed by Williamson, with cooperation and input from the cast. "The cast has worked so hard and been so cooperative," said Williamson. "Ben Brodis and the girls throughout the project have had just the greatest attitude and given me so much inspiration." In the second half of the production the audience is given a full cast performance of "Magic To Do" from "Pippin", then a solo of "Summertime" from "Porgy and Bess," sung by Laura Currier. A half-cast rendition of "Take Back Your Mink" from "Guys and Dolls" followed by a solo of Christine DeMichele singing "Tell Me On a Sunday" from "Song and Dance." "All That Jazz" from "Chicago" is sung by a full cast lead by Kristi Williamson, finishing off the show with another full cast production of "What I Did For Love" from "A Chorus Line." The stars on Broadway. This amazing show will leave you fully entertained, duly impressed, and singing show tunes in the shower for days afterward. It is simply a must-see. "When I was putting together the show and I realized how many talented girls we have at the school, that's when the title came to me: "Girls on Broadway," said Williamson. "I felt it was important to highlight specific women artists because I wanted to give a well-rounded view of the impact certain women have had on Broadway." Accompaniment: Piano Ruth Gelsinger; synthesizer: John McKean; drums: Tony Shay and bass guitar: Clint Hartzell. From left: Whitney Blethen, Laura Currier, Christine DeMichele, John McKean and Kristi Williamson practice Page 4 of 5
one of the shows numbers. "John has been there since the beginning," said Williamson. "Without his musical talent and all his help, this show would not have happened." (Photos by Chris Wolf) Heather Manning, who wrote this article for k2bh, is a senior at Camden Hills and would like to persue a career in journalism upon graduation. The Camden.k2Bh.com news staff can be reached at 236-8468 or by email at news@k2bh.com. "I want to give a special thanks to (choreography mentor) Annie Laurita," said Williamson. "She guided me along and helped me through the tough parts. I appreciated every moment we had together. She was truly an inspiration." Stage Crew -- Technical Director: Kirk Newcombe; set construction: Ray Williamson; lights: Johan Churchill and Chris Hooper; sound: Ethan Courand; backstage Justin Fernands and Ben Door; costumes: Ann Williamson, Ree Wells and Heidi Hart. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Strom Auditorium at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport. Tickets are $5 for seniors and students and $7 for adults at the door. Email this story to a friend Printer-friendly Format Add your comments Send Letter to Editor SUBSCRIBE SERVICES ENROLL ADVERTISE CREW CONTACT ABOUT Page 5 of 5