PACE Musical Theatre has updated the repertoire for its spring 2017 show, appropriately named, ItB次元官网网址檚 a Musical.
Compositions from movie musicals and hit Broadway shows from the past 10 to 12 years have been packed into one revue, to be performed by roughly 300 actors in grades K to 12 for eight shows at the Isabelle Reader Theatre starting tomorrow (April 21).
B次元官网网址淭he biggest challenge was Hamilton,B次元官网网址� PACE artistic director Sandra Webster-Worthy said, referring to the record-setting historical musical that hit Broadway in 2015. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 hip-hop rap and very complex musically, but the kids have embraced it and done a wonderful job.B次元官网网址�
The winner of 11 Tony Awards in 2016 is just one show that has provided some teachable moments for Webster-Worthy, who also acts as hands-on director for each show staged by this Sooke School District theatre program.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a Musical borrows songs from the acclaimed new Canadian musical Come From Away, which tells of how the people of Gander, NL opened their homes and their hearts to more than 6,000 passengers and crew on 39 commercial jetliners diverted there during 9/11.
B次元官网网址淭he music is tremendous, and people have to keep in mind that (few) of the kids in the show were born when it occurred,B次元官网网址� Webster-Worthy said. B次元官网网址淭his is a real teaching opportunity as to what actually happened that day.B次元官网网址�
The PACE production, which has given the young performers a taste of Newfoundland culture, is backdropped during these numbers by live-action video from the scene.
Other shows which provide musical scenes for the Langford production include Something Rotten B次元官网网址� Webster-Worthy describes it as a combination of Spamalot meets Shakespeare, great for the Monty Python fans in the crowd B次元官网网址� as well as Jersey Boys and the more recent La La Land and Trolls.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a very challenging show,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e did not pick easy music, but it is current and topical and weB次元官网网址檝e covered a lot of ground.B次元官网网址�
PACE is designed to play to the childrenB次元官网网址檚 talents, that is, the four and five year olds learn age appropriate songs and choreography. That said, Webster-Worthy and her crew try to give them a challenge to reach for each time out. The veterans among the cast B次元官网网址� a handful of Grade 12 students have been with PACE since kindergarten B次元官网网址� have been exposed a huge cross-section of music and styles in that time.
Many graduates of PACE go on to bigger and better things, like Webster-WorthyB次元官网网址檚 son, Calum Worthy. The former cast member of The Disney ChannelB次元官网网址檚 Austin and Alley comedy series, now 26, has built an impressive screen resume that includes numerous movie and TV credits.
As per his annual tradition, Calum is flying from his home in Los Angeles on Friday to be part of the PACE spring musical this weekend. HeB次元官网网址檒l emcee the show and be on hand for a meet and greet to sign autographs and be in photos at the theatre for 30 minutes before each performance.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a Musical performances go at 7 p.m. April 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29, while 2 p.m. matinees happen April 22, 23 and 29. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, available at Westshore Centre for Learning, 2139 Sooke Rd., or by reservation at 250-391-9002. All performances are at the Isabelle Reader Theatre, 1026 Goldstream Ave.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
