SAXTONS RIVER — Now approaching its 28th year, Main Street Arts (MSA) will be presenting its “Blue Broadway Cabaret” at its theater on 35 Main St. on Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
“Blue Broadway” celebrates the range and vitality of the Broadway musical with some special attention to shows performed on MSA's stage and by its touring theater company. This musical review is part of the area's “Blue Lights” celebration that has been running the entire month of February.
At “Blue Broadway” veterans of past Main Street Arts shows will be reprising performance pieces from some of the best loved MSA shows such as Les Miserables, Gilbert & Sullivan's Gondoliers, Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate, Edwin Drood, and the recent touring production of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well.
In addition, performers will be singing several of their personal favorites ranging from classic Broadway standards such Cabaret, The Sound of Music, and Oliver to slightly edgier pieces from Sweeny Todd and Young Frankenstein.
According to Director David Stern, “This is a real showcase of the range of vocal talent that Main Street Arts has assembled in recent years. I think people know MSA well enough to know that we care deeply about putting together high quality shows. At the 'Blue Broadway Cabaret,' we get a chance to focus in on some of the individual talent that goes into making those productions stand out.”
One of the performers, Michael Duffin, noted that the show is part of Saxtons River's “Blue February” promotion, which is the village's attempt to encourage everyone in the region to fight cabin fever by making a special effort to get out and about during the month.
Duffin said, “We are all vulnerable to 'The Febs.' What better cure is there than sharing some quality music with friends and neighbors? At our 'Blue Broadway Cabaret' we will have people singing music they're passionate about and that should make it a great evening. I guarantee that great music combined with the warm intimate setting that is Main Street Arts will help you forget about the weather for an hour and a half.”
Stern notes that while “Blue Broadway Cabaret” is intended to be both a great show on its own, it also serves as an important fundraiser for MSA's upcoming March production of Bat Boy, the Musical. The entire theater is being subtly transformed into a cavern located somewhere in the Appalachian countryside in preparation.