By Ashleigh Fielding | posted on August 25, 2017
FOR a concert thrown together in a matter of weeks, The Magic of Musicals was a stunning showcase of local talent.
Albany Light Opera and Theatre Company decided to host The Magic of Musicals after circumstances beyond their control led to the production of their scheduled show Stepping Out being cancelled.
Determined to keep their fans happy and fill the gap between Sound of Music and ALOTCo’s next major project, Little Shop of Horrors in May 2018, The Magic of Musicals was borne by directors Anne Davidson and Donna Markovic.
Renowned songs from famous musicals were combined to create a collaboration concert to remember.
Airell Hodgkinson’s undeniably incredible voice shot tingles down spines, with his performance of Anthem from the musical Chess being, in the words of MC Andrew Wenzel, no less than ‘anthemic’.
The Staude sisters sang Hushabye Mountain from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to absolute perfection, with beautiful melodies.
Carmen Fasolo again proved her leading-lady status with a gorgeous rendition of Climb Every Mountain from Sound of Music, and later changed to a sultry tune from Showboat.
The concert included other spectacular songs from Kiss Me Kate, Annie Get Your Gun, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret, Sunset Boulevard, Oliver, The King and I, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, Matilda and Grease.
The concert drew to a close with two numbers from the show-stopping Les Miserables.
James Turner led a heart-wrenching performance of Bring Him Home, with Todd McGregor and John Locke leading the ensemble with Do You Hear the People Sing.
The Magic of Musicals concert was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and one I wish was available on CD!
