The cast of Sing Hosanna!'s production of a revue of Andrew Lloyd Webber's music includes, from left, front, Mandy Kamerer, Andrea Furka, Trisha Doverspike and Rachel Creaturo, and back, Alicia Stephenson, Nathan Rockcastle and Heather Check.
Sing Hosanna! is hosting a musical revue of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classics from “Cats,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Evita,” “Phantom of the Opera” and more.
“His music is amazing and when we had the opportunity to commemorate Webber's 70th birthday, we jumped at the chance,” said director and producer Ralph Christy Jr.
The group got to pick 20 of 30 songs for the revue.
“The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber” opens March 23 at the Succop Theater on the Butler County Community College campus.
The production will include scenery, staging, costumes and choreography.”
Some of the roles in the show are triple cast throughout the run, allowing the talented cast to have a chance at various roles.
Andrea Furka of Butler Township is an English teacher by day but will be performing the role of Christine Daae from “Phantom of the Opera” as well as the featured dancer in “Jellicle Ball” from “Cats.”
“I love the variety of songs included in the revue and the number of characters needed for the entire show rather than a handful of main characters in a typical musical. Everyone in this cast has a chance to shine,” said Furka.
“I feel like I've come to know 10 musicals because of this one production instead of just one,” she added.
Furka said she enjoys performing with her fellow dancers, and her favorite song is “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” from “Phantom.”
“In the song, the character opens up about her deceased father, and I have such a strong emotional connection to the lyrics. It's a beautiful melody,” she said.
Furka will be taking the stage for the first time in nine years. “This was the perfect opportunity to become part of a musical group once again,” she said.
Portraying Christine Daae for the Friday evening performance will be Rachel Creaturo of Penn Township. “Christine's innocence and her capacity to love has endeared her to the many who call 'Phantom of the Opera' their favorite musical. Also, I will sing her role in the sequel to 'Phantom,' titled, 'Love Never Dies,' during each show,” Creaturo said.
She has appeared in numerous plays and sees the revue genre as an extension of acting. “I call this sing-acting because, although we do not deliver lines from these shows, we work hard to deliver the feeling and setting of each number,” she said.
Having these classic songs concentrated into one revue is the only chance many of the performers will ever have to perform these pieces on stage, let alone in one night, Creaturo said. “I appreciate the opportunity we have been given,” she said.
Heather Check of Buffalo Township said she is excited about her roles of Norma Desmond from “Sunset Boulevard” and Eva Peron of “Evita.” “I am trying my best to bring my interpretation of the character to the stage and play the part,” she said.
She is reprising one number in the production. “The song, 'Jesus Christ Superstar' I performed as a Soul Girl the last time I was in the show. It was Butler Musical Theatre Guild at Butler Intermediate, October 1997.”
No stranger to the Sing Hosanna! stage is Nathan Rockcastle, also of Butler Township, who will be performing multiple roles.
He is taking on Joseph in “Dreamcoat,” the title role as well as Raoul in “Phantom,” and Judas in “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
“This casting makes it a bit more challenging than a normal production, as the flavor of the music from these various shows differs so much,” Rockcastle said.
With the musical score the most enjoyable part of a production for Rockcastle, auditioning for the revue wasn't even a question. “Many of the productions that Andrew composed are among my favorite stage shows, and to have the opportunity to sing this music with a group of friends easily tempted me to audition,” Rockcastle said.
