Powerhouse performances and an electrifying vibe. That is the essence of a cavalcade of hits from Broadway musicals brought to the Melbourne stage by Sam Steven Productions. Vocalists Hannah Underwood, Sylvia Kokkinas, Andrew Vassett and Craig Lough join a talented four-piece band to figuratively lift the roof off The MC Showroom.
While many of the 34 numbers in the two-act, two-hour program (including interval) are up-tempo bangers, there are some more soulful tunes too. All-in-all, it makes for a great evening of emotion-charged song, which has been very well choreographed by Craig Lough, with the singers in sync throughout.
First one, then another, and another are front and centre, their vocal aptitude and dexterity on display throughout. Each has their moment to shine and that they do, with alacrity and polish. While one is thrust into the limelight, the others often act as back-up singers, although the show also includes solos, duets, trios and quartets.
Act I incorporates tracks from SIX, Hamilton, Chicago, & Juliet, Moulin Rouge, Waitress, Next to Normal, Mean Girls and Heathers. So too School of Rock, Cabaret, Dear Evan Hansen, Little Shop of Horrors, Hercules and Legally Blonde.
After a 15-minute interval, the repertoire takes in Hairspray, Sister Act, Heathers, Come From Away, Beetlejuice and RENT! The entertainment continues with tunes from Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, The Wizard of Oz, Death Becomes Her, SIX and The Book of Mormon. To close out the night, Anastasia, WICKED, Newsies, Grease, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Sister Act come to the fore.
Together with Hunter Rando on guitar, Luke Holland on bass, Gabrielle Cayoun on keys and Charlie Wood on drums, the vocalists give their all to an appreciative audience. Unlike many music-based shows, there is no chatter (and Curtain Call is better off for it), simply song after song, a medley of glorious hits that resonate time and again.
Producer and musical director Sam John has done an outstanding job bringing it all together. To aid the razzle dazzle, Liam Bradford’s lighting design includes four medium sized lighting towers and spotlighting. Adding to the atmosphere is a fog machine.
While I loved it all, I had a particular soft spot for All That Jazz (from Chicago), Stick it to the Man (from School of Rock) and Time Warp (from Rocky Horror). Curtain Call: The Hits of Broadway is energetic, engaging and enormously satisfying, so much so that I would gladly go back for a repeat dose tomorrow. It had a two-night run at The MC Showroom in Prahran. I am already pleading for a return visit.
Alex First
Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.