The Star: June 28, 2018

concert
9
Broadway Hitmen follows on from the
grand success of An Evening of Rodgers
and Hammerstein Classics, the midseason
concert which wowed audiences
last year.
The Ryman Healthcare Showbiz
Christchurch Orchestra, 16 soloists and
a large chorus will fill the Isaac Theatre
Royal stage to present a concert of backto-back
hits from two of the biggest
names in musical theatre, Cole Porter and
Andrew Lloyd Webber.
American born Porter wrote over
800 songs during a career spanning five
decades, conquering both Broadway and
Hollywood. His soaring melodies, offset
with urbane and witty lyrics, gave rise
to his signature musical genre known as
‘the Cole Porter song’. Iconic musicals
like Anything Goes, Can Can and Kiss
Me Kate remain stage and screen classics,
finding new audiences with every decade.
Many of his greatest songs have been
covered by modern stars like Michael
Bublé, Robbie Williams and Lady Gaga.
British composer Andrew Lloyd
Webber is arguably the best known name
in modern musical theatre. In 2017
he became the first composer to have
four musicals playing simultaneously
on Broadway since 1953. Webber has
written some of the world’s most loved
and successful musicals including Evita,
The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ
Superstar, CATS and Sunset Boulevard.
“This is more than just a ‘stand up and
sing’ concert,” says Musical Director Ravil
Atlas. “Each of the 26 songs presented has
been cherry picked and represents the best
and most popular songs from two of the
greatest Broadway melodists.”
Atlas, who originally comes from
California, has had a distinguished and
varied career in opera, musical theatre and
ALL tHE
SoNgS
you have been
waiting for
concerts for over 25
years. He has starred
as the leading
tenor in more than
70 professional
opera productions
in six countries,
performed the role
of Piangi in the
Broadway production of
The Phantom of the Opera
in San Francisco, starred as
Jean Valjean in Les Misérables and
has taught many other professional singers
and actors at the highest level. In 2017
he appeared as a mentor in TVNZ’s The
Naked Choir.
Stage Director Nickie Wellbourn is
charged with bringing the songs to life on
stage. “Each song performed in Broadway
Hitmen will have its own on-stage
storytelling,” says Wellbourn. “I’ll also be
including a few surprises to build on the
‘wow’ moments from the 2017 concert.”
One surprise which can be revealed
is the inclusion of former Christchurch
actor/singer Nic Kyle, who is now based
in Vancouver. Kyle will be singing
‘Gethsemane’from Jesus Christ Superstar,
which he performed to critical acclaim
whilst touring Australasia with world
famous musical theatre diva Elaine Page
in 2012.
Kyle was described in a Stage Whispers
review as “a musical theatre artist with
an amazing voice who wowed the
audience. His songs were received by
rapturous applause which rivaled the star
performer, and the show would be worth
seeing for his performance.” The tour
with Paige opened doors for Kyle on the
West End, where he performed for four
years and was nominated for Best Actor
(BroadwayWorld) for his role in Savage
(The Arts Theatre).
Kyle grew up
in Ilam, attended
Christ’s College, and
graduated from the
National Academy of
Singing and Dramatic
Arts (NASDA). In
2009 he performed
the lead role with Showbiz
Christchurch in the New
Zealand premiere of Miss Saigon
before landing the touring gig as Paige’s
sole supporting act.
Kyle will be joined on stage in Broadway
Hitmen by 15 other soloists, a 30 strong
orchestra and a chorus of more than 50
to present all the songs from two of the
greatest popular melodists in one concert.
“I was introduced to the songs of Cole
Porter by my mother when I was a child
and I have loved them ever since. They
were her favourites and now they are
mine,” says Wellbourn. “I hope to see an
audience full of people sharing the music
they love with younger members of their
family.”
The repertoire will take the audience
from the birth of Broadway with Cole
Porter’s witty and suave Broadway
standards from the 1930s, through the
Lloyd Webber blockbusters. “It starts with
1930s nostalgia and ends with Broadway
on steroids,” says Atlas. “It’s all your old
friends together in one concert from
two writers who gave the world popular
melody.”
And for those who don’t think they
know any Porter or Webber songs, Atlas
and Wellbourn reassure “there are plenty
of songs you will recognise and don’t
realise that you already knew!”
Broadway Hitmen will be at the Isaac
Theatre Royal for four performances from
13-15 July 2018.
gIvEAWAy
Forward 50 has four tickets to the
Matinee of Brodway Hitmen on
Saturday 14th July at 2pm. to give away.
To enter the draw, email Giveaways@
starmedia.kiwi with Broadway Hitmen
in the subject line. Please include your
name, postal address and a daytime
contact number. Entries close noon,
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Dentures not fitting properly?
Ill-fitting dentures can affect your teeth and mouth,
make eating difficult, and just plain hurt!
We can reline your dentures for optimal fit and
comfort, and you’ll be surprised how quick and
convenient the entire process is.
0800 866 8448 duchenne.co.nz
Mention Forward 50 when you book your
appointment and pay $399 (normally $450)
for a denture reline*
*Only available at selected branches.