This is "A Night at Tony's," a musical review featuring the best of musical theatre from the inception of Rogers and Hammerstein in the 40s to present day contemporary productions such as "Rent."
The show is the latest production by local community theatre group The Park Players.
"It's a retrospect of musical theatre from the 40s to the present," said Joseph D. Conklin, one of five directors for the production. "It highlights some of the show stopping numbers of musical theatre."
"We all thought it was time to do something wonderful [in celebration] of all the Broadway shows," said John Fiorenza, co-director. "We chose to highlight shows and songs that we all liked, and wanted to sing about."
The evening will be full of surprises, unexpected guests, and hosted by master of ceremonies Tony, who will be played by Angelo Cerrone of Hoboken.
So sit back, enjoy, and don't be surprised if you are seated next to your favorite theatre celebrity.
Best of the best
The directors for this production include Park Player members: Pat Noble, who chose material from the 40s to the 50s; Fiorenza, who will direct songs from the 60s through the beginning of the 70s; Conklin will be taking the 70s through the 80s; and Trisha Johnson; who will direct numbers from the 90s to present day.
Also directing the overall direction of the show is Cerrone.
Conklin and Fiorenza are founding members of the Park Players, which is based in Union City and brings theatre productions to Hudson and Bergen counties.
This is the fifth original review presented by the Park Players. The show pays homage to the tradition of musical theatre, which first got its start in vaudeville.
"The board of directors were the authors of this script," Fiorenza. "I'm doing the best of 60s to the 70s, which will be [the music] of composers such as Jerry Herman."
The directors all chose eras of musical theatre that they enjoyed, and were experienced in from the classical music of Andrew Lloyd Weber to the bubble gum era of "Grease," to the introduction of rock music with productions like "Jesus Christ Superstar."
"A lot of passion goes into the process," said Noble. "I'm working with all of the directors, and we are all bringing some insight into the project."
"We are dealing with our own eras, but we have also talked amongst ourselves and asked for feedback from the performers," he added.
And the beat goes on
From the late 1800s when musicals first shared the stage with straight plays and silent films, musical theatre has taken on many different forms, even as part of the burlesque circuit of the Roaring 20s. The genre has since exploded into today's contemporary story lines with musical accompaniment, which features multiple genres from traditional show tunes to rock, and the works of famed musicians such as Elton John.
Johnson said, "[Today] Broadway tackles more contemporary issues that young people can relate to such as in "Rent," and take [moral] lessons from shows like "Wicked." They also utilize composers and contemporary styles of music including rock and hip hop."
According to Fiorenza, despite certain criticisms that claim Broadway is a dying art form, the stages of the Great White Way continue to pack in hundreds in audiences from around the world.
"Broadway has never been better," said Fiorenza. "This is the platinum age of Broadway."
"My uncle got me involved and opened up the door of theatre to me when I was 8, and now we are doing the same for my daughter," said Johnson.
The production will highlight musical selections from about 32 Broadway shows, which will be performed by a cast of 15 taking on multiple selections.
In addition, the show will also feature a monologue from "A Chorus Line" and a scene from "Steel Magnolias."
"The show takes place at an awards ceremony hosted by Tony," said Conklin. "Tony is a theatre producer and director, and he likes to show his gratitude by allowing his friends to perform for one another."
The awards show comes complete with trophies for some illustrious members of the theatre world, which just may be seated next to you in the audience.
"You might see one of the Marx Brothers sitting right next to you," said Conklin.
This production will include past cast members, as well as some new members of the Park Players.
Other members of the production team include: musical director Liz Canarte, stage manager Kimberly Kingsbury, and choreographers Evelyn Rue and Nicole Exposito.
The show will run from July 11 to 15 at the Waterford Towers, 190 River Road, in Edgewater. For ticket prices and times, call (201) 941-6030. Jessica Rosero can be reached at jrosero@hudsonreporter.com
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