Musical director Drew Wutke who, with Westport Country Playhouse Artistic Director Mark Shanahan, conceived an incredible concert "Broadway Scores at the Playhouse From Broadway to Hollywood,” arriving July 24 to 26, is most happy to discuss this novel project celebrating musical theater. He is responsible for the original arrangements. Wutke thinks of himself as a “tour guide” who hides “Easter eggs” that illuminate his love of musical theater. Whether it is a show that goes from Broadway to Hollywood’s silver screen, or vise versa, Wutke loves sharing the songs and stories that are most meaningful. He feels Westport Country Playhouse is the perfect venue for these magical musical moments, to pay homage to their history, to “conjure up our memories of the first time we saw the film (or play).”
Look for some classic tunes by Tevye the milkman wishing “If I Were a Rich Man, “ or a Gene Wilder Willy Wonka singing about the joys of a “Pure Imagination” or when a Baltimore teen in 1962 Tracy Turnblad belts out “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” or a delightful medley of tunes from “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Wiz,” and “Wicked” that close the show in spectacular emerald-green splendor.
The cast of six features incredible West End and Broadway stars Leanne Robinson, Kristen Hahn, Aaron Arnell Harrington, Barnaby Reiter, Kat Rodriguez and Sean Steele. They will vividly bring to life surely some of your favorite tunes from such stellar musicals and films like “The King and I,” “Chicago, “The Color Purple,” “Singin’ in the Rain, “ "West Side Story,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “In the Heights” and “My Fair Lady” and so many more. According to Leanne Robinson, “We sound incredible and extraordinary. All ages who love musical theater are in for a special treat.” If you came to Westport’s concert last summer “They Made It a Musical,” you are primed and ready for another installment. Westport Country Playhouse is on a mission for four shows Thursday, July 24 at 8 p.m., Friday, July 25 at 8 p.m and Saturday, July 26 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.,under the skilled hand of John-Andrew Morrison for direction.
For tickets ($45 to $65), call Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport at 203-227-4177 or online at westportplayhouse.org.The restaurant Don Mem is offering complimentary salsa and chips or guacamole and chips with purchase of dinner for two. Make reservations at 203-557-6198 with your ticket stub.
Forget the muggy heat and slip into a cool air conditioned seat at Westport Country Playhouse and be transported to a land where musical theater reigns supreme, where you might want to sing along, hear tales you never knew before and just enjoy timeless scores that are eternal. Be prepared for a bountiful booster shot of Broadway beauties to tease your memories, awaken your heart strings and learn all over again how “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly."
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