Center Stage: Both Community Concerts, Broadway Palm offer up good time
The second Fort Myers Community Concerts offering was an interesting and talented, British A Cappella group consisting of five men and three women appropriately named Voces 8. The title of their presentation was “Stardust” and their performance was as beautiful and romantic as the title. The group’s aim is to inspire its audiences through music, while sharing the joy of singing. I would have to say that after its Feb. 17 performance and the audience’s rousing applause demanding five curtain calls, it accomplished its goal and Voces 8 was a huge success.
The concert was mainly constructed to chorally celebrate “regenerating,” according to the program notes. Regeneration in the concert celebrated natural and spiritual regeneration while celebrating our inner most feelings, such as love, loss, beauty, sadness and joy. This desire was to be expressed with music from the Renaissance, using compositions by William Byrd, Palestrina and Heinrich Schutz. The First Act segment also included some present-day music by composers Benjamin Britten, Sibelius, Jerome Kern and Al Jolson, to name but a few.
My reaction mirrored the audience’s with a standing ovation applauding a huge “thank you” for a couple of hours’ worth of celebrating the present moment, where all is well and we get to rejoice in just “being alive.” As I have said before, anything that rouses those sorts of responses, is what great theater is all about!
So let me add my voice (in writing) to thank Community Concerts’ tireless leader Mary Lee Mann for bringing us such a terrific evening of music celebrating the art of living through music.
Next on the list for Community Concerts is The Rodney Marsales Philadelphia Big Brass, which will perform on March 3. The concert sounds like an absolute blast, featuring music from Handel, Sousa and New Orleans Traditional. So be there or be square. There just might be some single seats available, so try your luck by phoning the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall box office at 239-481-4849.
Are you in need of a little fun-in-the-sun getaway via a musical comedy? If your answer is a resounding yes, then Jimmy Buffett’s “Escape to Margaritaville” — which is wowing audiences at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre — is the right “laid back” fun for you. The “easy living” musical celebration features both original and old beloved Buffett classics. Tunes like “It’s Five O’ Clock Somewhere,” “Come Monday,” “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger In Paradise,” plus a whole bunch more, to put you in a “laid back” frame of mind.
The show is a perfect take on where we all are living now, where it’s fun in the sun, where the sun is hot, and the drinks are cold. Where a change in latitude leads to a change in attitude. The show celebrates all these free and easy gifts in music and song; what a neat reminder that no matter what temperature we experience in the Sunshine State, we are not only laid-back but cool.
Not only is this a fun-in-the-sun “kinda” show, the Broadway Palm cast is outstanding and director and choreographer Amy Marie McCleary is in tip top form creating a fine show in her usual inventive imaginative style. At the top of the list is Broadway Palm favorite Victor Lagarretta singing, dancing and getting laughs with his wonderful characterization of a laid back, beach bum “wise guy.” Lagarretta never gets old, he just gets better. Way to go!
Also included in making the show such a winner is Palm newcomer Dale Obermark, a good-looking dude from New York (originally from Missouri) who is an all-around talented guy and a triple threat singer, actor and dancer. Obermark has an easy style that is exactly right for his role of Tully. Caitlin Lester-Sams plays her role of Rachel perfectly, with the just right mix humor, sharp wit and strength. She also has a big voice as well as a mellow sound. Shannon Connolly as Tammy is another Broadway Palm favorite “knocking it out of the park” with her performance in her role Tammy. As a matter of fact, one of the show highlights is when Lagarretta and Connolly team up with the entire cast, singing and dancing to perform a great rendition of “Cheeseburger In Paradise.” It was so well done that it got the whole opening night audience on its feet singing and dancing. What a blast from the past! (Laid back style, of course.)
‘Nuff said! If you and yours are up for a great evening celebrating Buffett style, then put on your best flowered shirt, some comfortable pants or shorts, grab you flip flops, then leisurely saunter over to the phone and dial the Palm box office at 239-278-4422 and make reservations. When you call, tell ’em Marsha sent you.