Arts
Raising the curtain on ‘The Greatest Shows’
Aiming to dazzle the audience with some ultimate showstoppers, Colombo’s beloved amateur theatre group the Workshop Players will showcase a wide variety of Broadway hits when they present ‘The Greatest Shows’ – a musical revue from September 11 – 14 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre.
With 13 musicals each day within a two-day programme, the task of picking which programme to attend is a daunting task…but fear not! This is where we step in. Included below is your guide to the programme
Programme 1
School of Rock
If you aren’t already familiar with the 2003 Richard Linklater comedy starring Jack Black, Broadway maestro Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s adaptation is sure to jog your memory. The revue will feature 90+ youngsters below the ages of 15.
When Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star with a heart of gold gets kicked out of his band, he tries to earn a few bucks as a substitute teacher and discovering his students inherent musical/ creative talents forms an unlikely rock band of fifth graders. The Workshop kids will be playing instruments live on stage, and from what we gather these scores will be something you don’t want to miss out on.
Annie
Based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip ‘Little Orphan Annie’, the Broadway adaptation features music by the renowned Charles Strouse. The curly haired redhead Annie will melt hearts as she navigates her way into the world of billionaire Oliver Warbucks. The classic family musical beautifully captures the bond between father and daughter and audiences will no doubt recall that memorable song, “The sun will come out tomorrow”.
Sister Act
The kingdom of musical comedy cometh with the belly tickling pieces from the Whoopi Goldberg made famous ‘Sister Act’. Based on the 1992 film, the plot revolves around ‘Lady Fabulous’ Deloris Van Cartier, a 1970 disco diva who witnesses her gangster boyfriend (did we mention he’s married?) Curtis commit a murder. Going incognito by police demands Deloris takes on the pseudo-identity of a nun in a penniless parish. Exchanging her gold hoops for a wimple Deloris finds her true calling with the parish choir and embraces a sisterhood she never knew she needed. Says Dilini Perera who plays Deloris, “We’re adding into the sassy, street smart version of Whoopi Goldberg and also showcasing a ditzy more airheaded combo of the character!”
Hair
Set in 1967, this touching story of hippies who celebrate love in the dark shadows of the Vietnam War centres on Berger, the charismatic leader of the ‘tribe’ and the sweet-tempered Claude who teeters on the brink of being drafted to fight for the war.
Fiddler on the Roof
In this Tony award winning production, we meet the poor, philosophical Jewish milkman Tevye (‘If I were a rich man’), his sharp tongued wife Golde and their five daughters! A heart-warming story of fathers and daughters, husbands and wives and cherishing the times of life, love and laughter.
Wicked
A production which birthed the golden partnership of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, ‘Wicked’ gives audiences a second perspective to L. Frank Baum’s ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ (1990).
Connecting like a ying-yang, the green skinned, smart, misunderstood and extraordinarily talented Elphaba (the wicked witch of the West) forms an unlikely friendship with the bubbly blonde Glinda (the Good Witch). With thrilling scores including hits “Defying Gravity” and “Popular”, Wicked is still one of the longest running shows in London theatre history.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Roald Dahl’s treasured tale will make audiences smack their lips as they enter the marvellous chocolate factory of Willy Wonka.
Aladdin
This carpet ride for two will bring back the memorable and well known Disney classic with the lovable characters from Agrabah. Join Aladdin and Princess Jasmine, antagonist Jafar and the multi skilled Genie as they whisk you away to a “Whole New World”.
We will rock you
Another rock musical in the midst of the programme We Will Rock You comes in the guise of a framework to belt out the greatest hits by one of the most immortal bands of our time – Queen.
Miss Saigon
Falling in love is never easy – this is made abundantly clear in the tear jerking classic that is “Miss Saigon” as 17-year-old Kim is forced to work in a Saigon bar during the Vietnam War where she falls in love with an American G.I named Chris.
Aida
Probably one of the most underrated musicals of our time, Aida is based on the opera by Giuseppe Verdi and is a timeless story of forbidden love and the true nature of political power. With music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice this award winning pop/rock score features rousing songs and dances.
Chicago
Winding up Programme 1, this exhilarating jazz production is set in the legendary city of Chicago in the roaring 1920s in the notorious world of celebrity criminals as they sass and shimmy their way through Bob Fosse’s inspired choreography and prove that not even a cell block can detain their spirit.
Programme 2
Cabaret
Warmly inviting audiences into the seedy cabaret performance at the Kit Kat Klub in 1930s Berlin a young English performer forms a relationship with an American writer whilst the fervent Master of Ceremonies commands the plot.
Little Mermaid
Whilst Ariel dreams of being “part of your world”, the little mermaid and her oceanic friends invite you into theirs. Take a dive under the salty depths of the sea as Ariel bridges the gap between two very different yet similar worlds.
The Workshop Players poised for the stage. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Matilda
Another Roald Dahl classic in the programme – Matilda Wormwood is neglected and belittled by her parents and her corporal like headmistress Miss Trunchbull. But the young girl with a sharp mind, unfettered imagination, and a heart of gold shows us that you’re never too young to firmly grasp your own destiny.
Saturday Night Fever
A retro feel-good musical adaptation of the movie that shot John Travolta to instant stardom, it will make you want to play your BeeGees vinyl and boogie on into the night.
Mary Poppins
For those of us in high anticipation to witness Emily Blunt transform into Mary Poppins, this extract arrives right in time. Although we all know the musical’s hits like “A spoonful of sugar”,
“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”
and “Let’s go fly a kite”, Workshop Player Meth Bandaranaike enigmatically shares “We’ll be performing a lesser known song from the musical” making us all wonder what the umbrella flying nanny has up her sleeve.
Dream Girls
Following the story of “The Dreams” a trio of all African-American female- singers from Chicago, the musical’s powerful scores explore the back breaking entertainment industry in this Tony award winning production.
Hunchback of Notre Dame
Based on the 1996 Disney classic and Victor Hugo’s acclaimed novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame narrates the story of Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell-ringer of Notre Dame and explores his desire to feel a sense of belonging in society.
Beauty and the Beast
“A tale as old as time” Beauty and the Beast is a timeless classic of love on a timeline, capturing those magical moments and creating a mature understanding among audiences of all ages that beauty comes in all forms.
The Greatest Showman
Filled with a playlist of well loved scores, the 2017 live action film starring Hugh Jackman is coming to Broadway and audiences get to have a taste of it right here.
Rent
Struggling to make ends meet and survive in gritty New York of 1991, Rent portrays the struggles of creatives, as they strive for success and acceptance and prove that there is never a better time than the present for “seasons of love”.
Funny Girl
Fanny Brice, is a talented comedian and singer — a role synonymous with the legend that is Barbara Streisand. Funny Girl explores the ups and downs of stardom as Fanny strives for success on the vaudeville stage of the Big Apple.
Chorus Line
One of the more technically (in terms of choreography and overall production) driven pieces in the musical selection Chorus Line showcases a day in the life of seventeen dancers all vying for a spot in the ‘chorus’ of a Broadway musical.
“The Greatest Shows – It’s everything you ever want” goes on the boards at the Lionel Wendt from October 11 to the 14 at 7.30 p.m with two matinee performances on October 13 and 14 at 3 p.m.
Programme 1 will take place on October 11, 13 (7.30 pm show) and 14 (3 pm matinee) whilst Programme 2 will take place October 12, 13 (3 pm matinee) and 14 (7.30 pm show). The box plan and tickets are currently available at the Lionel Wendt with tickets being priced at Rs. 5000, 4000, 3500, 2000 and 800 (balcony). For more information check their Facebook page (@theworkshopplayers)