Broadway Family Favorites to open in March

Broadway comes to Draper in March, and singers and dancers are already polishing their crowd-pleasing acts.

The Draper Arts Council production of the musical revue "Broadway Family Favorites—A Musical Revue" will play at Juan Diego Catholic High School March 25, 26 and 28 at 7 p.m. Director Debra Woods has put together 39 songs from 11 different Broadway favorites to create what she calls "10 mini-musicals—with costumes and scenery."

From the opener and closer from "Annie Get Your Gun" through "Annie," "Oliver!," "The Sound of Music," "The Little Mermaid" and half a dozen more, audiences will be blown away by the sound and spectacle of a talented cast, featuring Draperites Peter Lambert and McKenzie Tolk (both of whom just appeared in Alta High's "Pride and Prejudice"), Sarah Wade and Marilyn Oveson. While there are certainly performers from Sandy and other areas, like Jim Murphy and Ernie and Sue Nielsen, "Most of our cast does come from Draper," said Music Director Tricia Swanson. "You have a lot of talent here."

Choreographer Charese Carter agrees. "The dancers have worked hard, and audiences will be rewarded with a great show," she said. "Putting more than 100 players—from 77 different families and ranging in age from 5 to 62—on stage at the same time takes real effort, but they have been a joy to work with."

The creative team points out that doing a revue—rather than just one musical—allows them to select music to best showcase the talent of those who audition. "Many of the numbers in this show were added to feature the talents of individuals in this cast, rather than having a set-in-stone song/character list," Woods said.

"There are other advantages," said Leslie Johnson, DAC Board Member, who is also in the show with her daughter Laura. "It allows a wide variety of music for all ages, and it introduces the cast—and the audience—to new shows and music they may not have known before. The little ones may have seen Ariel and her sisters on the screen, but seeing them on the stage is a whole new experience."

Johnson adds that working at Juan Diego has been great. "It is a wonderful stage, and we enjoy the partnership we have developed there over the last few years," she said.

Broadway Family Favorites will provide high-energy, nonstop entertainment for all. When you "Hear the People Sing" (from "Les Miserables"), you will know that you have experienced a great production.

Tickets are $7 for reserved seats, and are available at the DAC website (www.draperartscouncil.org) or at the door. More information is available at the website.