Broadway Show Critique

Last night, on the 20^th of October, I had the privilege of attending the Villanova College Broadway production. The show featured the voices and orchestrations of both the young ladies of Loreto College and gentlemen of Villanova College. Director of Music at Villanova, Dr Peter Morris, directed, produced and conducted the show and organised the presence of two guest artists.

Married couple Rachael Beck and Ian Stenlake performed their way through their favourite Broadway solos and duets with gusto. If you find yourself wondering where you’ve heard Ian’s name, you may remember him from Channel 9’s Sea Patrol or from Carols by Candlelight. Ms Beck’s self-proclaimed claim to fame was her season of kissing Hugh Jackman eight times a week, when she played Belle against his Gaston in The Beauty and the Beast. Since her debut, she has performed nationally and internationally, touring with such prominent composers as Jason Robert Brown.

In critiquing the orchestra, I could find no faults. Morris runs a tight ship. If the student’s weren’t wearing uniforms, they would indistinguishable from the professionals who performed with them. Indeed, qualified musicians Ben Langford (trumpet) and Brenda Sullivan (violin) performed with pupils at the highest standard.

The voices of the choir were not so seamless. Although the timbre of both choirs was excellent, their diregard of entries and cut offs somewhat spoiled the beauty of the compositions. While some broke the mould, faces and voices were expressionless – unacceptable when performing Broadway and musical theatre songs which require over expression and articulation.

However, unless Beck was aiming to overcompensate for the backup’s lack of stage presence, her clear love of attention was - at least - annoying. At most it tainted her performance, pulling focus from the lyrics and characterisation. Her solid lower register suited most songs. However, when the performance required higher notes, it became strained, screechy and weak. Beck’s bold wardrobe choices were warmly welcomed by the male students she performed with.

The chemistry between Beck and Stenlake, as well as their audience interaction was greatly appreciated by the excited audience. As was Stenlake’s charisma, as he acted and sang along with the audience and select male soloists. Despite his sweet timbre, Stenlake’s voice was unsuited to the repertoire, and was greatly outmatched by Villanova singing teacher and former Ten Tenor Craig Atkinson.

Atkinson and fellow teacher Natalie Richards performed solos and duets throughout the night. While Richard’s baby bump was the source of many gags on stage, her contemporary styled voice did not match those of her fellow soloists.

Overall, the concert was a huge hit. Staging and lighting were used magnificently to reflect the emotion of the songs. The Augustine Centre was a huge and professional venue, suited to the talent of the performers.