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When Michelle Sergeeff first heard the nine-piece band for The Candlelight Dinner Theatre’s production of “Anything Goes,” she admits she was overcome with emotion.
“When they played for the cast for the first time, I actually started crying,” said Sergeeff, who plays the role of Erma in the 1930s musical. “The band just gives this show so much energy. They’re ridiculously amazing.”
Sergeeff, who graduated from the University of Northern Colorado’s musical theater program, is just one member of the show’s ensemble who believes the music is one of the strongest elements of “Anything Goes.”
Written by Cole Porter, the show’s music numbers are relatively well-known hits written prior to the 1934 “Anything Goes” debut. Since then, the big-band sound has become one of the musical’s most recognizable components and even nabbed the revival a 2012 Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. The play also won the Tony for Best Revival last year.
“It is currently playing on Broadway, it is good entertainment for the whole family, and because it has a lot of really good music,” director Brian Burron said. “We have a nine-piece band with a four-piece horn section, which really brings the show to life. We have really pulled out all the stops with the music in this show because the songs are so well-known.”
Conducted by Dana McElwain, the original band for Candlelight’s production was six pieces. However, after consulting with the Burron and the theater owner, McElwain brought on three more horns to really accomplish the 1930s style.
“I had worked with the core group of musicians for the last four shows, but the instrumentation and orchestration of these songs required something more: more horns,” McElwain said. “So we added a sax player and two more brass, and now we’re really able to deliver more of an authentic-sounding accompaniment for everything that is going on onstage.”
Of the band’s nine musicians, four of them hail from UNC: Taylor Gustard on trumpet, Edward C. Wellman on trombone, Ryan Middagh on saxophone and Ian Sawyer on trumpet.
“These are great musicians playing great songs, which is what it all really comes down to,” said McElwain, who had never performed “Anything Goes” before this year. “I’m pretty familiar with the tunes, which made it all come together much easier than other shows. We’re all saying that we’ve never been more prepared or solid for a show.”
Set entirely on a cruise ship, the musical is a comedic story line that incorporates classic elements of mistaken identities and romances, sprinkled with slapstick and farce.
Burron describes the show, which opened last Thursday and will run until March 11, as being quite similar to a Marx Brothers movie in the sense that is fast-paced and light.
“It’s just a really great experience that’s good for the whole family,” he said. “The costumes, the music, the lights, the set, all of it is just great. There’s a lot of action, and it’s just a nice way to forget the troubles of the day and just let things go away while you sit back and relax and enjoy the show.”
Joshua Espinoza is a Tribune and NEXTnc staff writer. He can be reached at jespinoza@greeleytribune.com.
“When they played for the cast for the first time, I actually started crying,” said Sergeeff, who plays the role of Erma in the 1930s musical. “The band just gives this show so much energy. They’re ridiculously amazing.”
Sergeeff, who graduated from the University of Northern Colorado’s musical theater program, is just one member of the show’s ensemble who believes the music is one of the strongest elements of “Anything Goes.”
Written by Cole Porter, the show’s music numbers are relatively well-known hits written prior to the 1934 “Anything Goes” debut. Since then, the big-band sound has become one of the musical’s most recognizable components and even nabbed the revival a 2012 Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. The play also won the Tony for Best Revival last year.
“It is currently playing on Broadway, it is good entertainment for the whole family, and because it has a lot of really good music,” director Brian Burron said. “We have a nine-piece band with a four-piece horn section, which really brings the show to life. We have really pulled out all the stops with the music in this show because the songs are so well-known.”
Conducted by Dana McElwain, the original band for Candlelight’s production was six pieces. However, after consulting with the Burron and the theater owner, McElwain brought on three more horns to really accomplish the 1930s style.
“I had worked with the core group of musicians for the last four shows, but the instrumentation and orchestration of these songs required something more: more horns,” McElwain said. “So we added a sax player and two more brass, and now we’re really able to deliver more of an authentic-sounding accompaniment for everything that is going on onstage.”
Of the band’s nine musicians, four of them hail from UNC: Taylor Gustard on trumpet, Edward C. Wellman on trombone, Ryan Middagh on saxophone and Ian Sawyer on trumpet.
“These are great musicians playing great songs, which is what it all really comes down to,” said McElwain, who had never performed “Anything Goes” before this year. “I’m pretty familiar with the tunes, which made it all come together much easier than other shows. We’re all saying that we’ve never been more prepared or solid for a show.”
Set entirely on a cruise ship, the musical is a comedic story line that incorporates classic elements of mistaken identities and romances, sprinkled with slapstick and farce.
Burron describes the show, which opened last Thursday and will run until March 11, as being quite similar to a Marx Brothers movie in the sense that is fast-paced and light.
“It’s just a really great experience that’s good for the whole family,” he said. “The costumes, the music, the lights, the set, all of it is just great. There’s a lot of action, and it’s just a nice way to forget the troubles of the day and just let things go away while you sit back and relax and enjoy the show.”
Joshua Espinoza is a Tribune and NEXTnc staff writer. He can be reached at jespinoza@greeleytribune.com.
More info
“Anything Goes” runs at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Marketplace Drive, Johnstown, until March 11.
The show runs on Thursday-Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees. Tickets are $45.50-$57.50, with the adult show without the dinner at $29.50. There is an additional discount for children 5-18. Call (970) 744-3747 for tickets or go to www.coloradocandlelight.com. |
