Broadway meets small town in theatre production

Edmonton Musical Theatre starts a new era in its 36th year history with the year-end production The Song Must Go On.

For more than a decade, the company’s home base was in downtown Edmonton on Jasper Avenue. However, costs in the downtown location were higher than EMT’s operating budget allowed. As a result, in December 2012 the company moved to its new home base at Woodcroft Community Hall.

The Song Must Go On, an original Broadway inspired musical running May 29 to June 2, is the troupe’s premiere production at the new location.

“Our space is smaller, more intimate. We have room for 125 tables and chairs. It will be cabaret-style show with bar and concession. We’ve kept it low key for this year, and it’s become more of a relaxed atmosphere,” says assistant director Steffni Ault.

Ault began her acting career in the mid-80s as part of Polaris Theatre’s core of actors. Just three weeks ago, she stepped into the leading role of Vicki Burnett after St. Albert’s Georgina Sande withdrew due to an illness.

EMT’s long-time musical director Randy Mueller wrote and is directing The Song Must Go On. He not only developed the plot sequence and character arcs for 11 adult triple threats and 11 youth, but also scanned the extensive Broadway catalogue for those just-right numbers.

This musical extravaganza opens in New York as Broadway star Vicki Burnett receives an emergency call from her Hicksville hometown. Granny Smith, the town matriarch, calls and reveals she is about to lose everything. All the folk are banding together to mount a fundraising concert. Granny asks Vicki for help.

Still loyal to the hometown folks, Vicki corrals Broadway producer Harvey Worthington and the Broadway cast into soft-shoeing their talents.

When the savvy, street-smart New Yorkers arrive, they discover the concert, organized by Grade 3 teacher Patricia Violet Pringle, is a mess. And as they set to straighten it out, romance, big dreams and heroes and villains all pop out of the woodwork.

Unlike most shows, in which a cast is selected based on the script, Mueller held auditions first and wrote the plot around the actors’ individual strengths.

St. Albert’s own Barbara Hubbard is attacking the role of well meaning, but slightly inept concert co-ordinator Violet Pringle. As Violet, Hubbard sings two solos – Teaching Grade 3 and Stop Time.

“Barb is one of my favourites by far. She can sing any kind of melody. Her tone is so clear. She can tackle anything – ballads, uptempo, you name it,” Ault said.

Jaime Johansson, another St. Albert resident, has landed the role of Yetta Tessye Marmelstein, the Broadway producer’s personal secretary and right hand.

“She has a secret crush on the producer and has stayed in her job for many years although she’s not recognized or appreciated,” Ault elaborated.

Johansson also has two solos – With Every Breath I Take and Miss Marmelstein.

“Jaime is another great talent. This is her seventh EMT production. Over the course of time she’s really grown because she challenges herself constantly. When she first entertained, she had a classical voice. But with the choices she’s made to develop musically, she has developed a musical theatre voice. And in the lower register, she can really show off her belt tone.”

Audiences will see a snappy show-stopping tapper danced to We’re in the Money, and the big Gershwin finale is a mashup of Fascinating Rhythm and I Got Rhythm.

“This musical definitely has an old-school musical theatre feel,” Ault said. “It’s like Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney getting together and saying ‘Let’s all get together and put on a show, and whatever happens the show must go on.’ Everything gears towards it. Everyone pitches in and puts on a show.”