Broadway rocks through the decades

In the past 80 years, the American music catalogue has spawned some pretty brilliant popular music.

Edmonton Musical Theatre, now in its 34th year, has dipped in the well and culled some of the best jukebox music for Broadway Rocks 2 now playing at the Westbury Theatre until June 18.

Scriptwriter Colin MacLean has set this traditional year-end revue in a New York diner starting in the Dirty ‘30s with a medley of Frank Sinatra tunes that include Come Fly With Me and Fly Me to the Moon.

Each succeeding decade is highlighted ending with a Michael Jackson tribute performed by the versatile Davey Damo.

“Davey can rock like Michael Jackson. He has this unique pop sound and he moves so well,” says Steffni Ault, who is co-directing along with Randy Mueller.

Through the decades and the flurry of costume changes, one mainstay is noticeable. “The music changes. Fashion changes, but basic human nature stays the same. How people interact, how they communicate, what they want and need stays the same,” Ault adds.

As music it morphed into a solid descriptor of the North American culture. “It tells me that we are a positive society and very flexible. We move with the flow of each generation and we strive to make things better in the next generation.”

In this musical incarnation of 51 actors, there's a strong showing of St. Albert ambassadors including Barb Hubbard, Jaime Johansson, Kirsten Kirsch, Lucy Haines, Sabrina Thievin and Georgina Sande.

In each of the decades, MacLean has cleverly inserted a bit of history. The ‘30s and ‘40s kick off with the diner's opening. During the ‘50s, there's a Hula Hoop contest. The ‘60s take on a different shade as returning soldiers from the Vietnam War take over the diner.

The ‘70s shake it up with a <,i>Saturday Night Fever medley and couples dancing solo instead of groovin' in pairs.

The ‘80s and ‘90s figure big with Rock of Ages, Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, while the 21st century salutes the military with Green Day's pop punk hit 21 Guns from their seventh studio album American Idiot.

“It's a ballad. The choral arrangements are so beautiful to listen to. The harmony lines meld together so well.”

Accompanying the cast is a three-piece band with Mueller on keys, Paul Woida on drums and Chad Alexander playing guitar.

“This will be a very nostalgic journey for the audience. People love to see a show that makes them smile.”

For more EMT information visit www.edmontonmusicaltheatre.ca.