A living room became a stage last week as performers worked out the details of their songs in preparation for “With love, Bright Lights of Broadway” this weekend.
Pam Shinsato, who founded the group, Bright Lights of Broadway, said that she has been involved in theater for a long time and that she wanted to have another community theater option.
Two performances of a musical revue presenting love songs from Broadway musicals on Saturday will be the first production by the group.
“It’s really meant for professionals who don’t do this professionally,” Shinsato said of those involved in the group.
The show will include 19 songs woven together by dialogue and features over 40 community members of all ages from Covington, Maple Valley and Black Diamond, as well as other cities in the area.
To select the songs, Shinsato and Lisa Hogg, musical director for the production, said that they started off with some of their favorites and compiled a list of ideas. From there they picked the final songs based on old favorites and songs that worked well for the performers.
“We just tried to give a balance in a lot of different ways,” Shinsato said.
One of the fun aspects of a musical revue, Shinsato added, is that the performers can take artistic license with the songs, from re-imagining the characters to performers being able to change the lyrics.
Shinsato said that the show will act as a fundraiser to provide scholarships for Tahoma High School seniors who can’t afford the cost of attending grad night. Shinsato’s daughter is a senior at Tahoma, and Shinsato is a member of the Grad Night committee.
“It was perfect timing,” Shinsato said of the effort to find a way to fundraise for Grad Night scholarships.
Auditions were held the weekend after Christmas. Performers began rehearsing on their own and there were group rehearsals and time spent working with the youth performers.
“It’s been a fast track show,” Hogg said.
Then came the director’s demos where the performers presented their ideas and worked with Hogg and Shinsato on all the little details, such as timing, cues, blocking and costume ideas.
“They all bring their pieces and I can weave it together,” Shinsato said.
The larger rehearsals started this week in preparation for Saturday.
Michele Wellborn, who lives in Black Diamond, auditioned because of her love and experience acting.
“It’s always fun to have the opportunity to get on stage,” Wellborn said.
Shinsato said one of the things she loves about theater is the opportunity to connect with an audience.
“I always felt that the stage was a way to educate or to connect,” Shinsato said.
Hogg added that the goal is to reach the audience.
“The magic is that we want to connect with the audience,” Hogg said.
Jennifer and Tom Rockwood, from Enumclaw, will be performing, “I remember it well” from “Gigi”. They got involved because of the experiences they and their family’s involvement in community theater over the years.
“I do love that it’s all the different acts,” Jennifer Rockwood said. “So we get to do it on our own and then create something grand.”
While running last week, Wellborn said she was listening to the soundtrack from “Les Miserables” when she was reminded of what she loves about theater.
“It’s inspiring,” Wellborn said. “That is what this show is about, inspiring people to love.”
For more information about “With love, Bright Lights of Broadway” and about tickets go to www.brightlightsofbroadway.org or call 206-619-6527. Performances of the show will be held at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 15 at Carco Theatre in Renton.
