NEWSFLASH: Mandeville, LA - MY Way opens with a three show sold out weekend at North Star Theatre in Mandeville, Louisiana.
This show is a thirty-five song musical revue of some of the most beloved songs in American music which were recorded and made famous by Frank Sinatra. The show is interspersed with great variety of solos, duets, quartets, quintets and full cast ensembles. Whether the cast is singing with accompaniment or a capella, the harmonies are rich and the vocal guns are blazing.
The connective tissue between songs is the brilliantly delivered narration by Ed Morvant. Mr. Morvant is ...Read More
NEWSFLASH: Mandeville, LA - MY Way opens with a three show sold out weekend at North Star Theatre in Mandeville, Louisiana.
This show is a thirty-five song musical revue of some of the most beloved songs in American music which were recorded and made famous by Frank Sinatra. The show is interspersed with great variety of solos, duets, quartets, quintets and full cast ensembles. Whether the cast is singing with accompaniment or a capella, the harmonies are rich and the vocal guns are blazing.
The connective tissue between songs is the brilliantly delivered narration by Ed Morvant. Mr. Morvant is a seasoned veteran of the New Orleans stage scene with lengthy credits as an actor, dancer, choreographer, and director. Some of Ed’s first performances as a young man were with the Tony Bevinetto dancers on the John Pela Show.
The vocal arsenal is powerful, to say the least!
Tenor, Dave Ancar is the son of New Orleans singing legend Harvey Jesus and was singing with his dad’s band as young as four years old. Dave is a master show man! With the tip of his fedora or a wink of the eye, he is sure to draw a smile. He was a featured performer with Six Flags in both New Orleans and Los Angeles. Features include: All of Me, Under My Skin, That Old Black Magic, I Get a Kick Out of You, and more.
With a degree in Musical Theatre, Shannon Collins (alto) is an enchanting vocalist as well as a dynamic dancer/choreographer. Each time Shannon takes the stage we see a new character come alive as she “tells the story” in song. Whether it’s the moving ballad, One for the Road or the humoresque delivery of Lady is a Tramp, Shannon is pure stage delight. Her rich full tone soars through the room.
Tenor/Baritone, Jonathan Sturcken was a three year All State vocalist, who is now a Vocal Music Major. Showing ample legit vocal chops, Jonathan’s touching delivery of My Funny Valentine is one of the shows highlights. He will perhaps be best remembered though for his unexpected falsetto ending to New York, New York, which closed the show to an outburst of applause and cheers each night of the opening weekend.
Soprano/Alto Taylor King is a newcomer to the stage, but at age sixteen, it is clear that we will see much more of her to come. Taylor’s voice has delicious warmth that one feels in every part she sings. She is featured soloist on I Believe and Young at Heart, but her vocal presence is felt in every ensemble piece in which she takes part.
Bass/Baritone Jacob Taylor is a self-proclaimed fan of all things blue. Rounding out the bottom of all the ensemble pieces, Mr. Taylor’s soulful tone and aloof persona brings the coolness and the heat as well. Featured on The Best is Yet to Come, and My Lean Baby, Jacob says as much with his smoldering glances as with his rich vocal crooning.
With three beautiful women gracing this stage, soprano April Nelson is by no means last. Miss Nelson is this year’s reining “Miss Louisiana Outstanding Teen,” the teen division of the Miss America Pageant. April lights up the venue throughout the show, and is featured on a beautiful rendition of I’ll Be Seeing You which brought tears to audience members on opening weekend. Her flirty character in the show brings playful excitement to every ensemble piece as well as a few laughs along the way. Her duets with Jacob include The Way You Look Tonight, and Something Stupid.
MY WAY is a fun outing that reminds us that great vocals and beautiful music are not just a thing of the past, but can still bring tears, chills, smiles and laughter to a room. With fresh new arrangements, and incredible young talent this show introduces great lyrics and melodies to a whole new generation. It is as much to be discovered as it to be reminisced.
Kudos to Lori Bennett and North Star Theatre for bringing MY WAY to life with this incredible cast of all local performers, and delivering an evening of pure joy to the community.
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