Sound the Alarm: Music/Theatre (STA) began the Lower Mainland leg of its “A Whole New World: A Concert of Movie Musicals’ Greatest Songs” tour this weekend. The all-Canadian production brought the magic of some of Disney and Hollywood’s most memorable musical hits to North Vancouver’s Centennial Theatre.
A stellar cast of vocalists; Ruth Acheampong, Georgia Bennett, Adam Fisher, Tainui Kuru, were backed by a fantastic five-piece band lead by co-arranger Evan Berndt. The simple staging and dynamic lighting, by Jason Hand, keeps the focus on the vocalists and the hit songs. Berndt, collaborates with STA Musical Director Frederik Robert, on the music arrangements & designs, creating a modern but faithful take to the classic tracks that offer the audience a “new fantastic point of view”.
The singers harmonized beautifully on the timeless duets like the title track, A Whole New World and Beauty and the Beast, as well as the group numbers When You Wish Upon a Star, Hero to Zero, Seasons of Love, or This Is Me. The vocalists’ immense talents are highlighted while covering the decades from 1939’s Somewhere Over The Rainbow, to Audition from 2016’s La La Land covering a diverse range of styles. Judging from the reactions, especially of the little princesses in the audience, are thrilled and entertained by Kuru’s theatrical takes on Friend Like Me and tap talents on Pure Imagination, then enraptured by his covering Hopelessly Devoted To You whilst playing guitar . Ruth Acheampong’s intimate Reflections or high-flying operatic Sound of Music, Georgia Bennett’s soaring renditions of Let It Go and Defying Gravity. Adam Fisher leads a sing-along on Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and plays the hero to Go The Distance then creates a beautiful cover of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Wrapping it all up, the quartet takes on a rousing crowd-pleasing rendition of Time Warp from Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Photo: Diamonds Edge Photography
Alan Corbishley, (STA: Founding Artistic Director, Project: Creative Director), says “This is a show that will bring some much needed joy to audiences of all ages – perfect for every generation in the family,” and it certainly was a show for everyone of all ages, while Act One: Disney kept the littlest audience members squealing with glee, Act Two: Hollywood: was filled with more memories from the soundtracks of our lives.
A Whole New World: A Concert of Movie Musicals’ Greatest Songs shares movie music magic with towns across the province as it continues to tour throughout the summer, with local stops:
May 27 @ HUB International Theatre in Chilliwack
May 28 @ Evergreen Arts Centre Theatre in Coquitlam
May 29 @ Massey Theatre in New Westminster
May 30 @ Gateway Theatre in Richmond
May 31 @ Abbotsford Arts Centre in Abbotsford
June finds the tour heading to the Okanagan and Interior BC before returning June 15 to Nanaimo, June 18 in Maple Ridge, June 19 in Vancouver and June 20 in Surrey
Visit soundthealarm.ca/a-whole-new-world for tour details and ticket venue links.