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<\/a>One of Musical Theatre Guild’s earlier productions.<\/p><\/div>\n
Since this is a celebration of the musical theatre organization, it\u2019s fitting that, as the info on their website tells us, the show is inspired by legendary composer Stephen Sondheim\u2019s celebrated lyric in Old Friends<\/em>, \u201cHere\u2019s to us! Who\u2019s like us? Damn few!\u201d The site also states that \u201cthe evening celebrates the performers, directors, musicians, volunteers, patrons, and supporters who have shaped Musical Theatre Guild over the past three decades, while raising funds to support the Guild\u2019s youth education initiatives.\u201d With the arts being basically an afterthought in schools these days, my former teacher self is happy to read that last part!<\/p>\n This anniversary presentation is actually not solely a concert<\/em>\u2014some performers also share their reflections on the past thirty years with this company. I have high hopes for the show because I am familiar with a couple of the performers, chief among them being Will Collyer, of whom I recently became a fan when I saw him in the show Waiting In The Wings<\/em> at Theatricum Botanicum. If you missed that review, I wrote that he was \u201cmy favorite performer of the group\u201d because \u201chis singing is lovely\u201d even though it was just one Christmas song in the middle of that play<\/em>, which is not a musical<\/em>. I told the friend who was with me that night that I wanted the play to stop and let us just hear Will sing alone for a while. And now I\u2019ll get my wish at this<\/em> special concert on Sunday night!<\/p>\n Will Collyer in Waiting In The Wings. Photo by Ian Flanders.<\/p><\/div>\n One of my friends who\u2019s seeing the show on Sunday told me that she\u2019s excited to see the newbie in the group, Patrick Beller. He shared his impressions of his first year in this organization, saying, \u201dEveryone involved at MTG is a musical theatre professional, so they\u2019ve all played leads or been in an ensemble. You so rarely get to see this many legendary performers on one stage, and to work on material like the concert versions of musicals that we present is such a treat for audiences and for me as a performer.”<\/p>\n I\u2019m<\/em> looking the most forward to hearing the work of MTG\u2019s Music Director, Brad Ellis, who was also one of the music directors on Glee<\/em>. (He\u2019s the guy you always saw playing the piano for the stars on that series. What a great gig!) I got to speak with him by phone recently, (for a looong time because we could not be torn apart!,) and I cannot believe how much this man has accomplished in his career!!! (He<\/em> did not at any time do \u201c\u2026and then I wrote\u201d\u2014I<\/em> drew it all out of him.) And I loved finding-out just how many people and show biz experiences we have in common! I\u2019m happy to bestow upon him the title of My New Best Friend! (But he needs to enjoy it now<\/em>\u2014we all know how fleeting that honor is.)<\/p>\n I asked him to fill me in a bit more on Musical Theatre Guild, and he told me that to work with a group like this, \u201cYou start with talent.\u201d And that they all do this work \u201cfor the love of it,\u201d (as I<\/em> sort-of do with this e-zine\u2014I detest writing, but live to help people! So it\u2019s somewhat<\/em> the same.)<\/p>\n I asked Brad if all their shows have the same musicians, (because what is a musical<\/em> without fabulous artists playing the music for the singers???,) and he explained that they have different orchestra sizes for each show. Some have really big orchestras, while this one features what he calls the \u201cBrad Ellis Rhythm Section.\u201d That means only his hands on the piano and nothing more, which I love! That makes the voices so much easier to discern.<\/p>\n Brad Ellis, on the right, on Glee, playing the piano for a song from Matthew Morrison, on the left.<\/p><\/div>\n While I had Brad on the phone, I took the opportunity to grill him about his time on Glee<\/em> a bit. He was the most friendly with Matthew Morrison, whom he accompanied on piano when Matt toured with his cabaret show. Brad has also played for Jane Lynch from time-to-time, in orchestra concerts. He told me she\u2019s \u201ckind and gracious\u201d and a \u201cliving doll.\u201d I always liked her just as a fan, but his words have sealed the deal for me. (And I hope for all of you<\/em>!)<\/p>\n And he could not stop singing the praises of the late Cory Monteith, with whom he was also very close. He said the cast, especially Lea Michele, were devastated by his tragic death.<\/p>\n Speaking of Lea, he really applauded her talent, and made a point about her I had never heard before. He told me that a few Broadway shows extended their runs just because Lea was in them, (because audiences wanted to see her,) and those extensions created much work for the actors, musicians, and crew, which he really appreciates. I love that astute observation!<\/p>\n And, of course, as Mr. X and I are, Brad is rooting for Glee<\/em>\u2019s \u201creally nice guy\u201d Harry Shum, Jr. on Dancing<\/em> With the Stars<\/em> this season.<\/p>\n Brad is not just a music director and pianist, by the way. Those two achievements would be enough for anyone<\/em>, but he\u2019s also a composer, orchestrator, and voice coach. Hey buddy\u2014leave some jobs for the rest of us! (Well, not for me<\/em>\u2014I have zero musical talent beyond playing the piano piece The Flashy Speedboat<\/em>!)<\/p>\n I was glad to later learn from a mutual pal that Co-Founder of MTG, Gordon Goodman, also adores Brad Ellis, saying he is \u201cjust absolutely brilliant\u2014anything in his hands is in brilliant hands!” (Okay, so Gordon is not exactly a wordsmith, but I<\/em> can\u2019t sing, so we\u2019re even.)<\/p>\n I have to admit that until recently, I had never heard of Musical Theatre Guild, even when my old pal and favorite singer in the world, Adam Lambert, was in it! I wish I had known about them all those years ago, so I could have enjoyed his talents much sooner than I did! But that shows that you never know who you may discover at this<\/em> special performance on Sunday.<\/p>\n Yum! Photo by INAM staff.<\/p><\/div>\n That brings me to the line-up for the evening. It will begin with an early VIP dessert and coffee reception, complete with a champagne toast, in The Edye, which is the intimate performance space adjacent to The Broad Stage. The show will take place right afterwards in the Broad itself. MTG is known for performing some of \u201cBroadway\u2019s forgotten gems and undiscovered treasures,\u201d so to that end, I took an early gander at the program. And shockingly for this<\/em> theatre reviewer, (and lifelong theatre-goer<\/em>!,) I know only four of the thirty-one songs that will be performed! I actually love that\u2014I\u2019m always happy to learn something new. (But I did<\/em> see the titles of several shows my brother<\/em> has played in on Broadway, so I\u2019ll be glad to finally be brought up to speed on them myself.)<\/p>\n This is a fundraiser, so the reception will benefit MTG\u2019s Youth Education Program, while the musical portion of the night will benefit Musical Theatre Guild itself. VIP tickets will include admission to the reception, premier seating for the performance, and commemorative anniversary gifts. You can purchase tickets for either segment of the event or both, (which is what I suggest you do.) I hope to see you all there.<\/p>\n For tickets to Musical Theatre Guild\u2019s Sunday Gala, and more information, (such as full cast and program of featured songs,) please go here: www.musicaltheatreguild.com\/show\/heres-to-us<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" PREVIEW OF MUSICAL THEATRE GUILD\u2019S 30 YEAR CELEBRATION THIS SUNDAY If you\u2019re a SoCal lover of Broadway musicals, do not miss this upcoming one-night-only fundraising gala and concert, Here\u2019s to Us\u2014Musical Theatre Guild Celebrates 30 Years, at the Broad in Santa Monica this Sunday night, October 11th. Since this is a celebration of the musical<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>