Phoenix Theatre celebrates Valentine’s Day by kicking off a 10-day run highlighting a century of iconic and beloved Broadway musicals.
University of Victoria theatre students are taking viewers on a ride with 100 Years of Broadway – weaving together medleys and full-song performances that capture the essence of each era and showcase the evolution of musical theatre.
The century begins in historic Tin Pan Alley – a bustling hive where songwriters, composers, and publishers wove the very fabric of popular music, including icons such as Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Oscar Hammerstein II, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter and Richard Rodgers.
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The showcase slides into the golden era of the ’50s and ’60s including iconic scores from shows such as Cabaret, Guys and Dolls, Hello Dolly! and Oliver.
The ‘70s and ’80s feature works from opposite ends of the globe – Andrew Lloyd Webber, the visionary behind Phantom of The Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, CATS, and the brilliant Stephen Sondheim of A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd.
Act Two of the show bridges the timeless with the contemporary, bringing musical numbers from modern Broadway hits.
The show is directed by guest director and UVic alum Pia Wyatt, professor of theatre and dance and head of directing and performance at Northwestern State University in Louisiana. Wyatt received her master’s degree in directing from UVic Theatre in 1994 and has since worked as a professional educator, director and choreographer internationally.
Wyatt leads an all-student design team.
Phoenix Theatre’s 100 Years of Broadway hits the stage with a preview on Feb. 14 with shows running through Feb. 24.
The Feb. 16 show includes a public pre-show lecture with UVic Department of Theatre chair Dr. Tony Vickery, at 7 p.m.
Tickets range from $11 to $32 and are available in person at the box office on campus or by phone 250-721-8000.
