McKinney Summer Musicals selects 'Fiddler on the Roof' as 2013 production

On Feb. 8, a large crowd of McKinney Summer Musicals (MSM) supporters and enthusiasts gathered in the McKinney home of JR and Keresa Richardson to raise funds for this summer's production.

In the past, MSM had revealed its show choice well in advance of the event, but the MSM board decided to change things up a bit this year. Billed as MSM's Showdown, the evening was full of suspense from start to finish. The big question of the evening was which of the eight shows under consideration - "Annie," "Oklahoma," "Anything Goes," "Chicago," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Beauty and the Beast," "Footloose," and "West Side Story" - would make the final four, and more importantly, which one would be selected as the show for 2013.

Guests were transported in style from nearby Glen Oaks Elementary to the Richardson home via the McKinney Trolley and entertained along the route by MSM veteran Patrick Briggs, dressed in a vintage conductor's uniform. Upon arrival at the house, visitors were greeted in the rotunda by a unique receiving line of colorful characters from the eight shows represented in the showdown and then ushered downstairs to a buffet and open bar.

The costumed characters and designated promoters encouraged their fans to make donations in exchange for an on-the-spot serenade of tunes from their favorite Broadway shows. Trey West, who played Joe Hardy in the 2010 MSM production of "Damn Yankees" even joined his biggest fan - his own mother - in a rendition of "Phantom of the Opera."

After dinner, the guests journeyed back upstairs for more entertainment, led by emcees Mark and Geralyn Kever. MSM favorites Mollie-Claire Matthews, Jared Duncan, Trey West and Tracy Lastrapes sang show-stopping tunes from the top four musicals up for consideration. Between songs, the Kevers interviewed MSM President Rick Robertson about the costs of producing the high-caliber productions for which MSM is known, to encourage pledges of financial support from the enthusiastic audience.

Two big prizes were auctioned off near the end of the evening. The grand prize, won by the Richardsons, was a private concert by former Broadway star David Gashen, to be performed in their home at a future date. The second prize, won by the Kevers, consisted of dinner at Rick's Chophouse prior to the 2013 MSM show, reserved seats and a backstage intermission tour to meet the cast and crew.

The big "revealing" occurred when MSM's Steve Haid appeared with his violin on one of the balconies high above the audience and played the unmistakable opening bars of the overture to "Fiddler on the Roof." Director/choreographer Kevyn Robertson explained the show choice saying, "'Fiddler' was especially attractive for MSM because it offers so many female roles, as well as a rich script, rich music and spectacular choreography." She added, "Mark your calendars now because you do not want to miss this show."

Robertson will be joined by MSM's music director/orchestra conductor Steve Garms and assistant director/vocal coach Noelle Chesney for the next step on the journey toward this summer's production: assembling another diverse, talented cast.

Open auditions for "Fiddler on the Roof" will be held March 22-24 at Trinity Presbyterian Church and Taylor Dance Center (dance auditions only) in McKinney. For more information and to download an audition brochure, visit www.mckinneysummermusicals.com.

Performance dates are Saturday, July 13-Sunday, July 14, and Thursday, July 18-Sunday, July 21 at McKinney North High School.

Current Rating: 0 of 0 votes!

Rate File: Select Rating: * ** *** ****

 Plano Apartments
 Plano Attorneys
 Plano Auto Dealers
 Plano Auto Parts
 Plano Auto Repair
 Plano Beauty Salons
 Plano Car Rental
 Plano Dentists
 Plano Doctors
 Plano Flowers
 Plano Hotels
 Plano Insurance
 Plano Loans
 Plano Mortgages
 Plano Movers
 Plano Pizza
 Plano Realtors
 Plano Restaurants
 Plano Storage
 Plano Tax Preparation
 Plano Travel
 Featured
 More...