On the whole, I love musicals. I love the idea of having a perfectly poetic dialogue to accompany life and I love the idea that when questions or concerns come into that life, the best thing to do (obviously) is to break out in song. Hence, when I learned of 100 Years of Broadway playing at UVic’s Phoenix Theatre, I jumped at the chance to go see it on opening night.
Arranged by Mac Huff and directed by visiting director Pia Wyatt, 100 Years of Broadway is a two-hour long arrangement of well-known Broadway musical numbers stretching out over—you guessed it—the last 100 years.
With 11 actors who may or may not have had musical theatre training, the show is often impressive, but sometimes not so much. It’s a big feat, all this whirling and singing, and I’ll say that the cast throw themselves into their tasks with all they’ve got to give. They are a truly spirited group.
I was a bit unsure about the first act, as it seems to go through the musical selections very fast, with narrations between scores about which decade they were in, which I found unnecessary. The second act is far more pleasing, because full songs are sung, giving more of a chance to see what the cast truly has to offer.
I would like to give a nod to Liam James, who sings “You’ll Be Back” from Hamilton. James has something; he can sing and dance with panache and style, and he gives an already fabulous song meaning that’s all his own. I think James has a promising career ahead of him.
With costumes that represent part old Hollywood glam and part can-can burlesque, the show is pleasing to the eye, but unfortunately the sound and choreography could use a bit of brushing up—I’m hopeful that it was mostly due to opening-night missteps.
This is put on by students, and they are obviously having a grand time doing it. It’s a show worth seeing, and like the Broadway pieces it represents, it will get better with every performance.
100 Years of Broadway
Various times and dates, until Saturday, February 24
Various prices, UVic Phoenix Theatre
phoenixtheatres.ca