Musical theatre works by the English composer and impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber are having a bit of a revival around the world.
In Australia, his former wife — the soprano Sarah Brightman — is on tour this year to portray Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard.
Former Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger took on the same role on the West End of London, England, last year and, this fall, continues her character on Broadway in New York City.
And Starlight Express also returns to the West End — in a specially designed theatre — this summer and is now playing in Germany.
This month, at the Inlet United Church in Port Moody, the IOCO Players Theatre will highlight tunes from 11 of Webber’s shows in a revue called LOVE: Songs from the Genius of Andrew Lloyd Webber:
- Evita
- Jesus Christ Superstar
- Phantom of the Opera
- Starlight Express
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- Song and Dance
- The Wizard of Oz
- Cinderella
- Sunset Boulevard
- Cats
- Aspects of Love
“LOVE” is a musical theatre concert based on songs by English composer Andrew Lloyd Webber — best known for “Phantom of the Opera,” “Cats” & “Jesus Christ Superstar” among others 🎤 | #PortMoody pic.twitter.com/fSuz6ewW43
— Tri-City News (@TriCityNews) June 5, 2024
On Tuesday, June 4, the Tri-City News was invited to see a rehearsal of the production, which runs:
- June 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22
- at 7 p.m.
- June 15 and 22
- at 2 p.m.
The last performance on June 22 will be the final curtain call for the company, as founder and artistic director Mike Arseneault bids farewell after starting the Players in 2021.
He plans to promote the arts and arts-related businesses in Port Moody via his social media channels after he returns to the United States.
“It’s a bittersweet time,” LOVE cast member and musical director Kylie Lorenzana Fonacier said at the rehearsal at PoMoArts.
“Mike has been so generous and has taught us all so much. We will miss having him in our community.”
Besides Lorenzana Fonacier, the LOVE cast is (in alphabetical order):
- Mike Arseneault
- Kaylee Boissonneault
- Arthur Chen
- Saxony Eccleston
- Wilson Fowlie
- Tori Kazemir
- Bennett Renaud
The 90-minute show of Webber’s works “could have gone on for five hours,” Arseneault said, “but we picked his greatest hits.”
Also accompanying the cast for the eight performances are Carlina Dykstra on piano, Anna Kuchkova on cello and Emily Yeh on violin.
LOVE tickets are $30 online or $32 at the door (cash only), you can visit the website.
The Tri-City News has five pairs of opening night tickets on Thursday, June 13, to give away to five readers. Email [email protected] by Friday, June 7, for a chance to win.
