Its been a sellout or near capacity every year so far: the Kevin Jones Performing Arts Studio’s annual revue of Broadway songs, presented by high school and middle school students from his musical theater program.
This is no “Glee” however: the Canadian-born, long time Roanoke resident challenges his students to present a professional quality show – and they do.
This year’s show theme is “Broadway Goes Hollywood,” featuring songs from Broadway shows that later became movies. There are two free programs on October 26, at 2 and 7 pm. Tickets can be picked up at the Jefferson Center box office for the shows at Shaftman Performance Hall but don’t wait too long: Jones notes that they have run out of tickets in the past.
Broadway Goes Hollywood features show-stopping tunes from The King and I, Grease, Funny Girl, The Producers, Hairspray and other Broadway musical hits. Students appear in multiple numbers and the costume-changing area backstage can be hectic. Caitie McDonnell, a North Cross School senior and a soprano, is also interning with Jones. She’s a soprano and a Sound of Music fan. “Julie Andrews is definitely my idol,” said McDonnell, who will appear in numerous numbers during Broadway Goes Hollywood.
“We treat them like they’re seasoned professionals,” said Jones of his approach to mounting the Broadway revue every year. “We set the bar really high like we’re doing a show of Broadway quality and the kids rise to that challenge.”
McDonnell seconds the notion that Jones, who originally came to Roanoke to work at Mill Mountain Theater, commands their attention in rehearsals. “His mantra is, once it’s taught it’s learned. It’s all taken very seriously. The kids are all given the opportunity to be treated like professionals. This is something you’re not going to get anywhere else.”
McDonnell, who may study voice and history in college, hopes to keep musical theater somewhere on her radar when she heads off to school next year. She will sing the lead on “I Could Have Danced All Night,” from My Fair Lady on October 26: “I’m really excited. Performing on the Jefferson Center stage is basically a professional performance.” (She tries to avoid eye contact with family members). Jones advises students to “completely transform yourself into the characters you’re playing,” in order to overcome any butterflies.
Jones said staging a musical revue, with multiple groupings of singers, costume changes and scenery resets, is “so much harder” than putting on a regular musical play. “In this show there’s sixteen songs and the kids are in anywhere between four and seven songs each. They literally are bouncing back and forth.”
Students must audition for Jones’ nine-month program, which follows the school year. He also stages summer camps that are open to anyone through Grade 12. (see kjpas.com for more information). McDonnell had never auditioned before she did for the Kevin Jones program. He asked her to sing and she recalled being “really, really nervous.”
Jones, who plays piano and will do so for the small ensemble that is providing music for Broadway Goes Hollywood, notes that, “New York is filled with triple threats – kids who sing, act and dance. The competition is pretty stiff. The more skills you acquire as a teenager the more marketable you become.” As for Broadway Goes Hollywood on October 26, look for “a lot of up-tempos. A lot of fun numbers. It’s a good time for the whole family.” But get your free tickets now.
By Gene Marrano
