Birmingham Does Broadway: An evening with the Magic City’s best performers and the Alabama Symphony

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Take note! On February 17th at the Samford University Wright Center, Birmingham’s most renowned vocalists and performers will be joining the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Chorus for an evening concert titled, Birmingham Does Broadway.

From Rodgers & Hammerstein to Stephen Sondheim to Andrew Lloyd Webber, and a special 100th Birthday Salute to Leonard Bernstein, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra will be bringing Broadway to the Magic City.

Tickets for Birmingham Does Broadway, part of the SuperPOPS! Series presented by Red DiamondⓇ concert can be purchased – HERE.

In anticipation of this exciting evening, Bham Now asked the performers about the Broadway tunes they will be singing and the experience of playing with the Alabama Symphony.

Dana Porter

Dana has performed and taught with numerous groups including Birmingham Children’s Theatre, Birmingham Festival Theatre, The Dance Foundation, The DANE, Sursum Corda, Virginia Samford Theatre, and at the historic Lyric Theatre.

I Don’t Know How to Love Him (from Jesus Christ Superstar) is from a show that is on my “bucket list,” so it will be exciting to sing from that show in a professional atmosphere. However, I am equally excited about singing the medley at the end of the show that includes “Climb Every Mountain,” as The Sound of Music is one of my favorite musicals. I covered the roles of Liesl and Louisa on The Sound of Music Asia tour, and this will definitely bring back those magical memories of being on stage with a live orchestra eight shows a week!

There are a handful of musical experiences that stick with you for the rest of your life. Working with Alabama’s collection of most talented musicians will certainly be high on my list. 

Bill Bugg

Bill is best known to Birmingham audiences for his various roles in musicals like Fiddler on the Roof, Camelot, My Fair Lady, South Pacific, and Annie Get Your Gun.

“All of us who perform have a very few pieces that just “fit.” “This Nearly was mine” is that piece for me. It has a wide range of emotions which are a challenge to communicate but vocally and musically it just feels good in the voice to sing it.” 

Leah Luker

Leah has played roles around town such as The Witch in Into The Woods, Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls, Little Edie in Grey Gardens, Catherine Hyatt in The Last 5 Years, Anna Leonowens in The King and I and Ivy in August Osage County.

“I will be singing “Ohio” from Wonderful Town and “I Could Have Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady. I’m so excited about singing from My Fair Lady because seeing that film at age 7 made me want to do musical theatre. “Ohio” gives me a chance to sing with a woman I met almost 20 years ago. Dana Porter has since become like a sister to me. We love being on stage together.

I actually stage managed at Birmingham Children’s Theatre for almost a decade. During that time, I had the opportunity  to work with Chris Confessore and the ASO many times. Every time they tuned, my heart fluttered- and there were times I had to force myself not to feel this overwhelming sense of beauty- especially during the regional premier of Trumpet of The Swan. To sing with that many dedicated and brilliant musicians right here in a city I love- it’s awe inspiring.” 

Caleb Clark

Caleb has performed locally at Red Mountain Theatre and Terrific New Theatre.

“The ASO is a cherished part of the arts community in the southeast, and nationally. Those of us who grew up in the area have admired the orchestra since long before we knew we were musicians ourselves.

I’m getting to sing music from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story with my dear friend, Kristen Sharp. It’s a really special thing to strike the combination of performing music that you love with musicians you admire AND get to share that with your friends!”

 

Additional local vocalists include Carl Dean, Neal Hunter Hyde and Kristen Sharp.

And of course, the Alabama Symphony Chorus will also be performing.

A can’t miss event.  Purchase your tickets today for this special one of a kind concert.

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