(UPDATED 4/24/2018) Music Circus held its second annual Subscriber Showcase recently to provide a sneak peek at the upcoming season. This free event is one of the perks of being a Music Circus subscriber.
I am of the opinion that holding this once a year event is also a very smart thing for Music Circus to do business-wise. Subscribers who are excited about upcoming performances are more likely to spread the word to others (and thus increase ticket sales).
See related post: Sacramento Music Circus – A Summertime Tradition.
At the Subscriber Showcase we learned some interesting facts about the process of casting the roles. Music Circus received around 10,000 resumes – and auditioned 3,000 performers to fill 150 roles!
The first show of the summer season will be Beauty and the Beast and mention was made that Music Circus had secured the use of the fantastic costumes utilized on the European tour of the show.
Four very talented women with great voices took to the stage one by one to perform two songs that they chose from roles they had previously played. They were accompanied on the piano by Jeff Rizzo the Music Circus Musical Director. They each also shared a bit about themselves.
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After all four had performed they returned to the stage one-by-one to perform a last song – this time from the musical in which they will appear in this summer.
First up on stage was Shannon Warne who is returning for her fourth season at Music Circus. Her last role at Music Circus was as Winifred Banks in Mary Poppins. Warne will be portraying Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast (June 20-July 2).
Next up was Jacquelyn (Jackie) Piro Donovan who is returning for her seventh season at Music Circus. She will also be appearing in Beauty and the Beast – but she noted that we will not recognize her as she will be playing the Wardrobe.
Jennifer Cody is also a returnee – and the only one who had previously performed in the Music Circus “tent”. She shared a vivid memory of performing in West Side Story when it was 106 degrees here in Sacramento. Cody will be performing in On The Town (July 11-16).
Last up was Anne Brummel a first timer at Music Circus. Brummel has recently finished a six-year tour playing Elphaba in Wicked. Brummel will be performing in 9 to 5 (July 25-30).
Rounding out the Music Circus season will be Damn Yankees (August 8-13) and Sister Act (August 22-27).
I know that I will enjoy all five of this season’s offerings – but I am especially looking forward to Beauty and the Beast, 9 to 5, and Sister Act.
(UPDATED 4/24/2018) California Musical Theatre has announced, effective immediately, a name change. The organization is now “Broadway Sacramento” and Music Circus is now “Broadway at Music Circus”.
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