Get Inside “The Soul of Broadway!”

Bethesda Little Theatre presents an original musical revue featuring songs that represent the soul of Broadway. Explore the emotion, heart, and rhythm of Broadway through songs from The Wiz, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, RENT, and more! Don’t miss your chance to laugh, cry, and dance to songs by Michael Jackson, the Temptations, and Tina Turner. The Soul of Broadway, runs June 9, 10, and 11 at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center. (For tickets and more information click here: blt-online.org or call 202-796-3431.)

In our blog series “Inside the Numbers” we take you backstage with the performers to discuss a sampling of the songs they’ll be presenting; today we’re going to explore an original mashup, arranged by Leslie Blaha, of two songs: “One Song Glory,” from RENT, and “Glory,” from the soundtrack to Selma.

One Song Glory/Glory

This is a mashup of two songs from RENT and Selma.  Were you familiar with either song?

Amanda: I was only familiar with “One Song Glory” from Rent. It’s funny — I used to skip that track when I listened to the Rent soundtrack. As I grew older I started to appreciate it a lot more, how it builds from introspective and bitter to raging fury. Now it makes me think about mortality and mistakes. It’s a very valuable song.

Leslie: I was more familiar with “Glory,” from Selma. I wanted to include that song even though it wasn’t from a Broadway musical, because it fit really well into the social justice segment of the show. I came up with the idea of arranging the mashup when a member of the production team recommended “One Song Glory” as one of the songs.

What is your “One Song Glory” dream?  A bucket list wish?

Amanda: I’d like to direct and act in a Japanese play. Unfortunately, it’s really hard to find people who enjoy both acting and the Japanese language.

Kathleen: It may sound cliché, but I’m already living my “One Song Glory” dream. As the daughter of immigrants, I have done so many things that my ancestors could not have imagined. I continue to reach further and farther.

“Glory” hearkens to the gospel roots of soul music.  Do you have a connection to gospel music?

Kathleen: As a kid, I was exposed to different forms of music which also included gospel. I particularly would love the harmonies and melting of voices that the choir would produce.

Leslie: I was always really impressed with the range of gospel singers and the way a gospel choir works to support the soloists.

The spoken word segments of “Glory” convey the civil rights message of the 1960s and the fight that still continues.  Which part is the most significant to you?

Leslie: My favorite line is “When it go down we woman and man up/They say, “Stay down,” and we stand up. With the culture wars taking place these days, it’s important to remember that change comes when we fight for it. We can’t give up on defending the rights of every person, no matter which part of their identity is being attacked.

Kathleen: The more I learned and memorized the spoken word segments, the more affected I felt by its message. Being a person of color in the United States is no small feat, and the spoken words really highlight the continued struggle that many people in the BIPOC community continue to face.

A Night Out on Times Square celebrates the musical variety on offer in Times Square. Our imaginary journey takes us to Broadway—new shows, revivals, and shows on tour—as well as clubs and cabarets. Here we sample a smorgasbord of musical genres—show tunes, pop and rap, jazz and folk. Of course, our selections are only the tip of the iceberg. If you would like to know more about our selections and their sources, we present a short guide for your information. The guide follows the order of the selections in our program.

Empire State of Mind

Music and Lyrics: Alicia Keys, Shawn Carter

Originally released in 2009, the song is about New York City. The title takes its name from Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind.” Keys released a second version of the song in 2010.

King of New York

Newsies was inspired by the true story of the Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City. When mega-publishers Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise distribution prices, Jack Kelly rallies his fellow newsies to strike.

All I Ask of You

Phantom of the Opera
Book and Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics: Charles Hart
Broadway premiere: January 1988

The longest-running show in Broadway history, Phantom of the Opera first opened on London’s West End in 1986. The brainchild of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Phantom is based on Gaston Leroux’s horror novel, which tells the story of the Phantom who haunts the stage of the Paris Opera and falls in love with a beautiful soprano.

Razzle Dazzle

In the 1920s, the press and public were riveted by the subject of homicides committed by women. Chicago, set in jazz-age Chicago, is based on a 1926 play by reporter and playwright Maurine Dallas Watkins, who covered the 1924 trials of two women accused of murder.

The musical is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and “celebrity criminals.”  Following its first run on Broadway, Chicago was revived in 1996, and this production holds the record as the longest-running musical revival and the longest-running American musical in Broadway history.

I’m Not That Girl

Building on characters and settings from L. Frank Baum’s classic 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, Wicked is told from the perspective of two witches in the Land of Oz—Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (the Good Witch). The story traces their complicated relationship—opposing personalities, viewpoints, and love for the same man—as well as their reactions to the Wizard’s corrupt government.

I Just Can’t Wait to Be King

Based on the 1994 Walt Disney animated feature film, The Lion King tells the tale of young Simba who overcomes adversity to become king of the pride. The musical features actors in animal costumes and giant hollow puppets.

Rock Island

The Music Man, the story of “Professor” Harold Hill, a con artist selling musical Instruments and uniforms to unsuspecting Iowa country folk, is Meredith Wilson’s love letter to turn-of-the-century midwestern America. Premiering in 1957, it has rarely been out of production, and is, in fact, enjoying a rousing revival on Broadway this year.

True Love

Based on the 2013 film of the same name, Frozen centers on the relationship between two sisters who are princesses. Elsa has an uncontrollable power to freeze objects and people, and, after inheriting the throne, inadvertently causes the kingdom to become permanently frozen, nearly killing her sister, Anna. To save the day, Elsa must sacrifice and show true love.

Stupid with Love

A coming-of-age story, based on a book by Tina Fey, Mean Girls takes us through the minefield that is high school for just about everyone—cliques, thwarted love, power struggles, wholesale meanness, and, finally, reconciliation and acceptance.

Don’t Tell Mama Piano Bar Segment

A fixture on the New York club circuit since 1982, Don’t Tell Mama has played host to cabaret singers, Broadway stars, and lovers of show, pop, and folk music. The name of the club comes from a song from Kander and Ebb’s musical Cabaret: “Don’t Tell Mama.” In our show, we are using the piano bar setting to feature some of the singers and songwriters that we lost to COVID—Armando  Manzanero, K.T. Oslin, Charley Pride, and John Prine.

You Learn

Inspired by Alanis Morissette’s 1995 album, Jagged Little Pill deals with pain, healing, and empowerment. Running on Broadway from December 2019 to December 2021, the show won two Tony awards, as well as the Grammy Award for best musical theater album.

Nature Boy
Chandelier

Based on the 2001 film Moulin Rouge, this jukebox musical is set in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris at the turn of the 20^th century and tells the story of Christian, a young composer, who falls in love with Satine, the star of the Moulin Rouge. The score is a combination of original songs and popular music. “Nature Boy” was written in 1947 by eben ahbez and recorded by Nat King Cole in 1948. In “Chandelier,” written by Australian songwriter Sia in 2014, Christian, distraught over his separation from Satine, vows to get drunk on absinthe, forget everything, and “swing from the chandelier.” The musical won the Tony for Best Musical in 2019.

Burn
The Schuyler Sisters

Hamilton tells the story of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. The show’s score draws from hip-hop, R&B, pop, soul, rap, and traditional style show tunes, and casts non-white actors. Miranda described Hamilton as being about “American then, as told by America now.” Hamilton opened on Broadway in August 2015 and took home 11 awards, including Best Musical, at the 70^th Tony Awards. “Burn,” sung by Eliza, Hamilton’s wife, is her response to the revelation about Hamilton’s extramarital affair and the heartbreak and public humiliation that drive her to burn his love letters to her. “The Schuyler Sisters” introduces Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy who are excited to be in a new age “amidst the powder keg of the early days of the revolution.”

Welcome to the Rock
Me and the Sky

Set in a small town in Newfoundland during the week following the September 11 attack, Come from Away tells the true story of what happened when 38 planes were ordered to land unexpectedly at Gander International Airport. The characters in the musical are based on real Gander residents and some of the stranded travelers they housed and fed. “Me and the Sky” is based on the experience of Beverly Bass, the first female captain for American Airlines, who was forced to land in Gander during the September 11 attacks. Come from Away is the longest-running Canadian musical on Broadway.

You and Me (But Mostly Me)

A satirical examination of the beliefs and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the musical traces the adventure of two missionaries as they attempt to preach the faith of the Church to the inhabitants of a remote Ugandan village. Written by the creators of South Park, the musical ultimately endorses the power of love and service.

What’s Love Got to Do with It

A jukebox musical featuring the songs of Tina Turner, this musical depicts her life from her humble beginnings in Tennessee to her transformation into a rock and roll star. “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” was composed by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle.

Birdland Jazz Club Segment

The famous Birdland jazz club opened its doors in 1949 on Broadway and West 52^nd Street—the heart of Manhattan’s theatre district. Home to some of the greatest names in bebop, the club was named after famed sax player Charlie “Yardbird” Parker. Other star attractions included trumpeters “Maxie” Kaminsky and Miles Davis, drummer Art Blakey, and saxophonists Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane. “Birdland,” with music by Josef Erich Zawinul and lyrics by Jon Hendricks, was written in 1977. Zawinul, an Austrian jazz keyboardist, was one of the creators of jazz fusion, a musical genre that combined jazz with rock. “Nocturne for the Blues (Harlem Nocturne)” is a jazz standard from 1939, with music by Earle Hagen and lyrics by Dick Rogers.

The Music That Makes Me Dance

Based loosely on the life and career of Broadway star, film actress, and comedian Fanny Brice, Funny Girl charts Brice’s rise to fame and the rocky relationship between her and entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein. The show’s producer, Ray Stark, was Brice’s son-in-law via his marriage to her daughter Frances. A showcase for Barbra Streisand, Funny Girl was revived in April 2022, with a new book by Harvey Fierstein.

Wedding Song

The Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, celebrating the power of music, has inspired composers from Monteverdi, to Glück to Offenbach. Hadestown offers a modern twist to the myth. Eurydice, attempting to escape poverty induced by climate change, goes to a hellish industrial underworld. Her lover, Orpheus, a poor singer-songwriter, comes to rescue her and to show others how to escape. Like the myth, Hadestown does not have a happy ending. But, as Hermes sings at the end: “Someone’s got to tell the tale, whether or not it turns out well.”

Make You Feel My Love

Using Bob Dylan’s songs as background and dramatic color, Conor McPherson’s script highlights small-town middle American life in the depths of the Great Depression, embodied by the drifters and fugitives who end up in a boarding house in Duluth, Minnesota.

You Could Drive a Person Crazy

Among the first book musicals to deal with contemporary dating, marriage, and divorce, Company tells the story of Bobby, a perpetually single man living in New York City, who seeks advice from and shares bachelor stories with his married friends who want him to “grow up” and get married. In a revival of Company in London in 2018, the character of Bobby was changed to Bobbie, a female role, with Sondheim’s approval. The West End production moved to Broadway in 2020 and was slated to open on Sondheim’s 90^th birthday. However, the production came to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic. The revival finally opened in December 2021.

Zazz

Four Broadway actors, down on their luck and looking for a cause, travel to the conservative town of Edgewater, Indiana, to help a lesbian student banned from bringing her girlfriend to the high school prom. With the help of like-minded students, the school puts on a more inclusive prom, including both LGBTQIA+ and straight couples.

She Used to Be Mine

Based on the 2007 film of the same name, Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a baker and waitress in an abusive relationship with her husband. Unexpectedly pregnant, she begins an affair with her doctor. She sees a pie baking contest and its grand prize as a way out of her troubles. Waitress made history on Broadway with the top creative spots filled by women—composer and lyricist Sara Bareilles, Jessie Nelson as book adaptor, Diane Paulus as director, and Lorin Latarro as choreographer.

What Becomes of the Brokenhearted

This jukebox musical is based on the story and music of The Temptations—an American vocal group from Detroit, who released a series of successful singles and albums during the 1960s and 1970s. The Temptations and are among the most successful groups in popular music.

Six

A British import, SIX is a modern re-telling of the lives of the six wives of Henry VIII, presented as a pop concert. The six Queens take turns singing and telling their story to see who suffered the most with Henry, and who should therefore become the group’s lead singer. SIX started life at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017, a presentation by Cambridge University students, followed by professional productions on London’s West End, Broadway, and internationally. SIX was the first new musical to open on Broadway since the beginning of the pandemic.

You Will Be Found

Evan Hansen, a high school senior suffering with social anxiety, is assigned by his therapist to write letters to himself. One of his letters is mistakenly made public, inadvertently leading to the suicide of a fellow student. Evan invents an important role for himself in the tragedy, which leads to unhappiness and disruption in the community. After confessing to his role, Evan mentally writes himself one last letter, taking responsibility for the impact he has had on his community. Dear Evan Hansen had its world premiere at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, before moving to Broadway in 2018. At the 71^st Tony Awards, it won six awards, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Score.

Bethesda Little Theatre presents an original musical revue featuring songs from all the Broadway shows you’ve been wishing you could see in one night but couldn’t… until now. Come From Away, Six, Dear Evan Hansen, Chicago, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Company, Hadestown, Hamilton, and more. We even have some side trips to some of the wonderful music clubs Times Square has to offer. Don’t miss your chance to see numbers from some of the hottest shows on Times Square! A Night Out on Times Square, runs June 10, 11, 12 and 17, 18, 19 at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center. (For tickets and more information click here: blt-online.org or call 202-796-3431.)

In our blog series “Inside the Numbers” we take you backstage with the performers to discuss a sampling of the songs they’ll be presenting; today we’re going to explore the opening number to “The Music Man,” a crowd favorite that very few people know is titled “Rock Island.”

Alright gents, there’s a lot of rhythm and a lot of words here – how’s it going?

Justin: It’s coming. We are getting it up to speed and it gets better every time we do it. Getting off book will be the fun part. 

Aref: Number of words: no problem. Rhythm: no problem. Choreo/staging: no problem. Hardest part is tempo, which we are conquering, courtesy of Leslie Blaha in the beginning with her blasted metronome.

Gordon: I’m lucky I only have a few lines so the rhythm and words don’t pose a problem for me personally. It’s the other guys who need to be concerned.

Arthur: Personally, I think it’s going well. I do hope that I don’t end up running out of breath during my spiels. If so, let’s hope there’s an O2 tank back stage.

Eric: Going as well as it could be. There’s still practice to be done to get it closer to ready.

What did you think when Cathy first handed you this song?

Aref: WOAH/WHOA! When I heard “Music Man”, I thought, “Ya Got Trouble” which is so much fun!

Editor’s Note: And might have even MORE words in it!

Gordon: I knew it was a difficult piece to do. A few years ago I was in a production of “The Music Man,” and I remember that the folks in “Rock Island” never did quite get it right!

Editor’s Note: Our guys are on the case though and it’s going to be a great rendition!

Arthur: I really didn’t think about it, my mind went blank and the first thing that popped in my head was, “What is this?” 

Eric: Oh no. How are we going to do this?

Editor’s Note: Sounds like they’re figuring it out! Can’t wait for you all to see how it’s come together!

Justin: I thought it was an interesting choice.  But trying to find an all-male group number that works for a cast as varied as ours is not as easy as it sounds.  

Music Man – love it, hate it, or something in between?

Editor’s Note: Sounds like lots of folks have some favorite tunes from this show; seems appropriately named.

Gordon: I really like it. Although I played the mayor (non-singing role) in the show referenced above, it was fun playing a character who always had a lot to say even when he didn’t know what he was talking about, which was most of the time!

Arthur: I always liked the musical Music Man. When I was in my school choir, I really enjoyed the song 76 Trombones.

Eric: It’s a classic for a reason. I don’t like too many classic shows, but everyone likes “The Music Man”.

Justin: I like the show. Not my favorite ever. Though Marian the Librarian is a great song!

Aref: Love love love it!! Or as Arthur exclaims, “He’s a what? He’s a WHAT?!!

How do you mentally prepare for a song like this before you walk on stage?

Eric: Don’t panic and forget everything!

Aref: There is only one way to mentally prepare for a song like this: Lots of faith in the other six guys! 

Gordon: The two things I try to remember are (1) timing is crucial, and (2) the words must be understandable, even though they are spoken very rapidly.

Justin: FOCUS. FOCUS. FOCUS.

Arthur: Practice, practice, practice, take a shot of oxygen and have FUN. 

Anything else to add?

Aref: My grandfather was a traveling salesman for hardware with exclusive rights for a super popular product at the time. His territory was the entire states of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska and he traveled exclusively by train, so the opening “River City, next stop!” would have totally resonated with him, though more like Kansas City, Dubuque, or Omaha.

Arthur: Since our show is about Times Square, it seems we could change the name of the train station from River City Junction to Pennsylvania Station, which is near the heart of Times Square – I know the territory. 

Editor’s Note: That’s an inside joke – come see the show to understand it!!

Bethesda Little Theatre presents an original musical revue featuring songs from all the Broadway shows you’ve been wishing you could see in one night but couldn’t… until now. Come From Away, Six, Dear Evan Hansen, Chicago, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Company, Hadestown, Hamilton, and more. We even have some side trips to some of the wonderful music clubs Times Square has to offer. Don’t miss your chance to see numbers from some of the hottest shows on Times Square! A Night Out on Times Square, our new original production running June 10, 11, 12 and 17, 18, 19 at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center. (For tickets and more information click here: blt-online.org or call 202-796-3431.) In our blog series “Inside the Numbers” we take you backstage with the performers to discuss a sampling of the songs they’ll be presenting; today we’re going to explore how the guys are doing with their take on “You Could Drive a Person Crazy” from Company by Stephen Sondheim.

As a song that was originally sung by women but flipped in the revival, how fun is it to sing this Andrews sisters-style song?

Aref: Hilarious. Most funny of all if folks in the audience don’t even get that it’s gender bender, IF we sing with conviction! Women drive men crazy all the time: the whole premise behind “I Love Lucy”.

Note from the editor: except now you all know because you’ve gotten a sneak peek!

Justin: I love Sondheim and The Andrews Sisters, so it’s a perfect combination. And, it is really fun to sing this with Martin and Aref.

Martin: If you’re accustomed to hearing songs a specific way, gender swapping can make learning lyrics more difficult.  But, it can also add a whole other level with different, and sometimes more provocative, interpretations.

This song is quintessential Sondheim with a lot of words that come quickly, coupled with tight harmonies that are relentless, what’s the hardest part of learning it?

Note from the editor: thankfully these guys all have previous experience with Sondheim!

Martin: The close harmonies are very difficult. When you couple that with choreography and the Andrews Sisters, it becomes challenging. But Sondheim frequently is challenging.

Aref: Zero problem for me as I performed in a production of “Company” many years ago, where Musical Director Jeff Hayes actually watched to cheer me on. In this song, I have the melody line, so I find it super easy to learn, something all sopranos take for granted. 😉 I feel sympathy for the other guys in the trio; it’s Sondheim!!

Justin: The words aren’t that hard. I sang “Putting It Together” from Sunday in the Park with George a few years back (which I have never recovered from), so this will be far easier.  For me, the hard part will be the harmonies. I’ll get it, eventually.  The other two singers and Jeff will need to be patient.

These boyfriends have a lot to say about their girlfriend, Bobbi. Does this song remind you of any previous relationships?

Justin: Oy!

Note from the editor: maybe if you get lucky, Justin will share more of his experiences after a show if you can catch him in the lobby!

Martin:  Although the song doesn’t really remind me of any of my relationships, I am similar to the main character Bobby in that I am a single person who has navigated the dating arena.  

Aref: Um, um, the song reminds me of a lot of  relationships where, um, um, I was the Bobby. I have driven my share of women crazy…when I was living my life as a straight man. (Sorry, ladies!)

Have you seen the revival? How fun is the gender swapping and does it help make the show more relevant today?

Justin: I have not seen the revival. I don’t think the gender swap makes it any more or less relevant. 

Aref: I have not seen the revival but what I think would be a really fun gender bender would be my other song in the production – the heavy testosterone song “All I Ask of You” from “Phantom.” I would be the tormented opera singer, where I seek comfort in the arms of…Laura.

Martin: My final year of college, I actually played Bobby in Company.  I have also seen the original production as well as the revival.  To be honest, I think the show works better with the lead being a male.  The songs and the message ring truer for me that way. That said, I love to gender swap songs. It gives an artist so much more material and awards them with new possibilities and limitless interpretations.

You could drive a person crazy

You could drive a person mad

First you make a person hazy

So a person could be had

– Stephen Sondheim

Anything else you’d like to add?

Aref: This song is an interesting choice for gender bender as it is so Andrews Sisters. Wouldn’t it be fun to add some boy band style choreography?

Note from the editor: we can’t give away *all* our secrets…guess you’ll have to come see for yourself if the choreographer for this number worked in any boy band moves!

Justin: It will be fun to do.  Hopefully, the blocking will not be difficult!

Auditions for BLT’s annual stage production are usually held in January. Because of COVID-19, additional auditions for our next show will not take place until spring of 2022.

You can inquire about participation in our virtual roadshows and holiday show performances. E-mail bethesdalittletheatre@gmail.com if you’re interested!