STOS has an enviable reputation for producing top class musical theatre year on year, and West Side Story was no exception.
This brings with it the annual question … “How on earth do we top that?” and I think I am right in saying that the choice of next year’s show is always the most difficult one that your committee has to make.
For 2012 your committee were very clear with its objectives. We felt that we needed a show with something for everyone. A great, score, scope for big production numbers with dancing and lots of singing, as well as the "wow factor", whatever that is?
Our 2012 show has all these things in abundance.
We have the music of Alan Menken whom we are familiar with from Beauty and the Beast, we have a cast of around 30 named characters, both sexes, with opportunities for all ages, children to pensioners. A great score, fantastic sets and the scope to introduce special effects and staging that no amateur society has so far attempted on the Lyceum stage.
Add to this the vibrant and new production team of Mark Feakins as Director and the established talents of Claire Harriott as our choreographer, we can promise a year of new challenges, hard work and the huge reward that goes with it. Our MD has been appointed but we need to delay the announcement of that name until further administrative processes are completed. Be assured that it is a powerful and creative trio.
Mark's name will be familar to many. He has over 20 years of professional experience creating and developing theatre, as actor, stage manager, director and producer. His time with Sheffield Theatres as Executive Producer culminated with The Crucible Awakes event that STOS was part off. This breadth of experience has given him a unique insight into all aspects of theatre making. His initial thoughts on our production choice are very exciting.
Claire is an established choreographer who can create challenging and fun to rehearse routines. She is very excited to be working on our 2012 production.
So, after much work and deliberation STOS are proud to announce that the 2012 show ( 13th - 17th November ), will be the Sheffield premiere of…
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
The Musical
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Lynn Aherns
A spectacular show with the full Broadway treatment, that ran for 10 years at Madison Square Garden.
The show is a reworking of the timeless Dickens classic that has been given an American treatment. Our task will be to bring it back closer to the spirit of Dickens original ghost story
There are some really meaty parts for us to get our teeth into as well as some rousing chorus numbers that will allow us to show off the STOS singing and dancing talent. We are in for a truly magical show, full of ghoulish tension and spectacle, with a large ensemble that will include a broad spectrum of the society.
The Menken/Ahrens score is filled with beautiful melodies and emotional lyrics. In fact, their song A Place Called Home has become a standard. If you download the CD ensure you get the correct version.
Follow the link below for more information and a taste of the music…
www.mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000245
or to buy a copy of the recommended CD from Amazon, follow this link.
See you all at the AGM in April and at the start of the new rehearsal season.
David Streeter
Chairman & Treasurer