Get ready for a taste of — well, almost everything.
That’s the feel of the upcoming Saskatoon Summer Players (SSP) production Building Broadway, the mid-season cabaret-slash-revue-slash-variety-show loaded with musical hits you’ll love and recognize and some that might be new.
The show runs at The Refinery from Feb. 20 to 22, featuring a plethora of performances generated from submissions by local choreographers and directors. And the community jumped at the chance to put the ideas bouncing around inside their heads onto the stage.
“For me, this is the ultimate creative space,” said Mykaela Mennie, one of the choreographers for the production. “When I’m helping choreograph a show, I have to fit within the director’s vision. With this show, we got to choose anything in the world of musical theatre, no matter how big the idea was. It brings me such joy.”
The mid-season show for SSP has often built on the cabaret-style performance, drawing songs from a variety of different musical theatre sources. This year’s show has put much of the creative power directly into the community’s hands, adding a level of excitement for the cast and the audience alike.
“I love the variety show. It’s so much fun to see one thing on stage and then the next piece is something completely different. It’s an adventure for the cast and the audience,” said Pearl Barnes, one of the performers in this year’s show.
SSP is building off the recent success of The Wedding Singer at the Broadway Theatre in the fall, and will bring in a big cast of adults and children alike in its upcoming production of Oliver! set to take place this summer at the Remai Arts Centre.
And for SSP, the cast and creative team for its shows, including Building Broadway, are volunteers from the community.
“Building Broadway reminds us that SSP is not only a producing organization, but a creative home,” SSP executive director Kenn McLeod said. “One where participation matters, passion is encouraged, and our community continues to grow by making theatre together.”
Building Broadway runs from Feb. 20-22 at The Refinery. Tickets can be found online at saskatoonsummerplayers.ca.
