Director Kelli Foster Warder, who is also the director of education at the Ordway, notes in the program: "These performers have come together to curate an evening of songs from ground-making Broadway musicals that shine a light on revolutionary moments in time. Throughout this process, we have been reminded of the power of stories and storytellers in our communities and on our stages." Now, more than ever, I look to artists and the arts for healing, connection, and empathy in a world where those things feel like they're slipping away. Each of the seven performers talk about a musical or a moment that meant something to them, and in some way changed them, inspired them, or simply allowed them to be more themselves. In between the stories we heard some gorgeous performances of songs from some of my favorite musicals, including RENT, Hair, Urinetown, Ragtime, The Color Purple, Into the Woods, and more.
Another thing that's remained consistent through the Broadway Songbook and Ordway Cabaret series is the incomparable Raymond Berg as music director, accompanist, and arranger (turning solos into duets, duets into group harmonies, and knowing when to let the song remain pure and simple). Everyone in this cast is a star in their own right, and all of them shared some personal and moving stories of their journey to where they are now:
- Aimee K. Bryant talked about seeing her favorite musical Once on this Island last year, her surprise at finding out that one of her favorites in the show is trans, and what that says about the assumptions and biases we all have. She also reprised her role as Celie in The Color Purple for one tears- and chills-inducing song.
- Brianna Graham was inspired by performing in Hair (with 7th House Theatre six years ago) to join the Black Lives Matter movement, realizing the power of protest and speaking up for your beliefs.
- David Carey spoke about how musical theater moved him in his role as a parent and grandparent, specifically songs about how important it is to pass on to our children the best of us, and not pass on the worst of us (South Pacific's "You've Got to be Carefully Taught" and "Children will Listen" from Into the Woods).
- Deidre Cochran sees parallels between the student protests in Les Miserables, and the student protests in our own world that have been so inspiring the last few years.
- Asian American actor Hope Nordquist relayed the assumptions and limitations she faces in casting rooms, and how she learned that just being herself is a form of protest.
- John Jamison shared the life-changing moment of discovering Broadway actor Billy Porter (whom he really does resemble), the out and proud gay black male role model he needed.
- La Cage aux Folles is the musical that reminds Max Wojtanowicz, and all of us, that we are at our best when we are who we are.
All in all it was a highly entertaining and moving 90 minutes of music, theater, and stories. I'm looking forward to the next one.
The Ordway is an exciting place to be for fans of musical theater. They've got four Ordway Original productions coming up in the next 16 months (42nd Street, Smokey Joe's Cafe, the new musical Ever After of which I saw a sneak peek and am very excited to see, and Groundhog Day) as well as tours of two of the inspiring musicals mentioned above (Once on this Island and The Color Purple). Not to mention a number of special events and concerts (including the legendary Rita Moreno!). Check out the full list of performances here, and see you in St. Paul!