9 minute read
Music of the Night
usic moves us all. We can soar away on the notes of a melody to different times and faraway places. Music has the power to transport, transform, transfix, and even translate emotion. In choosing this year’s theme for the Symphony Society’s Cabaret fundraiser, event CoChair JoAnn Frick says she selected “Music of the Night” because of her love for Phantom of the Opera and its music. It also appealed because it harkened back to the early days of the Coastal Symphony of Georgia when their major fundraiser was a cozy gathering with that same name.
EIL decided to draw on that idea of nostalgia we all feel for beloved musicals and the songs that stay with us. On these pages, in addition to JoAnn’s choice of Phantom of the Opera, you’ll find favorite Broadway musicals chosen by members of the Symphony Society, Coastal Symphony of Georgia as well as from EIL staffers. No matter what the music performed at Cabaret, we’re sure it will be wonderful, beautiful, and some enchanted evening!
Favorite of: JoAnn Frick, Co-Chair of Cabaret 2019
This beloved musical based on the French novel by Gaston Leroux features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Charles Hart. The central plot focuses on a mysterious, disfigured musical genius who lives in a subterranean labyrinth beneath the Paris Opera House and his obsession with a beautiful soprano who sings there.
Close your eyes for your eyes will only tell the truth and the truth isn't what you want to see In the dark it is easy to pretend That the truth is what it ought to be
Lyrics from “Music of the Night”
Fun Fact:
The dazzling replica of the Paris Opera House chandelier is made up of 6,000 beads consisting of 35 beads to each string. It is almost 10 feet wide and weighs one ton.
Set in Jazz Age Chicago, this American musical is based on a 1926 play of the same name by Maurine Dallas Watkins about actual criminals and crimes she had written about as a reporter. The story is a satire on the concept of the “celebrity criminal” and corruption in the administration of criminal justice. The production features music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Fosse choreographed the original production and his distinctive style is strongly identified with the show. Start the car I know a whoopee spot Where the gin is cold But the piano’s hot Lyrics from “All That Jazz”
Fun Fact:
The real-life Belva Gaertner on whom Velma Kelly was based was even tougher than she was portrayed on stage. “No woman can love a man enough to kill him. They aren’t worth it, because there are always plenty more. Walter was just a kid — 29 and I’m 38. Why should I have worried whether he loved me or whether he left me? Gin and guns – either one is bad enough, but together they get you in a dickens of a mess, don’t they?” – Belva Gaertner
Favorite of Jeanne Earle McConnell, Co-Chair of Cabaret 2019
This 1950s “modern” musical retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is set in an ethnic, blue-collar neighborhood in the Upper West Side of New York City. The dynamic and exciting show about star-crossed lovers and rival gangs featured a score with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (his first Broadway production). West Side Story has been called Bernstein’s greatest triumph in the popular field.
Could it be? Yes it could. Something’s coming, something good. If I can wait! Something’s coming, I don’t know what it is. But it is Gonna be great!
Lyrics from “Something’s Coming”
Fun Fact:
Gang rivalry was real! In order to amplify on-stage tension, choreographer Jerome Robbins separated actors playing the Jets and the Sharks, held their rehearsals in different rooms, and forbid them talking to each other or mixing off-stage. The result? Shark actors played real-life practical jokes on the Jets.
Favorite of EIL Staff
Lyrics from “The Circle of Life”
This Disney musical brings to life on stage the 1994 animated film of the same name chronicling Simba the lion’s adventures on the African savanna. With original music by Elton John, and lyrics by Tim Rice, additional music and lyrics by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, and Hans Zimmer, actors in animal costumes and giant puppets create what the New York Daily News called “a perfect marriage of entertainment and art.”
Fun Fact:
It took more than 37,000 hours of work by expert mask makers, sculptors, puppeteers and artisans to create the mesmerizing animal masks and puppets for the show. Despite its small size, the most complicated puppet in the show is Zazu the bird.
Favorite of Michael Frick, President of Coastal Symphony of Georgia
Les Misérables (often shortened to Les Mis or Les Miz), is the musical stage adaption (and thankfully, condensation) of the 1862 novel by French poet and novelist Victor Hugo. This story of dreams, love, passion, sacrifice, redemption and the strength of the human spirit set in the backdrop of 19th century France is the world’s longest running musical. Music by Claude-Michel Schonberg, lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel (French version), and Herbert Kretzmer (English version).
Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me? Somewhere beyond the barricade Is there a world you long to see?
Lyrics from “Can You Hear the People Sing”
Fun Fact:
The image of Cosette used for the iconic logo of the Les Misérables musical is based on an etching by Gustave Brion, which is in turn from an illustration by Émile Bayard (1837–1891) for the first edition of the book.
Favorite of EIL Staff
The 2004 biography Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow was the inspiration for this American musical with music, lyrics, and book by Lin-Manuel Miranda. In a refreshing and inventive twist, the era of this country’s Founding Fathers and our fiery revolutionary past is told through song and rap.
Let me tell you what I wish I’d known When I was young and dreamed of glory
You have no control, who lives, who dies, Who tells your story?
Lyrics from “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story”
Fun Fact:
In 2015, the US Treasury announced plans to replace Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill with Harriet Tubman. However, due to the overwhelming success of the musical and the resulting revitalized interest in Hamilton, the Treasury decided to change the $20 bill instead.
Favorite of John Harper, President of Symphony Society
Two short stories (“The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown” and “Blood Pressure”) as well as characters and plot twists from other stories by Damon Runyon were the inspiration for this musical comedy that takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafés of Havana. Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows.
Fun Fact:
A great big wave came and washed me overboard! And as I sank and I hollered “Someone save me!” That’s the moment I woke up, thank the lord And I said to myself, sit down, Sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat!
Lyrics from ‘Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat”
In 1898, at the age of 14, writer Damon Runyon enlisted in the U.S. Army to fight in the Spanish-American War. After his return from the Philippines, he began a career as a newspaper and short story writer. He’s credited with the syndicated article proclaiming the 1933 inauguration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and with giving boxer James J. Braddock the moniker “Cinderella Man.”
2019
What good is sitting alone in your Room? Come hear the Music Play Life is a Cabaret, old Chum Come to the Cabaret!
The Symphony Society invites you to heed the call from that popular 1966 Broadway classic and come to Cabaret 2019 on February 2 at The Greenhouse on St. Simons Island. Your patronage of this event supports the Coastal Symphony of Georgia and its goal of providing world class music to the Golden Isles. The night will include a sumptuous three-course catered dinner and a sureto-be-memorable musical performance in an intimate setting.
The night’s entertainment will be provided by California recording artist Nick Palance, who has been hailed by critics as the new “American Bocelli” for his vocal talent. No stranger to Broadway productions himself, Nick starred in the lead role of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and has also toured with the Canadian Tenors. He will be performing a wide array of songs that will appeal to music lovers and stir those feelings of nostalgia. There’s even a very special and dramatic tribute to Phantom of the Opera planned that you won’t want to miss.
Of course, the live and silent auctions are always a huge attraction and highlight of this annual event. This year, the silent auction includes unique and eclectic offerings that include wonderful works of art, generous gift certificates, wines of the world, and a collection of top shelf bourbon that will allow you to take a trip down the Kentucky Bourbon Trail from the comfort of your own home. If real travel is what you’d prefer, there are trips to Tuscany and Capri in the live auction, as well as Nick Palance, a “glamping” trip on Little
Guest Performer Raccoon Key. Reserve individual or patron seating by visiting coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org and join your friends in this evening of fun, fine food, and fellowship presented by the Symphony Society. With your support, the music of the night will continue to live on through the Coastal Symphony of Georgia.
Softly, deftly, music shall caress you Hear it, fear it, secretly possess you …
