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ringing out the best...
SO YOU’RE HUNGRY? — A great performance of the song “Oliver” from the Lionel Bart’s musical, “Oliver.” Photos by Sam Williams
Best of Broadway kicks off another spectacular season SUSANVILLE’S BEST OF BROADWAY has blossomed into an annual sold out event the people of Lassen County anticipate each spring, and after 14 years it’s having a great run. Founder Julie Newton says she began the Best of Broadway Concert Series so her daughter, Jessica would have a place to sing, dance and perform. The concert series has just finished its 13th season and Jessica has seen all but one. However, she started
choreographing the dances when she was 16 and became a show director at age 20. The Newtons are consummate performers, but the key element of the show is the care the mother/ daughter duo and the rest of the board of the 501 (C) 3 organization take in mentoring future performers, dancers, singers, choreographers and directors. In the 2011-2012 season new singers and choreographers had their shot at making Best of Broadway
SONG AND DANCE — These girls perform “Heaven Hop” from the Cole Porter musical “Anything Goes.”
Lassen County Visitors Guide 2012-13
have another stellar year. Because there are more than 100 people involved in the show, many seasoned performers are assigned to oversee different segments of the show, so when opening night comes, well-rehearsed talent entertains the audience the first Friday in March. Another big reason to keep the show going is its relationship with the Veterans Memorial Hall. In 2000 the vision between the hall managers and Julie was tight. They would supply use of the hall for practices, some storage and the two weekends for the show and in turn the concert series would help renovate the hall, which had been scheduled for demolition. Newton said she invested thousands of dollars in sound and light gear and other improvements to the Veterans Memorial Hall. Her purpose was to bring the Veterans Memorial Hall back to life and make it something of value to the community and a place for organizations to use for performances. The Susanville Symphony Society, Susanville Theatre Company, Lassen County Arts Council, Joan’s Dance Studio and J and J Performing Arts have all used the facility. Each year, the Best of Broadway Concert Series puts some of its profits into updating the memorial hall. Best of Broadway also shares
its lighting and sound with other productions that use the memorial hall, such as the Susanville Symphony Swing Band, the Ed Susanville Show, the Susanville Theatre Company and many dance recitals such as J and J Performing Arts and Joan’s Studio of Dance. Each year the board of directors chooses the theme and songs for the next year’s performances. Tryouts are in November and rehearsals start right after Christmas with six shows beginning the first two weekends of March. There are four nighttime shows and two matinees. Besides all the dedication of the stage performers and backstage workers, Newton said the show would not have made it so many years without the support of parents, grandparents and contributions of so many people and businesses such as Billington Ace Hardware, Margie’s Book Nook, The Lassen County Arts Council, KSUE and JDX, the Lassen County Times, friends, family and past volunteers. Through music, song and dance, its goals are to entertain, educate and inspire local children, youth and adults. The Best of Broadway concert series is a Lassen County entertainment tradition! Information on Best of Broadway can be found on susanvillebestofbroadway.com. ❖
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