Legendary Broadway comes to the stage
Performers will not only share the songs of Broadway but their memories as well at upcoming performances at Croft Farm Arts Center.
Joe Marrella of Marlton is developing and directing "Broadway Memories," a production that will feature Broadway songs, histories of the shows from which they are taken and personal memories of the performers.
The leads in the production are Greg Harr and his wife Erica Scanlon Harr, who is a former Miss New Jersey.
The show will be performed June 5 and 6.
"Even if they're familiar with names of the shows, they may not know the history of what was happening in that time period and how the composers and writers felt," said Marrella. "In "South Pacific,' it's really about racial overtones and the conflict of the show is about accepting people of different races."
"Sometimes when you bring together different information about (the show), it enhances the show and your understanding of it," Marrella continued. "It gives you a better frame of reference to what you're listening to and watching. For me, and hopefully for the audience, it enhances the overall experience."
Marrella said he hopes the audience will identify with personal stories of theater memories and will think back to the first time they heard a Gershwin tune or saw a live show.
"Broadway Memories" is being presented by the township's arts board, which has been trying to integrate more theater into its yearly roster of visual arts and music events.
"We try to find something very community-friendly," said Megan Brown, the township's liaison to the Arts Advisory Board and assistant director of recreation. "We want as many people to take advantage of it as possible."
IF YOU GO
- "Broadway Memories' will be presented at 8 p.m. June 5 and 3 p.m. June 6 at Croft Farm Arts Center, 100 Bortons Mill Road, Cherry Hill. Tickets are $15 and $12 for Gold Card members. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Cherry Hill Arts Board at (856) 661-4810 or Arts@CHTownship.com.