Theatre Night Out II

At home, various companies have staged musicals over the years, to critical acclaim. Chandelier Productions has assembled cast members of some of these musicals for Theatre Night Out II, a presentation of some of Broadway’s best music, to be held on Saturday at the Southern Academy for the performing Arts (SAPA).

Singer, actress and managing director of Chandelier Productions, Tiana Chandler talks about the upcoming show and what’s to come for the production company.

The concert is the second instalment of the Theatre Night Out series, the first of which took place at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s, in 2015, and marks the company’s third year in existence, as well as its fourth show overall. “We have some big stuff,” Chandler boasted. The ever-popular Phantom of the Opera, Disney classics, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, the jazz-influenced “folk opera” Porgy and Bess, as well as Oklahoma are among the musicals whose songs make up the diverse set list. “In putting together the programme, we chose songs that people are most familiar with –we have the Disney music, which appeals to everyone, as well as songs from less familiar musicals,” Chandler said.

“But when people hear them, they’ll be sure to catch their attention.” In terms of “less familiar musicals”, Chandler referred to relative newcomers Aida and Sister Act, classics in their own right. Aida won Trinidadian-born Heather Headley a Tony Award for her role as the titular character. Its chosen selections are bound to be a hit as they were composed by the team behind The Lion King, none other than Sirs Elton John and Tim Rice.

The Presentation College Mixed Choir will premiere its own production of Aida in October. “There’ll be a special preview performance in Theatre Night Out II,” promised Chandler, who touted the choir’s “30-plus-year history of doing musicals.” Chandler addressed the dying trend of staging full musicals locally: “Production companies are not getting as much funding, which is why I have not ventured into that field thus far,” she explained. Undaunted still, she has set her sights on staging a full-length musical in time to come, explaining that the concert is “leading up to something bigger.” The Cast The cast includes veteran Conrad Parris who continues to enjoy a decades-long career on both stage and screen. Among his acclaimed appearances was a pitch-perfect performance as Martin Luther King Jr in Mahalia, a Gospel Musical and he was seen in the films Escape from Babylon and The Cutlass.

Singer, pianist and composer Michael Hudlin topped the Caribbean in the 2014 CSEC Music exam and premiered his original work in Chandelier Productions’ A Breath of Fresh Air, held last year. In September, Hudlin makes his way to SUNY Plattsburgh to pursue a degree in music.

Versatile triple-threat, Cherysh La Touche is a graduate of the BA in Music from The University of the West Indies (UWI), and has performed in several musicals, most notably as the Fairy Godmother in the local adaptation of Cinderella, as well as pop concerts. Additionally, La Touche is skilled in modern and Caribbean dance.

C’rel Harper has performed in every Chandelier Production thus far.

With her powerful mezzo-soprano, Harper has successfully competed at Music Festival over the years.

Newcomer Kory Mendez is a member of the Lydian Singers and the Lydians Men’s Quartet. A regular soloist with the choir, Mendez can often be heard at fund-raisers and corporate events. This is his second Chandelier Production as he lent his beautiful tenor to Hudlin’s Gloria last year, as a soloist.

Nataki Lendor is a music graduate of the Caribbean Nazarene College and her powerhouse performances as the titular character in Mahalia, a Gospel Musical were enjoyed last year.

In addition to acting, Lendor also regularly performs gospel and jazz.

Paula Hamilton-Smith played the character Mildred in Mahalia and Terri in the film This Love. She is a member of Voix Riches, the St Joseph’s Convent Alumni Choir that was featured on Sekon Sta’s Kings and Queens.

Isaiah Alexander recently returned from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy of New York, where he pursued musical theatre.

A seasoned dancer, Alexander was the male lead, Bobby, in Crazy for You in 2013.

Bri Celestin will perform to the music of Theatre Night Out II.

Her soulful voice was showcased at this year’s Women in Jazz series at Fiesta Plaza, MovieTowne.

Choreography was done by Trevorn Cudjoe who was most recently seen in Two of a Kind with the Metamorphosis Dance Association.

Cudjoe is a graduate of the 2015 Summer Intensive at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York.

Accompaniment will be provided by Jessel Murray. Chandler, too, will deliver her rich soprano. When asked what it was like being the woman behind the scenes as well as a performer, she said she had to fall in line with the rest of the cast. “I don’t get to sit out of rehearsals; I’m making all the arrangement to ensure that everything on the technical and administrative side is done, but sometimes I just have to switch and join the rehearsal like everyone else.” Chandler maintains that she is committed to her goal of giving solo performers and composers a platform to showcase their talent. “I want to bring more of the younger or lesser-known performers and present them.” She pointed out that even her technical crew is made up of millennials.

“I try to keep that youth factor throughout the productions and the company on the whole, there are so many young people who have the talent to put on a big production; it’s just about finding them or having them come to you to give them a chance.” Theatre Night Out II begins at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available via chandelierproductions1@ gmail.com.