The MEG Foundation, the group that is restoring the old Marleah E. Graves Elementary School in Cliftondale, to be used as the Saugus Cultural Arts Center, hosted a performance of From Broadway to Hollywood, A Musical Journey from Stage to Screen. Presented in cooperation with the Theatre Company of Saugus, the fundraiser was on Friday 7 March 2008, at the VFW Hall in Saugus. The doors opened at 6:00 PM for drinks and refreshments, and the show went on at 7:30 PM. All proceeds benefited the MEG Foundation and will be used toward the cost of providing a new heating plant for the MEG building.
In addition to a selection of the outstanding musical numbers from the Broadway to Hollywood revue, many familiar faces were be featured. Special cameo appearances by well-known Saugonians were added to the festivities, which was hosted by Master of Ceremonies Jay Smolinsky. Among the locals who performed were Pastor Bob LeRoe. Members of the Board of Selectmen performed When Irish Eye Are Smiling, although none of them are Irish.
Click here for an article and video about the fundraiser from the Saugus Advertiser.
From Broadway to Hollywood, A Musical Journey from Stage to Screen, is the title of the song and dance revue first presented by the Theatre Company of Saugus in January 2008. The show features 22 musical numbers, all of which were originally presented in Broadway musicals that were later filmed in Hollywood.
The song solos, duets, ensembles, and dance numbers are chosen from a list of 21 shows. The shows represented include: Annie, Anything Goes, Applause, Bye Bye Birdie, Cabaret, Carnival, Chicago, A Chorus Line, Damn Yankees, Easter Parade, 42nd Street, Funny Girl, Girl Crazy, How to Succeed in Business, Kiss Me Kate, Mame, Oklahoma, Rent, Singin’ in the Rain, Sound of Music, and West Side Story. (Click here for a comprehensive list of stage and movie musicals and songs.)
The revue is cconceived and directed by Leo Nickole, emeritus professor of musical theatre at Emerson College. Musical direction is by Nancy Lemoine, drama and choral director at Saugus High School. The choreographer is Terri Bater, the stage manager is Mary Moffett, and the production is coordinated by Joanne Fafard and Hank Zappala.
The cast of 37 performers includes dozens of community theatre veterans, and ranging in age from six to seventy. Many are residents of Saugus, including: Sarah Belliveau, Brian Cipoletta, Rosemary Degregorio, Autumn and Brian Dion, the Fafard family (Alexis, Amanda Allen, Ashleigh, Bill, and William), Renee Glowacki, Tess Hannify, Bobby and Sarah Imperato, Carolina Lanney, David Picariello, Tanya Portalla, Sabrina and Sherri Raftery, Sarah Thibodeau, and James Wlodyka.
Performers from other towns include: Jim and Maria Angelini from Rockport; Bernie Baldassaro of Peabody; Nicholas Beach, Nathan Goulart-Pasco, and Yvonne Goulart from Revere; Kai Chao and Tiffany White from Lynn; Mike Davis of Medford; Joseph Guglielmo from Marblehead; Ginny Leblanc of Swampscott; Maureen Pilot of Reading; Larry Segel from Winthrop; and Stephen Russo of Winchester.
From Broadway to Hollywood was originally presented on the weekend of 10-13 January 2008. All the performances except one were sold out. The show was the first of the Theatre Company’s 40th season.
Theatre Company of Saugus 