Suzanne Nolan Wisler | The Monroe News
Two Monroe theater groups are taking part in a global event.
Monroe Community Players and Spotlight Studio will both stage “All Together Now” Nov. 12-14.
The all-new musical by Music Theatre International was offered royalty-free to schools and theaters worldwide, as a way to kick-start local theater after months of COVID closures.
Thousands of venues in the U.S. and 40 other countries are participating and will stage “All Together Now” on the same weekend.
The high-energy show varies from theater to theater, but all include Broadway songs coupled with dancing.
Spotlight Studio
Spotlight Studio will stage “All Together Now” at 7 p.m. Nov. 12-14 at its theater, 105 E. Front St., Suite E.
The cast of 20 ranges in age from 13 to 40.
“We have an extremely talented cast,” said Daveaux Riggs, theater owner and one of the performers.
Joining her will be Jenna Reece, Lizzie Swaile, Brianna Basile, Ashley Blevins, Ava Arnold, Micah Bourbina, Andrea Vanderhorst, Kyndra Braden, Morgan Cronenwett, Sara Humphries, Samantha Gonzalez, Ashlee Kluczynski, Jaycee Wamer, Monica Gonzalez, Emilee Breitner, Kylie Jennings, Antonella Menna, Adrian Adkins and Nathan Kubik.
Each will have a time to shine.
“This is an action-packed, all singing and dancing production with one high-energy and emotionally driven song after another,” said Riggs. “In true ‘giving everyone their chance to be in the spotlight’ fashion, every single cast member has at least one featured solo moment throughout the show.”
Songs include “Be Our Guest,” “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “Middle of a Moment,” “Gimme! Gimme!,” “We’re All In This Together,” “Empty Chairs and Empty Tables,” “The New World,” “She Used to Be Mine,” “Seize The Day,” “When I Grow Up,” “Take A Chance On Me,” “Let It Go,” “Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat,” “Seasons of Love” and “You Can’t Stop The Beat.”
Monroe Community Players
Sixteen local performers will star in Monroe Community Players’ production of “All Together Now,” set from 7 p.m. Nov. 12-13 and 2 p.m. Nov. 13-14 in the Players’ space at the Mall of Monroe, 2121 N. Monroe St.
Auditions took place in August. Cast were Mary Barnas, LeeAnn Bass, Catherine Brodie, Betsy Brockman, Roxanne Cangealose, Alison Drougel, Tim Taylor, Rob Foulkrod, Krista Green, Valinda Jonas, Cassondra Kiley, Milo Miles, Emily Porter, Tara Robinson, Holly Sisung and Ellen Wannemacher.
“Everyone in this cast have been involved in musical theater as performers and directors. We are very excited to have them performing,” said Sue Sacks, show director and chorographer. “In our production, we will be in costume and using props that portray the characters from the Broadway shows.”
The approximately two hour performance will feature many songs, all with solos.
Jonas, show producer, will be Lumiere and Sisung will be Mrs. Potts for “Be Our Guest.”
Other songs and soloists are: “Back Before Time,” with a solo by Cangealose; “Junie B,” Kiley; “This is the Moment,” Taylor; “Gimme! Gimme!,” Robinson; “Spread the Love Around,” Porter; “Children Will Listen,” Brodie; “Take a Chance on Me,” Sisung; “The Café Song,” Foulkrod; “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat” and “I Dreamed a Dream,” Bass, and “Superacalifragilusticrxpialidocious,” Green.
“Supercal,” a selection from the musical “Mary Poppins,” is the most challenging, said Sacks.
“The number is fast and furious,” she said.
Macala Scully will accompany on piano.
Show sponsors are Martin & Montana and Old National Bank of Dundee.
Monroe Community Players has been preparing for “All Together Now” since late summer.
“I learned about this opportunity around the end of August. I personally thought this would be a creative, exciting project,” said Sacks. “I was also very impressed with Music Theatre International wanting to help theater groups across the nation kick-start their season after being shut down for so long.”
No royalties means a big savings.
“Royalties for a musical can run from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. There are many different factors that play into the final cost,” said Sacks.
Tickets for the Monroe Community Players’ production are $10 each. For tickets, visit www.monroecommunityplayers.org or call the MCP ticket office at (734) 241-7900.
Masks are preferred.
Next up at Spotlight Studio:
“(We are planning) Monroe’s first-ever ‘double feature’ with two original holiday productions, with a dinner break in between to go support local restaurants,” said Daveaux Riggs, theater owner.
Set for Dec. 10-12, the shows are “Sing Dance Sleigh,” a holiday song and dance revue for all ages, and “Dracula Vs. Santa Claus,” an original horror-comedy by Nathan Kubik.
Next up at Monroe Community Players:
“The Twilight of the Golds” is set for Jan. 14-15 and 21-22.
The controversial show tackles the issue of fictional genetic testing that would determine the sexual orientation of unborn children.