Young Singers Hone Voices of the Future

By Harry Currie
Record Staff

The most important factor in the presentation of the review Till There Was You by The Singer's Theatre is that it happened.

Too often our demand for first rank, professional-calibre plays, musicals, concerts, and recitals, we forget that, in order to attain the standard we seek, young people have to start somewhere to learn their craft.

Unlike Topsy in Uncle Tom's Cabin, they don't just grow.

On Friday at Kitchener's Registry Theatre, six you singers, along with their teacher and a professional guest, entertained and amused a delighted audience with songs from musical theatre, operetta, a light opera, and even Nat (King) Cole, and it was one of the most refreshing evenings of light music you could wish for:

There was no guile here, no ego, no pretense, no attitude--they were honestly and openly just having a good time and sharing that with the audience. Of course it wasn't all perfect, but there were inspired flashes of perfection sprinkled through the performances from everyone, and the rest was certainly good enough to make the whole package appealing and entertaining.

The first half was a bit unsteady, partially because they hadn't found a balance between the piano accompaniment and the voices, but also because it takes a while for young performers to settle down and feel comfortable.

The Telephone Hour, from Bye Bye Birdie, was the opening piece with the six younger performers, and this was probably the weakest number in the show, with some pitch, range, and balance problems. Everything improved steadiliy from that point, and every one of the performers had special moments that showed them off well.

Paul Michael Stoia and Molly Egerdie shone in Do You Love Me? from Fiddler, Scott Campbell and Emma Guild dazzled in Papageno, Papagena from The Magic Flute, and Scott alone was outstanding when he sang In Praise of Women.

Jenna Jatzi did good work with One Boy from Bye Bye Birdie, and Michael Schatz's personality plus put One Last Kiss across.

Amanda Brunk, the vocal teacher who produced and directed the show, did a sultry job with Bill from Showboat, and professional guest Natasha Campbell demonstrated why she is an up-and-coming star soprano in her wonderful interpretations of I Feel Pretty and Till There Was You.