Music
of a golden era
By Radhika Dandeniya
The musical extravaganza "Spring time on 5th Avenue"
is set to take Colombo music lovers by storm when it goes on
the boards at the Lionel Wendt from May 3 to 5.
 The
concert will feature a montage of American musical hits, in
which the glitz and glamour of some of Broadway's best loved
productions will be recreated for local audiences. Look forward
to instrumental and vocal numbers from 'Buddy Holly', 'Grease',
and 'Oklahoma'.
Well-known
producer Jith Pieris is the man instrumental in putting on
this show which celebrates the Golden Age of American music.
After spending two years in America where he involved himself
in theatre productions, he says he became "very fascinated"
with its musicals. "American musicals have been so close
to my heart over the years," he remarked with a smile.
Performing
artistes include Penny Ferdinand, who will be opening the
Broadway revival with a medley of Ella Fitzgerald's favourites
such as 'Paper Moon' and 'Mack the Knife'. Penny chose to
do this act herself as she regards Fitzgerald as "the
sensation of an era". Penny is not new to the spotlight,
having had experience in singing and drama along with fellow
performer and good friend Shanelle Fernando. Shanelle will
also contribute to the show with renditions of songs by Frank
Sinatra and Nat King Cole.
Both Penny
and Shanelle now live abroad and continue their theatre work
as a hobby. Penny who is a barrister says that whenever she
and Shanelle are in Sri Lanka they always try to perform,
and adds how determined she is to keep up her "arty side".
The programme not only features music, but also dances by
the Deanna School of Dancing. A troupe from the Asian International
School trained by dance instructor Yoshita Abeysekera, add
to the dancing programme with their dynamic rendition of 'Show
Business'.
Other
highlights of the show are a duet of the current worldwide
hit "Something Stupid", musical acts from the West
End and a touch of classical music provided by violinist Neluka
Seneviratne and keyboard wizard Beverly Rodrigo.
On a more
contemporary or up-beat note, Penny and Shanelle along with
Sanjeev and Krishan Jayarathnam will pay a tribute to Abba
from the West-End musical 'Mama Mia'. Like the girls, Sanjeev
and his brother Krishan have had their share of the stage
from their school days, having been involved in musicals in
Colombo such as 'West Side Story'. "When Jith asked us
to join in the concert, we said that it would be a pleasure!"
exclaims Sanjeev. Commenting on the concert itself he says,
"It's fun to have it on this theme; most musicals are
quite fun anyway."
Mr. Pieris
hopes to attract people of all ages, especially the young,
for he hopes that they will start to appreciate the music
that has had such a significant influence worldwide. He also
adds that there seems to have been a "global revival"
of all old musicals.
Spring
Time on Fifth Avenue is sponsored by TNL and The Sunday Times.
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