From Broadway to University Way

Central Theatre Ensemble is preparing to present the annual Red Curtain Broadway Revue from Thursday, Nov. 19 to Sunday, Nov. 22.

It will be an evening full of music and laughter featuring Broadway hits.

This year, the Red Curtain Broadway Revue will showcase numbers from Matilda, Sister Act, The Little Mermaid, 42nd Street, Mary Poppins and more.

Maddie Dugan, junior musical theater major, is part of multiple group numbers in the show.

According to Dugan, there is a lot of artistic collaboration that goes into the show, and a lot of experience is gained from working with a large group of people.

Dugan’s favorite piece in the show is the song “Raise Your Voice” from Sister Act.

”I have a featured part in the song ‘Raise Your Voice,’ where I get to be a rapping nun…I literally rap in Latin. It’s pretty great,” Dugan said.

The Red Curtain Broadway Revue is unique since the whole process is run by students. They direct the show, put together the sound and lighting system, make the costumes and do the acting and singing.

Onalee Duhrkoop, sophomore special education major, is a performer and student director for the show.

According to Duhrkoop, being a student director is a lot of work, but it’s fun since they get to create their own vision for a song.

“We get to cast our numbers, choreograph and direct them,” Duhrkoop said. “It’s also cool ‘cause we then work with students who light design our show to create a vision for our individual numbers. Our students are doing the microphones, sound, lighting, set and crew work.”

Duhrkoop directed a song from the musical adaptation of the movie “Ghost.”

“I enjoyed getting to put my own twist on it and look forward to having audiences see both mine and everyone else’s hard work,” Duhrkoop said.

The Red Curtain Broadway Revue allows students the most artistic freedom they can have in a show.

Students run and are the drive behind the show, but faculty director Terri Brown and choreographer Megan Smith help them mold and shape the final product, Dugan said.

Students have been rehearsing since the beginning of October. A lot of time and hard work has been put in by the students involved with the show.

James Tyler, junior musical theater major, is involved in the performance aspect of the show.

“I think you should come see the show. We’ve been working really hard and it really an enjoyable time,” Tyler said. “You’ll have a smile on your face from start to finish, and you’ll get to see what our program really accomplishes.”

The Red Curtain Broadway Revue offers a variety of songs, and there is somethings for everyone, Dugan said.

“We really did a great job at collaborating with such a huge amount of people, and it really shows when you are watching the performance,” Dugan said. “There is such a range of high energy songs, emotional ballads, and goofy numbers. I think it is worth every penny to come see this show.”

The Red Curtain Broadway Revue will open on Nov. 19 and run through Nov. 22 in McConnell Auditorium.

“Some [songs] will make you laugh, cry, and even desire to get out of your seat and dance with us,” Duhrkoop said. “This show is so fun for both performers and audience alike, definitely worth seeing.”