Encore Musicals is returning to its roots in early November when they present their free community revue, Another Night of Broadway, at Third Baptist Church.
In 2017, when Encore Musicals of Owensboro was formed from Back Alley Musicals, they produced their first revue and featured around 30 community members. The attendance showed the board and performers that there was a need for a community nonprofit that wasn’t strictly musicals.
After their highly successful Disney’s Beauty and the Beast summer run, the main directors and performers were ready to exhale and let others who may not have felt ready to direct an entire production to instead take a smaller director’s role, said board member Susan Dant.
“People were asked to submit a proposal for directing, their ideal cast and songs,” she said. “The board decided on the final songs.”
Dant said that some directors already had ensemble members in mind while others had vacancies that allowed up-and-coming, younger members an opportunity to perform and also put some “brand new” names in the casts.
Dant — along with Alisa Vigo, David Roberson, Preston Middleton, Grae Greer, Kevin Brown and Ronda Rodgers — are each directing their own portion of the 22-song revue, with some directing their own theirs while also performing in another’s.
With accompanists Joy Anderson and Sharon Hudson, the seven directors work with cast members on scheduled nights, and some have back-to-back rehearsals if they are part of casts and directing or in several numbers.
“I am a firm believer in protecting people’s time,” Dant said. “Most have jobs from 9-to-5, families, young families.”
Because live performances are not guaranteed with COVID, Encore decided to record the accompaniment portions in case someone was sick and the show needed to go on.
“It’s a new world; we’ve got to be prepared,” Dant said.
The different styles of direction and the combination of newer musicals as well as classics means there is something for everyone, Dant believes. Two numbers are solely local children.
“We are excited to be featuring them as well,” Dant said.
From Oklahoma to Les Miserable and from Wicked to Rent, Encore Musicals of Owensboro is hoping to pack the house for the free production.
The Nov. 4 and 5 revue is general admission and begins at 7 p.m. both nights at Third Baptist Church. To learn more about Encore Musicals of Owensboro, visit their website or Facebook page.
