Like an old friend we’ve not seen for far too long, the Iola Community Theatre is back, and with a flourish.
In its first public performance in nearly two years, ICT fittingly brings forth a medley of toe-tapping and frequently heart-touching songs with “All Together Now!”
The production was developed by Music Theatre International as a global event celebrating local theater. Iola’s showing is one of more than 2,500 around the globe performing the same musical revue this week.
And you’ll be hard-pressed to find a production with as much flair — or heart — as the assorted show tunes and ballads coming to the ICT Warehouse stage tonight through Monday.
An ensemble of ICT veterans is joined with a talented batch of newcomers itching to dust off their vocalizers through song.
And each gets a chance to shine.
Sam Terhune sets a rollicking tone for the evening with the opening number, the all too appropriate “Be Our Guest,” from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”
Newcomer Kate Schroeder gets a chance to shine on multiple occasions. First, she joins ICT stage vets Jessica Quinhones and Sara Joy Standage with the uproarious “Matchmaker” from “Fiddler on the Roof.” Then, she takes center stage on a pair of ensemble pieces, first with “The Human Heart,” alongside Mandy Moyer, Standridge and Shelli Sinclair; and later with the unforgettable “My Fair Lady” piece “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly.”
Standridge also delivers a powerful rendition of “She Used To Be Mine” from “Waitress,” a tale of a woman trapped in an abusive relationship, lamenting her life’s choices.
Speaking of powerful, Sinclair joins Sam Terhune with a touching duet, “Stop the World,” a song from the 9/11-inspired musical “Come From Away.”
And Kate Terhune is indelible with “Children Will Listen” from “Into The Woods,” the musical that examines what happens with happily ever after from assorted fairy tales.
LEST one think “All Together Now!” is purely driven by female leads, the males take full advantage of their time on stage.
Nic Olson, who starred in a number of high school and college shows, makes his ICT debut with great flair, including a show-stopping “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ The Boat” from the classic musical, “Guys and Dolls.”
ICT mainstay Paul Vernon’s “This Is The Moment” is a powerful piece as well, from the musical adaptation of the classic horror tale “Jekyll & Hyde.”
THERE’S PLENTY of entertainment for younger audiences as well.
Nine youngsters, all ICT newcomers, fill the stage with exuberance and melody.
