Bravo Bravissimo!

BROADWAY: Big, familiar numbers from popular shows will make up the program for fundraiser Bravo Bravissimo, to be staged n October. Picture by Peter K Burian

FAMILIAR numbers from big Broadway and West End shows are planned for Bravo Bravissimo, a musical theatre fundraiser for the Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society.

The brainchild of Hugo McGuinness, the show is scheduled for October but planning is already under way. Rehearsals begin next month.

Chris Reynolds will take on the role of musical director, McGuinness has taken on the role of producer, while dancer Leanne Murphy brings her years of experience in jazz, hip hop, ballet, tap and musical theatre to her part as choreographer.

Finding Murphy was a matter of serendipity, says McGuinness.

“My wife was talking about the show to a sales assistant in a clothes shop in Havelock North. The shop assistant said he knew a good choreographer.”

McGuinness texted Murphy and the dancer got on board with the show and the cause.

Bryan Aitken, the director for Musical Theatre Gisborne’s 2016 production of Hairspray, will direct Bravo Bravissimo.

After performing in Hairspray, McGuinness wanted to acknowledge his sister-in-law who has lived with cancer for about six years.

“She inspired me,” says McGuinness.

“The theme we’re going for in Bravo Bravissimo is ‘everyone is OK’.”

The name of the charitable production comes from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical adaption of Phantom of the Opera.

Christine, the young singer Erik the Phantom falls in love with, delivers a grand performance. She hears the Phantom congratulate her with the words “bravo bravissimo”.