Bright lights of Broadway shine on campus performance, dinner
February 22, 2010
The lullabies of Broadway could be heard echoing in the Student Center Grand Ballroom Friday night through the voices of UK students.
Rows of round tables decorated in white gowns were circled with flutes of mock champagne as audience members enjoyed classic tunes while enjoying a unique dinning experience.
“A Night on Broadway,” featuring music by the UK Choristers, entertained a sold-out crowd at its second annual performance. The program featured songs from popular Broadway shows such as “Match Maker” from “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Easy Street” from “Annie.” Act one began with songs from the 1940s and progressed to present day.
UK Dinning Services paired with the School of Music to develop different song-inspired dishes. The meal corresponding with the musical “Carousel” consisted of smoked rainbow trout salad with baby greens in a puff pastry. Colorful Thai-dyed chicken went along with the musical “Hair,” and all dishes were created by executive chef Scott Kohn.
Doctoral students Samuel Miller and Brock Terry directed this year’s and last year’s show to give undergraduate students an opportunity to showcase their talent. Terry said many of the choristers carry their talent from high school to the college level.
“Many of these students were leads in their high schools plays,” Terry said.
Despite feeling nervous, vocal freshman Emily Owens said she had fun participating in the showcase. Owens had a solo in the song “You’re Just in Love” from “Call Me Madam.”
As the music program at UK continues to grow, Terry, who played piano in the show, said he was excited that a larger pool of talent was interested in this year.
The UK Choristers, made up of mostly freshmen and sophomores, do various performances throughout the semester. Miller and Terry said they hope they can keep bringing events like “A Night on Broadway” to campus to showcase the talent of UK students.
