Brilliantly Broadway: A Brand New Day

By Faith Nguyen, Copy Editor​

Courtesy of PAULAPICTURES

On Sep. 20 and 21, Kennedy High held its first choir show for the 2019-20 school year in the Kennedy Performing Arts Center (KPAC). “Brilliantly Broadway,” is a title that speaks for itself. With a diverse setlist, eye-catching costumes, and exciting choreography, this performance certainly stood out from past shows. “A Brand New Day” redefines the Kennedy Singers’ reputation as brighter and bolder than ever.

“Brilliantly Broadway” marks the first Kennedy choir show directed by Janae West. West, an award-winning musical theater and show choir producer, decided to implement a number of changes to the usual show routine.

For the past few years, it has been a tradition to have the same opening and closing number, last year’s dedicated song being “Someone in the Crowd” from the movie “La La Land.” “Brilliantly Broadway” broke this custom, opening with the number “Live in Living Color” from the show “Catch Me if You Can” and closing with “A Brand New Day” from “The Wiz.” The energetic, animated opening prepared the audience for the lively show to follow; rather than closing with the same high energy song, “A Brand New Day” left the night full of nostalgia and sentiment, with all choir levels performing together.

Another notable change was in each song’s time length. While in the past, a couple of lines may have been cut, it was unlikely that entire verses were skipped. However, almost every song in “Brilliantly Broadway” was shortened.

“I typically will cut the second verse of a song just to have it run and flow,” West said. “I really like to keep a fast-paced moving show to really capture the audience.”

Within the production, group numbers ranged far and wide, from humorous to flirtatious to passionate. After lights were dimmed following the number “Steal Your Rock and Roll,” not only were the performers breathless— the song itself involving major musical theater-esque choreography— but audience members too.

“I did not know people could sing like that at this school,” junior Alyssa Vrieze said.

This production included many group songs that left the house in awe but seemed to find a near-perfect medium between ‘serious’ and ‘fun’ numbers. Audience members certainly enjoyed the all boy’s version of “Sherry,” including senior Lukas Marvin’s fantastic showcase of a falsetto, and choir group, “The Ambassadors,” peppy rendition of “Farmer Tan,” in which groups of girls would fall head over heels for a lifeguard’s summer shirt tans.

Eight students had the opportunity to join, not only spirited group numbers but also emotion-filled solos. Like the group numbers, genres varied greatly between the solos. From Marvin’s serenade to a bloodthirsty plant to Catrina Thomen’s tear-jerking rendition of “She Used to be Mine,” every solo served greatly to expose a new aspect of musical theater. 

“I’ve never actually had a solo song before,” Marvin said. “I definitely recommend trying out for one, it helped me step out of my comfort zone.”

The rest of the 2019-20 school year will consist of three more shows: the traditional Christmas show, a pop show, and one theme left undecided. Be sure to check out what the Kennedy Singers have in store!