July 21
Broadway’s bright lights will shine at the St. Johns City Park Performance Shell July 21 when talented singers perform familiar favorites and new show tunes at the weekly Concert in the Park summer music series.
The two-part “Broadway Night” show opens with popular local duo, Tom and Beth Webb, offering up some classic showtime standards.
“We’re excited to take part in the evening of Broadway music,” Beth says. “It’s always fun to look through the music we have and make choices about what we will be singing.”
The couple has chosen several new songs this year from the musical, Ragtime, among others, and are eager to bring back some of the favorites they’ve done in past years.
Beth and Tom are also thrilled to have their friend, Diantha Naftali, accompany them again this year.
“The fact that she takes time out of her schedule and travels from Traverse City to do this means so much to us,” Tom says.
Naftali is a well-known musician who spent many years in St. Johns as the organist at the First Congregational Church, as well as accompanying numerous St. Johns High School students throughout the years.
Brand new Broadway tunes along with hilarious theatrics close out the evening in the second half of “Broadway Night.” Student performers from the Mint City Players will provide a sneak preview of scenes from the upcoming production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” The Tony award-winning musical is fresh off the national tour, recently closing on Broadway after nearly 1,200 performances.
“This is not a show you want to miss,” director Ashley Bowen says about the musical that runs July 22-24 in the Wilson Center auditorium. “We’ve been laughing continuously in rehearsals and know that audiences will enjoy this musical. The cast includes both past and current performers from the St. Johns High School Theatre Department.”
The double-dose of Broadway music begins at 7 p.m.; no admission charge.
Concert in the Park is sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council and the city of St. Johns, with support from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Concerts are held each Wednesday evening in the beautiful outdoor concert venue at the St. Johns City Park. The St. Johns Lions and Lioness Club staff a concession stand each week that offers light refreshments. All concerts are held rain or shine.
For information on Concert in the Park call the Clinton County Arts Council, (989) 224-2429, or visit www.clintoncountyarts.org or www.ci.saint-johns.mi.us