Review: MUSICAL MONDAY Hits New Heights in Kansas City

Nine of the finest voices in Kansas City Theater made their way to the stage of the Off Center Theatre on September 8 to appear on Musical Monday and presented the audience with a night that will not be forgotten. Musical Monday began with only a handful of entertainers, Tim Scott, Jeremy Watson, and Chad Gerlt among a few others, with no microphones performing for a small audience. Over the last six seasons, the popularity of the show has caused Musical Theater Heritage to add a second night Tuesday September 9 to the schedule.

Several songs stood out in the evenings performance; Lauren Braton's wonderful rendition of "Mad Hatter," Judy Simmons very amusing "Weekend of a Private Secretary" by Johnny Mercer, and Ben Gulley's strong powerful voice singing "Bravo Stomboli." After the song George Harter said, "There is nothing quite like having an opera singer at Musical Monday."

In each production of Musical Monday, a lottery is drawn and two people are invited to sing one song during the program. This lottery gives emerging artist an opportunity to showcase their talents. In Act I Emma Marston took the stage as the first of the lottery winners. Her performance of "Toll" was phenomenal and according to one patron, "The best performance of a lottery singer ever." Act II brought lottery winner Darcy Hingula, the 11 year-old who wowed the audience with her performance. According to Tim Scott, the emcee, Hingula was the youngest lottery winner to appear on the Musical Monday stage.

Act 1 ended with a duet by Lauren Braton and Katie Karel performing the song, "Defying Gravity." This performance was not only enchanting; it cast a spell of awe over the audience. As Braton finished the last note accompanied by members of the cast the audience took to their feet for a well-deserved standing ovation. At intermission one member of the audience proclaimed, "That first act was the greatest I've ever seen."

Act II began with Julie Shaw, Jessalyn Kincaid, Sara Kennedy, and other members of the cast of Hands on a Hardbody, now playing at the Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, joining Tim Scott on stage. They performed the opening number of the musical, complete with choreography.

The second act was wonderfully energetic, with several moments of humor wrapped within the program. Other members of the cast include Taylor Avazpour, Christopher Carlson, Seth Golay, and Molly Denninghoff.

Musical Monday has a rare second showing on Tuesday September 9 at the Off Center Theatre in Crown Center. Purchase tickets by calling 816-545-6000 or by visiting the Musical Theater Heritage website. Photographs courtesy of Musical Theater Heritage.