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n A # € z 7 £ 2 a & Z 2 =T‘ * s 10 & < 3 Toeâ€"tapping treat launches 2004 season ne of the bestâ€"loved OBroadwa_v musicals of allâ€"time. the song and dance extravaganza 42nd Street is dazzling audiâ€" ences at the Drayton Festiâ€" val Theatre for five weeks until June 5. chorus girl with big showbiz dreams joyfully kicks off the theatre‘s 14th season. This classic rags to riches tale about a smallâ€"town selected the show is because it‘s truly musical theatre at its finest." says Alex Musâ€" takas, artistic director of Drayton Entertainment. "It‘s a timeless. feelâ€"good piece, which is something I think people need now more than Freshâ€"faced and innoâ€" cent, Peggy Sawyer arrives in New York from Allenâ€" town, Pa. looking for her big break. But when nerves get the best of her, she misses her audition â€" and her chance to be a star. Or so After an impromptu dance session, Julian Marsh, the "King of Broadway". hires Peggy for the Chorus of Pretty Lady starring fading diva Dorothy Brock. When the lead actress litâ€" erally breaks a leg during rehearsal. the production is hobbled and faces an uncerâ€" tain future. The cast believes that Peggy is the only one who can save the show and step into the lead role. Time is against her, and Peggy only has 36 hours to learn 25 pages of dialogue. six songs, and 10 dance numbers. Will a star be *You‘ll have to come and see for yourself," says Musâ€" takas with a smile. With a vibrant score writâ€" ten by legendary composer Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin, 42nd Street feaâ€" tures some of the best songs ever written for the Broadâ€" way s(fie. including "Lullaâ€" by of Broadway." "We‘re in the Money," and "Shuffie Of To Buffalo." Never content to rest on his laurels, Mustakas has Ad42nd Street‘ "One of the reasons l Jackie Mustakas (left) plays Peggy Sawyer and Doug Adler plays Billy Lawlor in Drayton Entertainment‘s latest producâ€" tion, 42nd Street. raised the bar by mounting _ and Jackie Mustakas has it such an ambitious producâ€" _ all. tion on the Drayton stage. Rebecca Poff clearly He capitalizes on the best enjoys _ playing _ the elements of this musical by detestable diva Dorothy providing astute direction _ Brock, and demonstrates and wraps the whole thing â€" impeccable comic timing. up in one glorious package â€" _ Her flawless voice shines in â€" much to the delight of _ such numbers as "You‘re enthusiastic theatregoers. Getting To Be A Habit With Equal credit must be given to choreographer Jackie Mustakas, who seamâ€" lessly interweaves incredible dance routines and spectacâ€" ular ensemble tap dancing throughout the production. The result is a winning comâ€" bination. Jackie Mustakas also does the impossible and pulls double duty as the lead, Peggy Sawyer. She sucâ€" cessfully captures the heart and spirit of the shy. naive chorus girl, who, over the course of the show. grows into a confident young starâ€" let. The demanding role requires great singing and dancing. as well as boundâ€" less spunk and energy â€" ARTS FOCUS Rebecca Poff clearly enjoys _ playing _ the detestable diva Dorothy Brock, and demonstrates impeccable comic timing. Her flawless voice shines in such numbers as "You‘re Getting To Be A Habit With Me," "I Know You Now," and the duet "About A Quarter To Nine." Her muchâ€"younger coâ€" star is Billy Lawlor â€" Broadway‘s oldestâ€"living juvenile. Doug Adler fills the role perfectly with a splenâ€" did singing voice in such numbers as "Dames," as well as demonstrating excelâ€" lent dance moves. John Devorski radiates confidence and charisma as the powerful Broadway proâ€" ducer Julian Marsh. He also exudes genuine warmth and enthusiasm as he urges Peggy to "Go out there a chorus girl," and "Come back a star." Comic relief is provided in ample doses by the enterâ€" taining Jenni Burke as Magâ€" gie Jones and Mark Weathâ€" eriey as Bert Barry, the writâ€" ers of Pretty Lady. This is truly an ensemble production, as 18 extremely talented performers work together to sing and dance with genuine enthusiasm and aplomb. The result is an unforgettable _ musical extravaganza that will please the ear and dazzle A big, bold musical that proves dreams do come true, the original 1980 proâ€" duction of 42nd Street was one of the Great White Way‘s longestâ€"running hits, runâ€" ning for 3,486 performancâ€" es. It also won two Tony Awards for Best Musical and Choreography, and several more when it was revived on Broadway in 2000. This impressive track record is certain to enjoy renewed success with Drayâ€" ton Entertainment‘s winâ€" ning production. Mustakas notes that the production is already close to 90 per cent sold out for the entire run, and advises theatregoers to book their tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. "We already have a waitâ€" ing list for certain performâ€" ances," he says. "We are overwhelmed _ by â€" the response. It‘s a very encourâ€" aging way to kick off the new season." Set Design is by Jean Claude Olivier; lighting design is by Simon Day; and costume design is by Kate The lighthearted mood of the production is further enhanced by music director Derek Bate, who expertly leads the stellar ensemble and fiveâ€"piece orchestra through this classic backâ€" stage showbiz tale. 42nd Street plays eight shows a week at the Drayton Festival Theatre until June 5th. Tickets can be ordered by calling the box office at 638â€"5555 or tollâ€"free at 1â€" B88â€"449â€"4463. Visit www.draytonfestiâ€" valtheatre.com. Cairde, friends of Irish culture, are hosting a Ceili (lrish country dance) at Victoria Park Pavilion, locatâ€" ed on Schneider Avenue in Kitchener this Sunday, May 16, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Traditional Irish music will be provided by the Grand River Ceili Band. ‘This familyâ€"friendly, fun event is open to all ages. Children under age 12 will be admitted free of Advance tickets are available at Second Look Books, Oid Goat Books, Kâ€"W Book Store and Words Worth Books, or see ticket sales link on the Cairde Web site for store phone numbers. Tickets at the door will be $14 and $12. Contact ceilidance@sympatico.ca for more inforâ€" mation. Wear comfortable dance shoes and casual clothes. Kick up your heels and join in the fun. The CD "Awakenings" is a fourâ€"way quilting together, a collaboration of composer/performers Carol Ann Weaver and Rebecca Campbell with poets Di Brandt and Dorothy Livesay. The work stems from Livesay‘s 1991 limitedâ€"ediâ€" tion publication, "Awakenings", written late in her life, on which Brandt wrote her own poetry, "Waking Up", in 2001. Coming from varied musical traditions and styles, the music ranges from folk to avant garde, jazz to soundscapes, groove to meditative, creating an interâ€" woven musical/poetic web. _ The combined poetry leads listeners down rare paths of transition between life and death. _ It is significant that Brandt‘s dialogues with Livesay suggest similar musically interactive settings from the two composer/performers. _ _ _ The work is newly released on the CD, with Campbell on lead vocals, Weaver on piano, guest vocalists Jane Siberry, Mia Sheard, and Jennifer Moore, guest mandolinist Lyle Friesen, recorded., mixed, mastered by David Traversâ€"Smith. Adventurous, imaginative, and celebrated Canaâ€" dian composer/performers Weaver (piano) and Campbell (vocals, guitar) create joyeous fusions of folk, jazz. roots, art and world music â€" powerful, innovative, daring, upbeat, calming. grounded, expressive, and passionately connected with the world around us. A Canadian treasure, Campbell has done extenâ€" sive touring and recording on her own and in supâ€" port of many artists, including Jane Siberry. _ _ Weaver has discovered new cultural blends while recently living in South Africa and recording her music with leading African jazz musicians. She is a music professor at Conrad Grebel Univerâ€" sity College/University of Waterioo. Local performers release ‘Awakenings‘ CD Dance instruction will be called by Maureen Mulâ€" Victoria Park hosts Irish country dance