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The Best of Broadway is a review with 50 different musical numbers covering 17 Broadway shows includâ€" ing Cabaret. Les Miscrables, My Fair Lady, Hair, Rent. Chorus Line. Mamma Mia and many more. at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse. "There‘s a lot of variety in this show," said Judy Tayâ€" lor, one of the 21 cast memâ€" bers. "It‘s very entertainâ€" ing... full of comedy and drama." Now into its second and final week, the musical theâ€" atre company is presenting Ihe Best of Broadway this Thursday through Saturday at the St. Jacobs Country â€"W Musical Producâ€" B tions is offering an nchanting look at the songs that have drawn so many to the bright lights of Broadway. Kâ€"W Musical Productions offers some tidbits of hits in ‘The Best of Broadway‘ Judy Taylor, a member of Kâ€"W Musical Productions, belts out the song Don‘t Tell Mama from the hit musical Cabaret, durâ€" ing a recent rehearsal for the group‘s curâ€" rent show, The Best of Broadway. The proâ€" duction will continue this Thursday through Saturday at the St. Jacobs Counâ€" try Playhouse. The idea for the show By Anorea Bamey Chronicle Staff Blinds Are Us 35b Sasaga Drive at Manitou Kitchener 893.8687 (between Homer Watson and Wabanaki. past CM) 8 CHYM Radio will be on location 1sk Inâ€"Store For Details www.blindsareus.ca M "There are solos, duos, trios, ensemble pieces and of course dancing. "The show really gets the audience laughing and clapping: they enjoy what "The show contains a real crossâ€"section of enterâ€" tainment." said Donâ€"Taylor, Judy‘s husband and a memâ€" ber of Kâ€"W Musical Producâ€" tions since 1979. "Many Broadway musiâ€" cals are universally recogâ€" nized and loved by many people of all ages," said Winkler, "but we have choâ€" sen to take a slightly edgy approach with this show. You will hear many of the favourite Broadway musical themes that most will remember, but we‘ve also added a number of obscure selections, including music from Chess, that have not been performed by us in the past. or even in Waterâ€" loo Region." was conceived by director Bill Winkler. ARTS FOCUS "It‘s a unique show in that the (performers) range in age from 20 to, in some cases, into their 70s," Taylor said. "He‘s done an amazing job... the musical numbers flow so nicely together. It‘s really something to see," she said. That‘s not to say the cast hasn‘t had some challenges. Judy praised Winkler‘s determination to put on a production that feels as though it‘s straight off the stage in New York. they see and hear." "If you love Broadway musicals, you‘ll love this show." â€" Bill Winkler director Fickets for The Best of Broadway are still available by calling the Drayton Entertainment box office at 638â€"5555 or 1â€"888â€"449â€" 4463. Performances are May 4, 5, 6 at 8 p.m. "So when Bill played us excerpts from the songs, we were all very excited." "These (songs) are from shows we‘ve never done before, and will likely never do," Don added. "I‘ve never had the chance to see Rent, but I love the songs we do from that show," she said. "Seaâ€" sons of Love and La Vie Boheme are really nice." Yet there‘s something for everyone, Taylor said â€" even those who have never seen a musical before. "But, to me, that‘s what community theatre is all about. It‘s been a tremenâ€" dous experience." "If you love Brog musicals, you‘ll lov show," Winkler added love Broadway you‘ll love this The Songwriters® Circle performance begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are now on sale for $29. Tickets are available at the box office by calling 578â€"1570 or toll free 1â€"800â€"265â€"8977, and online in realâ€"time at www.centreâ€"square.com . The onstage performances are unique from all others at the venue as they offer the audience the rare opportunity to actually sit on the stage, along with the artists, at tables and chairs in an intimate, cabaretâ€"type setting. With two bars set up on either side of the stage you can enjoy a beverage of your choice while listen ing to the outstanding artists in this series. McClelland has risen as the avantâ€"garde mistress of inner pop noire. Sometimes purgatorial. other times ephemeral. she is both poet and pioneer. She is currently touring as the opening artist on Matthew Good‘s Canadian tour (see her tour schedâ€" ule at www.melissameclelland.com)}. Taking his place is singerâ€"songwriter Melissa McClelland, a Torontoâ€"based upâ€"andâ€"coming artist with Nettwerk Records (Sarah McLachlan‘s label}. Craig Cardiff, who was scheduled with the original line up of Maureen Ennis and Mad Violet, will not be performing. Centre in the Square‘s onstage series concludes with its always popular Songwriters‘ Circle, June 15. The event, which is geared to people age 13 to 18. welcomes all family and community members. There will be music, poetry, dramatic perforâ€" mances and a drumming circle with Dale Marcell. Admission is $7. All proceeds go to ROOF youth shelter. Call 885â€"1220 ext. 256 if you are interested in perâ€" forming. A coffeehouse fundraiser will be held this Saturâ€" day from 7â€"11 p.m. at the Waterloo Community Arts Centre, 25 Regina St. S., in Waterloo. The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine by Robert Morâ€" gan, Martha Ross and Leah Cherniak. is now running at the Registry Theatre in downtown Kitchener through May 6. Shows start at 8 p.m. Visit www.lostandfoundtheatre.ca for more inforâ€" mation. WCAC coffeehouse fundraiser supports ROOF shelter programs ‘Anger in Ernest and Ernestine‘ now playing Centre in the Square tunes up for annual Songwriters‘ Circle