West side takes to the South!
To give students a feel of what it's like performing professionally, the academy tries to bring out a big production every year.
Broadway shows and musicals are replete with creativity and energy, be it the famed West Side Story or Jungle Book. Yet, very few make it to our shores. On rare occasions, the local artistic community try their hand at adaptations to create their own broadway or musical extravaganza in the city. Among the most recent ones is this show being put up by the Kiara Musical Academy where those yester year melodies and stories will come alive. Aspiring to introduce us to the world of broadways and musicals comes this performance, Believe. The musical is also being done in aid of a very special cause.
To give students a feel of what it’s like performing professionally, the academy tries to bring out a big production every year.
Wendy Dickson, the director whose wealth of experience bestows any performance with immense class, says, “This year I decided on the theme BELIEF or hope, because I feel that this is presently our single most urgently-felt need in society and the world. The medley of songs that we will be performing, explores the need for hope and belief.” They will be doing a selection of songs from musicals like The Greatest Showman, The Jungle Book, The Phantom of the Opera, The Prince of Egypt and many more. With the message to BELIEVE. Wendy adds, “We wanted to believe that there is still good in humankind, despite exterior imperfections, we believe that the animal kingdom has something to teach us about what being human is all about and above all we ‘believe’ in miracles, and in a power superior to oneself.” The one thing that you can be sure about is that this show will be exciting, enriching, inspiring and professional. A cast that has a motley crew of all ages, Wendy adds, “The cast includes over 60 members, ranging from age 7 to 60 plus! We also have three guest performers who are well-known thespians of Bangalore: Arvind Kasthuri, Ashish Sen and Munira Sen who bring their own touch of class and superb style to the production.”
Deanne D’Lima who plays Maria from West Side Story pipes about her role, “There are several things that I will be doing on stage but the main role will be Maria. West Side Story is loosely based on the story of Romeo and Juliet. Maria is one character that I loved playing as we are in a way, similar. She has confidence in her ability and follows her heart.” Smaran George Srikanth will be doing his bit on stage. He will be singing, dancing as well as playing various characters, “I’m playing Berth in Mary Poppins and also Bagheera in Jungle Book. We made a lot of memories doing this show, had a lot fun and this is the first time I will be performing on stage.”
Kritika Mahapatra is one of the lead soloists in the Prince Of Egypt. She says enthusiastically, “Since I am in the choir, I will be singing and doing a solo. Practicing for the show, I learnt that one can never stop learning, and if you love something, you have to keep doing it.” This show is being done to aid BOSCO Rainbow Home for Rescued Girls. On why the academy associated themselves with BOSCO, “The cause of the girl child, especially in our country is of great personal significance and BOSCO is one organisation that seeks out and rescues girl children, rehabilitates and educates them.”