THEATRE director Maya Mascarenhas’ first introduction to composer Andrew Lloyd Webber was through his musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and she instantly became a big fan. “After that, I saw productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita. I was very inspired. I also watched the original performance of Starlight Express in London,” she tells us. Inspired by this, her choir, The Bangalore Chorus, will put up a concert, Big Bang 100 ,where 100 singers from the city will stage a tribute to Webber’s musicals as well as other popular ones such as My Fair Lady, in full costume.
The production features The Bangalore Children’s Chorus as well as the Adult Chorus. It has popular numbers from the best of Webber’s productions such as Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Starlight Express and Aspects of Love. “Since my objective is to have a show choir, the children need to learn not only how to sing but also how to perform. Musical theatre is the best example of this. Andrew Lloyd Webber has such versatile work that, in one show, they have learnt different genres of musical theatre and so many different styles,” Maya tells us.
They will also include songs from popular productions namely Les Miserables, Oliver Twist, Lion
King and Mamma Mia. All the proceeds from the event go to the Jeevarathni Foundation. The orphanage, founded in 2008, is in the village of Nallur and is home to destitute children. Next, Maya wants to travel to other cities with the show and do a couple of musicals as well. “My objective is for us to become a famous show choir in the country,” she signs off.
Rs. 500. August 19 and 20, 4 pm and 7 pm. At Guru Nanak Bhavan, Vasanth Nagar.
Details: 9743451944