The Mad River Chorale

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
For the final installment of its first Inner Circle Cabaret Series, Café Noir productions will present: MUSIC OF THE NIGHT, THE WORDS AND MELODIES OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER.

"I could probably sing every word of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar by heart," said vocalist Sharon Dubé after a recent rehearsal, and this seems to be the case with many fans of this legendary composer. Andrew Lloyd Webber earned his reputation by writing melodies that people could remember and as a result his shows dominated Broadway for years. Beyond this, Webber redefined the contemporary musical by blending elements of opera with traditional musical theater, and creating the grand shows that have been enjoyed by countless millions worldwide.

"When I was in high school in the 80s my friends and I were singing Phantom, today my high school students are singing Phantom," said musical director Piero Bonamico. "This speaks to the musical accessibility of the writing and the simple fact that it is well written for singers. Mozart understood singers and how to write music that enabled them to shine on stage. In this way Andrew Lloyd Webber is quite similar."

MUSIC OF THE NIGHT will focus on songs from five shows: Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cats, Evita, and Phantom of the Opera (with a few surprises thrown into the mix).  "There is no way that we can sing every Andrew Lloyd Webber hit," said director Scott Weigand, "but I am confident that the audience will leave hearing the songs that they would expect in a show like this."

The team for this show includes vocalists Piero Bonamico, Rachel Bruce, Sharon Dubé, Karl Klein, Tim Tavcar and Stefanie Weigand with Mary Jane Austin- Reynolds, piano, Peter Williams, bass, and Sean Beatty on drums. The show is directed by Scott Weigand with Piero Bonamico as musical director.

Unlike the previous shows, Piero Bonamico will be a featured vocalist on this performance. "Don't get me wrong, I like playing the piano, but I am thrilled to be singing these songs," said Bonamico. "I mean, let's face it, I don't expect that there will be a fully staged performance of Phantom any time soon, so if given the opportunity to perform songs like "Music of the Night", I am not going to pass it up!"

"We are very proud to host The Inner Circle Cabaret Series here at Sugarbush. And we are so pleased to see who is attending the performances--young families with children, familiar faces from the Valley, and weekend visitors from Boston and New York. It's a great scene!" adds Candice White, vice-president of marketing at Sugarbush.

This final cabaret performance will be held in Gate House Lodge at Sugarbush at 7:30 p.m., and will accommodate more seating than the previous sold-out shows. Timbers Restaurant and Castlerock Pub will be open for dinner prior to the show; dessert and drinks will be available during the show. Show tickets are $15 or $12 for Sugarbush Season Pass Holders, Clay Brook Residence owners and MRC and Co. members (formerly MRC Bundy members). Call (800) 53-SUGAR for reservations.

Café Noir Productions is a division of MRC and Company, Inc., a 501(c) (3) non-profit arts organization based in Waitsfield, Vermont. Board of Directors President Sheila Ware has been thrilled by the success of the several events held at the Sugarbush Resort. Board treasurer Jane Hobart summed it up best saying "The performers love the spaces available at Sugarbush and the sell-out crowds seem to indicate that the audiences like them too. We are just thrilled with the Resort's support of our activities and we look forward to a long relationship."

PLEASE NOTE: Although you can order your tickets online we would prefer it if you contact Sugarbush Directly at 1(800) 53-SUGAR. They are handling these reservations and have the up-to-date information on seating. If you are a Mad River Chorale (formerly MRC Bundy, Inc.) member, Sugarbush Season Pass Holder, or Clay Brook Owner you can reserve your tickets at Sugarbush for $12. Reserve you tickets early. This show will sell out.