'Heavenly Notes' draws full house, produces beautiful music

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

For 28 years, the Jamaica Musical Theatre Company (JMTC) has presented an annual concert series, held on the first Sunday of each month for the first six months of the year. For some, the events have become a meeting place.

Though a regular, Ossie Brooks is not one of them. His main reason for attending is that the shows are out of the ordinary.

For Sheryl Gauntlett, it is a nice evening out.

The shows are produced by different members of JMTC, each bringing his or her own taste and style.

At the helm of the fifth show on Sunday was veteran producer Doug Bennett. Known for his love of musicals through the junior arm of the JMTC, it was not surprising that the programme was saturated with songs taken from shows of the same ilk, with a little sprinkling from two operas.

The show, titled Heavenly Notes, saw performances from both the junior and senior members. All gave creditable performances in spite of a few technical hiccups.

Bennett, who also served as narrator at the Alhambra Inn, provided valuable background information on some selections.

The first act

Jodi HoLung was the first act to grace, commencing the musical treat with Bernstein's composition, Somewhere.

Accompanied by Ann Trouth, HoLung would return to perform O Silver Moon, from the opera Rusalka.

But it was with her performance of Lloyd's Webber's Wishing You were Somewhere Here Again, from the musical Phantom of the Opera that she gave her best.

Another regular act, Stephanie Hazle, was also well received.

Hazle opened her account with a rendition of Webber's I Don't Know How to Love Him, from Jesus Christ Superstar. And later, she performed Softly Awakes My Heart from the opera Sampson and Delilah.

The performance was to receive strong applause from the full house, though it was Hazle and David Tulloch's dramatic presentation of Elton John's Aida that had the greatest impact.

There were also quality performances from Danah Lawson-Chisholm, Lisa Spence, and representing the junior arm of the company, Justine Rookwood and Andrew Bailey.

The most entertaining and engaging of the acts was Peter Haley.

With song sheet in his hand, the 80-year-old gave convincing treatment to Lerner & Loewe's Hymn to Him from the Broadway hit, My Fair Lady. The audience was satisfied.

Other producers for the 2014 season were David Reid, Carole Reid and HoLung.

According to HoLung, the JMTC is making strides to find funding for a regular accompanist and "we would like to invest in a PA system". Members of the Junior Theatre will bring the curtains down on the season on the first Sunday in June. It promises to be entertaining.