Pam White and Paul Sturgell rehearse a “Mary Poppins” scene from the show “Broadway On Tour” at Mill Race Center.
Photo provided
Donna Browne always figures she has a juicy, Big Apple of an idea when she decides to fill one of her homemade musical scripts with the biggest stage’s best-known numbers.
“People always love Broadway,” she said.
Then they’ll love her Lasting Impressions musical drama troupe’s latest homemade production, “Broadway On Tour.” The one-hour, 45-minuute show is a seasoned, buffet dinner theater smorgasbord of 27 tunes from productions ranging from “South Pacific” to “Cinderella” slated at 6 p.m. Friday and at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mill Race Center in Columbus.
All for $25 — the same price as the past several years, with the two-meat buffet from the popular, local Sadie’s Catering. Browne is sticking with a 200-seat layout in the center’s 200-seat multi-purpose area. The group’s last shows at Christmas featured full-house crowds.
“We always make sure to greet and thank folks as they are leaving,” Browne said. “And they always seem to say, ‘This one was the best yet.’ And then I think to myself, ‘Oh my goodness. What will we do next time?’”
For this production, the 12-person cast and crew also will perform the full show for free (without a meal) at other venues for residents at Traditions of Columbus, Holiday Parkside Court, and Cedar Creek of Franklin.
Those presentations are part of the troupe’s regular outreach of goodwill, though locales change. Browne has always pointed out that the volunteer senior troupe strives for excellence, despite a limited budget. But she has demonstrated a wry sense of humor with this show, dressing some of her “South Pacific” female actresses in lengthy t-shirts with bikinis painted on them.
Other costuming features gowns done by Margaret Offenbacker and headpieces done by artistic director Geneva Foster.
Plus, the show will include its serious highlighting of the music itself, with veteran pianist Ed Bruenjes and percussionist Rick Thomas.
Browne mentioned that she is impressed with the extra effort of some of the cast members faced with more than the usual amount of script dialogue that she herself wrote as she also selected tunes.
“I realize,” she said, “that this was a little more difficult for them to prepare for.”
About the shows
What: The Lasting Impressions’ senior drama troupe presenting the varied buffet dinner theater musical “Broadway On Tour.”
When: 6 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Mill Race Center, 900 Lindsey St. in Columbus.
Tickets: $25 from cast members or at Mill Race Center.
Information: The Lasting Impressions Facebook page.
