The American Southwest Theatre Company is set to perform “NMSU Broadway on Stage 2020” Saturday, Feb. 22, at the ASNMSU Center for the Arts. Proceeds from the performance will go toward ASTC and the NMSU theater arts program.
“Broadway on Stage” is a performance of common and popular crowd-pleaser musical numbers that are purchased by sponsors to be showcased during the show. The cast rehearses for a month prior to opening night.
All NMSU theater students have a chance to participate, as well as others within the local community. Theater department faculty, staff, and high school students from Centennial High School’s Studio A440 are also performing in the show.
The show is directed by Lisa Hermanson and Christa Fredrickson. Susie Ouderkirk, one of the show’s producers, said the performance is ideal for people who may not normally enjoy live theater. “I call ‘Broadway On Stage’ the perfect husband/boyfriend theater event,” Ouderkirk said. “Even folks who aren’t crazy about live theater seem to enjoy one fast-paced night of Broadway favorites.”
ASTC has put on “Broadway on Stage” performances in the past. It is one of the most popular stage performances of the year due to the popularity of the music.
This year’s performance includes musical numbers such as: “Anything You Can Do (I Can do Better)” from “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Summer Nights” from “Grease,” “Nine To Five,” “Charlie Brown,” “Footloose,” and “Last Midnight” from “Into the Woods.” These are just some of the songs that will be heard the night of the show.
Many of the cast members who performed in last year’s spring musical and have been in other ASTC plays will be participating in this year’s event.
“We present this show every spring as a fundraiser that goes directly to the students. The evening is a combination of musical favorites, including shows that are still running on Broadway that most people don’t have a chance to see,” Ouderkirk said.
Dress rehearsals took place this week. Cast members do not have as much time to prepare for “Broadway On Stage” as they would for other NMSU performances.
“Our students showcase their individual talents without the time and energy commitment of the full run of a play or musical,” Ouderkirk said. “Because it’s a one-night-only event, rehearsals are brief, and everyone moves on quickly to the next show.”
The cast will also perform “The Golden Door,” written by co-director Lisa Hermanson. Hermanson is a visiting instructor in the NMSU Theatre Arts Department. She and Christa Fredrickson hand-picked the songs that will be presented.
“We’re so proud to showcase Lisa’s original work and can’t wait for Las Cruces to hear the song, “When I Get to America,” Ouderkirk said.
A silent auction to raise money for ASTC will also run throughout the evening, and performers will answer questions at a special reception immediately after the show in the theater’s rehearsal hall.
Tickets for “NMSU Broadway on Stage 2020” are still available as of Friday afternoon, Feb. 21, through TicketMaster. Prices start at $20.
Showtime is Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, at 7:30 pm. The theater is located at 1000 E. University Ave. in Las Cruces.
