From Disney characters and iconic leads to songs of social justice expressed in "Les Miserables" and "Newsies," fans of Broadway are hard pressed to pin down a favorite production, character or song.
This was also a problem for Cara Alexander when she began writing an original play 10 years ago while attending Lighthouse Preparatory Academy.
"She couldn't figure out how to narrow Broadway down. It is impossible to cut it down, but she realized that is the story," said Mary Alexander, her mother and Lighthouse Preparatory Academy teacher and theater director.
About a year ago, Cara began writing the play's script once again, finishing it this summer. The now Chicago resident decided to premiere this Broadway tale where she first envisioned it: her alma mater. "A Bit of Broadway" will open at 7 p.m. tonight at Lighthouse Preparatory Academy, with three additional performances at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday.
The premise for "A Bit of Broadway" follows an awards show gone awry, with participants trying to figure out which Broadway shows, characters and songs are the best.
"The end result is you can't pick the best," Alexander said. "It really is a march through the 100 years of history of Broadway. The shows are so diverse. You have dramas and shows about social justice, comedies, Disney productions, classic tales - just everything."
A plethora of characters from "The Wizard of Oz," "Wicked," "Les Miserables," "Tarzan," "Hairspray," "Beauty and the Beast" and so many others share the stage and deliver "bits" of their award-winning Broadway productions.
"One constant character throughout the play is our awards show emcee, played by Jared Deutsch," Mary said, noting another consistent part of the storyline is the show backstage manager. "The manager is changing the script fictionally and trying to keep things afloat."
For the cast of more than 40 students, many are playing multiple Broadway favorites like junior Sophia Palmeri who is playing Jane from "Tarzan," a character from "Les Miserables" and Tracy Turnblad from "Hairspray."
"We also have so many great songs from Rogers and Hammerstein, 'Hairspray,' 'Newsies,' 'Annie Get Your Gun,' 'The Sound of Music,' 'Les Miserables' and medleys that incorporate bits of other songs and plays," Mary said.
The 50-plus student cast and crew, and Mary, have identified with many of their personal favorites.
"In our fall plays, we try to find a place for any student who wants to be a part of the production. With 'A Bit of Broadway,' some of the students were able to play some of their favorite characters, like our Dorothy from 'The Wizard of Oz,'" Mary said.
They have also grown to love productions, songs and characters they were unfamiliar with before "A Bit of Broadway" came back to their school.
"I had never seen 'Sweeney Todd (The Demon Barber of Fleet Street)' before, but I have fallen in love with this production and the songs," Mary said. "We've all learned a lot about other shows and definitely have discovered new favorites."
Along with a bit of Broadway on stage, guests will also enjoy a bit of New York City at their table. New York style pizza, cheesecake and a few other refreshments will be served to the audience.
"We are building that New York City experience, and the kids will be serving in character," Mary said, noting the characters will also meet, greet and be available for photos with guests following each production.
This experience has been a special one for Mary, having her daughters part of this production with Cara as playwright and Rachael doing a lot of the choreography. It is also encouraging to the students.
"It is nice to see an alum that loves this school and comes back to help the kids," Mary said. "It is good for the kids to see, and they were invested in it."
Tickets are $10 per person, which includes refreshments and the show. Purchasing tickets in advance is best as they could sell out, Mary said. For more information or to reserve tickets, call Lighthouse Preparatory Academy at 573-645-5253.