BOARDMAN Holiday show is gift to Valley

A package of 'Musical Memories' was delivered to the appreciative audience by a troupe of talented performers.
BY MARGARET NERY
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Move Over Broadway Productions reached into its well-filled gift bag Friday night and presented an assortment of holiday treats that delighted the young and the not-so-young at the DeBartolo Executive Center auditorium, 7601 Market St.
Talented performers turned the production of "Musical Memories -- A Hometown Holiday Salute" into a ho, ho, ho, holiday bash that was enlivened by a variety of seasonal classics and a delightful mix of songs from Broadway productions and tunes from Hollywood shows.
Nostalgia: The evening became a nostalgic walk down memory lane as Judy Keller read articles from the pages of "These Hundred Years," The Vindicator's historical account of events in the Valley, and the 36-member troupe brought the moments to life in a series of delightful musical vignettes.
From the moment Act One began with the stirring singing of "Funiculi, Funicula" by Amanda Beagle until the evening concluded with the entire ensemble's renditions of "Twelve Days to Christmas" and "Happy Holidays," there were many special moments, including those prepared especially for the hearing impaired.
The program included a story time for children conducted by Peg Moffett, and an enlightening musical explanation of Hanukkah by Paula Strobel.
There were numbers that reflected hard times in the Valley such as "Brother, can You Spare a Dime?" by Tom Hathhorn and those that drew attention to the war times, such as "I'll Be Home for Christmas" with Tim Burke.
But there were also numbers that brought smiles of delight and outright laughter. Sis Soller held the audience spellbound with her highly amusing presentations of "Walter" and her classic interpretation of "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth."
Also a source of amusement was Hathhorn's convoluted yet priceless presentation of "Rindercella," the rousing singing of "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" by four members of the cast known as The Guys, and the lively dance routine based on the fast-paced "Rock Around the Clock".
Among the seasonal hits were Matt Rider's version of "O, Holy Night," the always popular "Jingle Bell Rock" by Marnie Winger and the Dancers, the traditional "Winter Wonderland'' featuring Ashley Miller, "The Little Drummer Boy" by Joey Monda, and the moving soulful number, "I'm So Grateful."
Highlights: The cast is too large to recognize individually but among those deserving accolades for outstanding work as soloists were Nick Opritza, Kathy Shook, Susan McQueen, Mary Catley, Judie Mayesky and Tyler Hanes.
The spirit of Christmas prevailed the entire evening as the troupe unwrapped the package of musical memories prepared under the direction of Jason Beagle with the help of Opritza, choreographer, and Jodine Pilmer, musical director.
Tied together by historical tidbits, the long string of tantalizing musical numbers and dance routines became a neat package of "Musical Memories" that was delivered with enthusiasm by the highly skilled, well-schooled ensemble of children and adults.