The Brandywine Minstrels presents their show “A Night At The Tonys” starting Thursday, Nov. 6.
“The Brandywine Minstrels 2014 show, “A Night At The Tonys” is NOT to be confused with, “A Night At Tonys” which is the local pizzeria here in Topton,” writes Director Steven J. Schwoyer to The Patriot. “Quite the opposite. This year’s show is set in a grand old theater in New York City. The scenario revolves around a comedic and theatrical look at some of Broadway’s Tony Award Winning Musicals throughout the decades. It also depicts scenes one would observe while attending the Tony Awards or viewing them on TV.”
“A few of tonight’s highlights include red carpet interviews, co-host banter, elaborate production numbers, guest appearances by BHHS performing groups and more. Fortunately, the Brandywine Minstrel Endmen have stepped up to the challenge and consented to hone their thespian skills and take on roles of various characters from the musicals of the ‘Great White Way.’ Hopefully,their true craftsmanship and professionalism as legends of the stage will shine through in tonight’s performance. Because as you know if you regularly attend the Brandywine Minstrel Shows, the endmen always have an uncanny way of getting themselves into predicaments due to some of their unsavory antics. Oh well, not to worry. On with the show!”
Like previous shows there will be a variety of entertainment.
“The minute you walk into the Brandywine Heights High School Auditorium you feel like you have entered a grande New York theater thanks to the design and construction talents of Mr. Michael Daddario, staff members of the BHHS Arts Department, set design class and volunteers from the community and cast.”
This year songs were selected from Broadway Musicals many of which received a Tony for Best Musical of their debut year.
“The Minstrel Dancers, Brandywine Heights High School students always bring a splash of color to some of the songs with their creative dance routines by choreographer, Courtney Wagaman. Plus, we have a tap dance troupe of 12 cast members this year under the direction of Angela Lattanzio,” he writes. “Anyone looking for comedy doesn’t have to wait long for the five Minstrel Endmen to make their clown-like entrance and perform skits and deliver jokes throughout the show.”
He writes that the unique factor in this year’s show compared to all of the other minstrel shows is all five endmen are in each of the songs selected for them. Past shows, each endmen had their own musical solo spot, but this year they perform as a group throughout the show.
Also different this year is that all the proceeds from this year’s show will be donated to the Brandywine Heights Area School District to help with district needs and tasks instead of individual organizations as in previous years.
Schwoyer feels that cast members take away something personal from the show.
“However, if there is something they all share I believe it must be a feeling of community spirit to promote a worthy cause. Many people who have participated in past minstrel shows have always said there are five seasons; winter, spring, summer, minstrel and fall.”
Schwoyer said the cast has changed over the years. The cast use to be comprised of members who lived in the Brandywine Heights School District and surrounding communities. Currently the cast still has a Brandywine base; however, now there are people involved who live in the Temple, Oley and Trexlertown areas.
“On behalf of the cast, crew, directors and producers, we hope the audience is entertained by the show. We also hope they see how all generations can volunteer their time, talents and skills to achieve a common goal,” said Schwoyer.
Schwoyer explained that The Brandywine Minstrels originally was organized in 1980 as a fundraising project to help purchase lights for the Brandywine Heights High School Soccer Field at the time. Later proceeds were donated to the Brandywine Heights High School Athletic, Cheerleading and Music Booster organizations to assist with funding for uniforms, equipment, travel expenses etc.
“As time passed more Brandywine Heights High School organizations such as the jugglers, “Cascade Brigade” and the “Art Club” also received a portion of the proceeds. Last year the Brandywine Minstrels included making a donation to purchase a scrim for the BHHS Auditorium for all groups to use in addition to disbursements to the organizations mentioned previously. The gift to the high school was appreciated very much which prompted the Minstrels this year to contribute all of the proceeds received to the Brandywine Heights School District to use for school projects/tasks, student needs, etc.”
“I can’t express strongly enough what a great tradition and opportunity the Brandywine Minstrels has been and continues to be for people of all ages to work together and have fun raising money to invest in everyone’s future, “Our Kids and their Education.” Please, Please come out and see the show and help support our cause,” writes the director.
Show dates are Nov. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 8 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; and Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. at Brandywine Heights High School.
For more information and ticket prices visit http://www.brandywineminstrels.com/.
