BWW Reviews: NEW VOICES 11 from Contemporary Classics

Last night the incredible talent from Contemporary Classics stepped up to the mic once more for the 11^th installment of their wildly popular "New Voices" series, spotlighting new works from composers around the country.  Some local composers and some abroad, some new-ish pieces and some brand spankin' new for this show, Host Brandon Ivie and Music director R.J. Tancioco gathered together some of the most obscenely talented performers in the area to blow the doors off ACT Theatre and there was not a door standing when they were done.

With new works from such composers as Scott Burkel and Paul Loesel, Andre Catrini, Joey Contreras, Michelle Elliott and Danny Larsen, Ryann Ferguson and Steven Jamail, Drew Gasparini, Jonathan Reid Gealt, Michael R. Jackson and Kori Withers, Chris Jeffries, Brian Lowdermilk and Kait Kerrigan, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Joel Waggoner and EllaRose Chary, Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, and Ryan Scott Oliver, the evening featured a wonderfully eclectic gathering of new and exciting numbers from the voices of the future of musical theater (Get it?  New Voices.). 

And if it weren't enough of a treat to get to hear these new works, some for the first time anywhere, we were treated to them by some of the most incredible talents you may have seen on the stages of Village Theatre, The 5^th Avenue and some even direct from National Tours and Broadway.  All of them too entirely talented to be left out, we were blown away by Greg McCormick Allen (Footlight Award, 5th Ave's White Christmas), Jordon Bolden (Village's Jesus Christ Superstar), Jared Michael Brown (Village's Iron Curtain, 5th Ave's upcoming Saving Aimee), Elise Campello (Jesus Christ Superstar), Molli Corcoran (SCT's upcoming Frog & Toad), Sarah Davis (5th Ave's Guys & Dolls, A Christmas Story), CJ Eldred (5th Ave's Aladdin), Aaron Finley (Jesus Christ Superstar, upcoming Take Me America), Lindsey Hedberg (Zanna, Don't!), Kirsten Delohr Helland (5th Ave's upcoming Oklahoma!), Louis Hobson (Broadway's Next to Normal, 5th Ave's West Side Story), Jerick Hoffer (Seattle Shakes' Threepenny Opera, Book-It's Red Ranger), Diana Huey (Village's upcoming Take Me America), Kendra Kassebaum (Broadway's Wicked, 5th Ave's Company), Jessica Low (Village's Jesus Christ Superstar, 42nd Street), Ryan McCabe (ArtsWest's Plaid Tidings), Naomi Morgan (Village's The Gypsy King, The Full Monty), Henry Nettleton (Jesus Christ Superstar, Anne of Green Gables), Ryah Nixon (9 to 5 national tour, Footlight Award, Village's Meet Me In St. Louis), Vicki Noon (Wicked national tour, Village's upcoming Annie Get Your Gun), Kasey Nusbickel (Footlight Award, Village's Anne of Green Gables), Eliza Palasz (5th Avenue Award nominee), Kat Ramsburg (5th Ave's MAME, Sweeney Todd),  Jared Rein (Roosevelt University), Alex Rumbolz (Western Washington University), Connor Russell (5th Ave's Aladdin), Patrick Shelton (Village's TOMMY, AIDA), Erin Sprow (Redwood's A... My Name Will Always Be Alice), William A. Williams (Seattle Rep's Of Mice and Men, Village's Jesus Christ Superstar) and Brianne Wylie (Kidstage's Hairspray).

While all amazing, some personal highlights for the evening were Nixon and Finley and their sultry "Make Me Happy", Shelton's heartfelt "I Can't Smell Purple", Noon's powerhouse "Love Me, Love Me Not", deLohr Helland's eerily touching "Old Mr. Drew" and Hobson's gorgeous message to a new son, "Hey, Kid".  But the two numbers that completely brought down the house were Hoffer's and Allen's.  Allen demonstrated not only his vocal chops but his outstanding comedic abilities with his foray into the world of overly obsessive relationships with "I Really, Really Love You".  His outrageous facial expressions and physicality took an already hysterical song and really sold it.  And Hoffer's performance of "Sasparilla Safirovich" in some stunning drag was one of the most entertaining and sexiest things I've seen in some time.  Every time I see Hoffer perform anything, I'm completely floored.

So was it a good time?  Yeah!  Does it leave me pining for the next installment of "New Voices" (potentially in December)?  HELL YEAH!  But get in to get your tickets as soon as they're available next time.  They tend to sell out quick.

"New Voices 11" from Contemporary Classics performed at ACT Theatre's Bullitt Cabaret.  For information on upcoming shows, visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=96893384600.

Photo credits: dbinspiredarts.com