Thursday, June 27, 2013

Showstoppers offers memorable performances of popular favorites

Relive some of your favorite Broadway numbers in Showstoppers: A Musical Revue, Thursday and Friday night!

In just two short weeks, Patel Conservatory Theater students have put together an evening of memorable performances!

“It’s all about the process,” said guest instructor Quentin Earl Darrington. “We may only have a short time together, but what they’ve learned here, they’ll be able to use and take with them wherever they go.”

Ian Burns, left, gets tips from guest instructor
 Quentin Darrington in rehearsal.
A Broadway veteran, Darrington joined us this week to work with the students and help with the production.

“I helped the students with the rehearsal process, helped them think about their own process and their choices, that helps them develop their characters,” he said.

Darrington got his start at the Jaeb Theater as part of the cast of the Center Theatre Company while an undergraduate at the University of South Florida. He went on to star in Ragtime on Broadway, and the Broadway touring productions of Memphis: A New Musical, Ragtime, The Lion King and The Color Purple.

As a young performer, the six-foot, broad shouldered actor chose theater over athletics.

“I fell in love with [acting]. I loved the challenge of it - the memorization and analysis of a script. I attacked it just like I would a sport.”

His passion for the arts was clear as he worked with the students in the intimate Jaeb Theater, where he began his career.

Students will get to show off all they’ve learned in this crowd pleasing cabaret-style show this evening and tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the Jaeb Theater at the Straz Center.

Directed and choreographed by Patel Conservatory musical theater instructor Adam Wagner, the show includes a cast of more than 30 students performing popular songs as Under Pressure from We Will Rock You, Seasons of Love from Rent and songs from Evita, South Pacific and more!

For tickets, call 813.229.STAR(7827), or visit www.strazcenter.org.

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