Sweet Charity
The audience were in for a real treat Tuesday 9 - Saturday 14 May when our production of Sweet Charity was launched in the School Hall. The lighting and set looked amazing as the backdrop of a New York dance hall was created using pink light animations of the city skyline on screens. It was difficult recognising all of the chorus in their fetching attire of glitter was something to behold!
Charity Hope Valentine played by Imogen Wells was a superb characterisation – her singing and dancing was an outstanding strength creating a strong story line with humour and hilarious innuendo. After experiencing shows in London and New York, Imogen’s and the team’s performance was equal to any of those professional productions – well done!
Hermann played by Taylor Mills was a delightful foil with great dramatic impact and a well oiled New York accent. Charity’s two close friends – Helene (Louise Grey) and Nickie (Lucy Connell) performed and sang superbly – their attitude and behaviours perfectly underpinned by excellent vocal work. The Dilworth boys were admirable adding great depth to choral parts and the touch of finesse to dance and chorus lines. Vittorio Vidal played by Ben Robertson and Oscar Lindquist played by Karac Pool were outstanding in both acting and singing. Well done!
Catherine Blackburn leading the dance troupe was brilliant (especially as the fairy in the final scene!). Her leadership and the quality of dance created impact and entertainment.
The entire performance was supported by the orchestra conducted by David Gordon – one can only be in awe of the work involved to execute such an entire musical production. We also acknowledge the very special contribution of Director Nancy Schroder for creating such an awesome show.
In presenting Sweet Charity we are indebted to families, Diocesan and Dilworth staff and the many friends who have supported this production. Diocesan parent Mike Stuart, owner of Akron generously provided the scaffolding for the lighting and set which was transformed our hall into a magical theatre. Thanks also to Delmaine Fine Foods, Bettjemans Hair Salon, Mecca Cosmetica and Equipoise for their donations of prizes for the raffles.
We are indebted to Charlotte Brebner and Rosey Eady of Dio Arts for organising the raffles and refreshments and we also thank “Snapper” for his work in creating the lighting arrangements. As usual, there are many staff behind the scenes working tirelessly and at the end of Saturday night’s performance, there will be some very weary girls and staff ready for a break!
Musical Director David Gordon was thrilled with the audience’s response to Sweet Charity. “Our students are presenting one of the greatest of musical theatre and give audiences the opportunity for a top flight evening’s entertainment." The Dio Hall was transformed into a real theatre for the show, and the cast powered through the big numbers such as Big Spender, Rhythm of Life, If They Could See Me Now and many more, much to the audience’s delight.
Comments from audience members were...
“The show was great – very well performed and a lot of fun.”
“The costumes were wonderful and the sets and lighting made the very most of the stage space.”
“The cast was very strong and your leading lady was quite outstanding. Her two female foils were also wonderful.”
“Everyone from the Producer, Musical Director and Choreographer down should feel very proud.”
“Imogen Wells is a rising Broadway star!”
“Charity was in character all the time and was a joy to watch.”
“I loved the dance sequences, colourful costumes and captivating music”
Akron gives a lift to Sweet Charity
Dio dad Mike Stuart saw the plea came out in Dio Beat for some help with scaffolding to build the set for Sweet Charity. His company, Akron Trade Centre is Auckland’s leading supplier of scaffolding, and paint and painting equipment. With premises conveniently located in Penrose the opportunity at Dio became a match made in heaven. Once Sweet Charity Director Nancy Schroder and lighting designer Michael “Snapper” Green had seen the possibilities the Sweet Charity set took off.
Mike and Akron supplied both labour and materials to build the set, and even took care to provide us with shiny new scaffolding so the set looked immaculate
