Start spreading the news… Manhattan Melodies Rocked the House!

 

Last Saturday night the combined student choirs One-A-Chord and Crossfire joined forces with other church talents to bring a night of fun, food, fellowship and Broadway entertainment like Mt. Bethel has never seen!

The event started as choir students served a delicious Tapas-style meal to over 280 guests who bought tickets in an effort to raise funds for their choir tour. Students sang and danced to hits such as 42nd Street, New York, New York and Lullaby of Old Broadway. And if that was not enough, the crowd was thrilled to have Associate Ministers Diane Parrish and Vaughn Stafford each share a solo number and then nearly bring the audience to tears with their duet “All I Ask of You” from Phantom of the Opera.

Music interns John Brown and Matthew Sparkman provided a bit of comedic relief while Drama director Brittany Leazer donned a cowboy boots and hat and shared a solo from Annie Get Your Gun. The Kingsman were kind to add a spirited number from South Pacific and Youth Choir Director Suzanne Tucker even joined in the fun with a solo from Guys and Dolls.  Sprinkled throughout the Three Act evening, several students were able to spotlight their Broadway talents with solo performances from Katie Hollenshead, Jenna Meredith, Samantha Rascle, Kevin Geiger, Savannah Perdue and a duet with Alexa Combs and Laura Shepherd.

The final number was a joint effort with both the Middle and High school choirs sharing “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray which was the perfect topper to the evening of tapas! The event was a huge hit with not only the students and the audience… but the Youth Choir Budget as well! Thanks to the addition of a successful silent auction, this evening of entertainment raised over $4000 to help offset cuts in the department.

With all of the food, music and excitement of New York’s Broadway without having to leave East Cobb, perhaps Mt. Bethel will make this an annual event!