Stars on Parade - Christmas Special
The Stars were indeed on parade at the Lionel Wendt on the weekend of November 28 and 29. The Creative Arts Foundation along with Jith Pieris, who directed the show, provided all with an unforgettable evening of rising young stars in Broadway glamour. The Christmas special, which was one of the first for the season, highlighted the new up and coming young talents within us.
The program for the evening was an entertaining as well as varied one. Three major choirs, the Sound Sounds Junior Choir conducted by Soundarie David Rodrigo, the Menaka Singers conducted by Menaka De Fonseka Sahabandu and Francis D' Almeida conducting the Stafford International School Choir impressed the audience with their musicality, the precision and accuracy in deliverance and of course the melodious tunes that reverberated through the halls of the Lionel Wendt leaving the audience in wonderment.
The show started with with a delightful old favourite “Santa Baby”, sung by Dilini Perera, and she went on to sing many more old favourites entertaining the audience with her talented and energetic performance. The evening also brought to light some newcomers to the Wendt stage, Suren Jayasinghe and Sharuni Weerasinghe, the two youngest soloists in the concert who were part of the Soul Sounds school, vowed the audience with their renditions of “Where is love” from the musical Oliver and “White Christmas” respectively. Gehan Cooray was phenomenal in his renditions of some favourites classics such as “I've got you under my skin” and “I will follow you”.
Whilst Amandhi Caldera's performance of some old time Christmas classics was sweet and delightful, bringing a certain Christmas cheer over the audience. A few favourites operatic pieces “Habarnera” from the Opera Carmen and “Ave Maria” was executed with such precision by Joanne. Brindhini Perera's solo performance of “ I believe” left many an awed audience member. There were also many superb instrumental pieces performed.
A piano duet between Shyamalee and Hemali was both playful and entertaining keeping the audience tickled with their feuding performance of “Chopsticks”. The violinists brought a certain charm to the show, with Navin's talented performance off Czardas...V monti in particular bringing the audience to applause.
The evening was indeed filled with Stars, the old Christmas classics mingled with some Broadway tunes accentuated with some phenomenally played instrumental pieces, truly, was an amazing experience for any audience member. The proceeds of the show will be used to buy school supplies for children affected by landslides. Therefore a very entertaining evening, for a much worthy cause, this turely embodies the true Christmas spirit! Merry Christmas to one and all.
Comments from audience members for Stars On Parade
Maya and Jayanthi
It was a good show, the young talent was impressive. We had an entertaining evening.
Harshini
It was a really good evening. The young acts who performed were very talented.
Savanthi and Danisthu
The young talent on show was truly amazing! It was a fun evening.
Asanka
I was very surprised and immensly impressed by the young talent. We have some rising stars!
Shyamalee and Hemali
We had lots of fun taking part in the show. We did a duet where we played the piano piece “Chopsticks”.
Reviewed by Mayuri Jayasinghe
Photographs by Kushan Pathiraja
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