Copacabana - The Story Begins...

 

Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl!

So begins the saga of Tony and Lola.

Their tale of love and romance on the way to stardom has captured millions, and is now a full-scale Broadway musical fantasy, which is HLOS's next production in March 2013.

Original songs created by Barry Manilow, dazzling costumes, spectacular sets and sensational choreography all add up to an evening of entertainment that will leave you breathless!

We know the song, but what of the musical itself?

The story follows Stephen, a young aspiring songwriter, as he composes what he hopes will become a hit musical.

His imagination takes him back to 1947 as he creates a story surrounding an ambitious young singer Lola de Mar who arrives in New York City from Tulsa hoping to become a star.

Meanwhile, Tony Forte, a 1947 incarnation of Stephen, is attempting to make it as a songwriter while tending bar at the famous Copacabana Nightclub. Tony instantly falls for Lola as she wanders into the Copacabana. He, along with former "Copa Girl" Gladys, introduce her to the owner of the club, Sam Silver, to get her a job as a new Copa Girl. The two try to make it in New York in their respective fields, but do not find it easy. After Tony helps Lola improve a song written by her former music teacher, Sam gives her a job as a Copa Girl at his club. Tony and Lola fall in love as Tony writes a song for Lola as she listens.

Stephen's voice can be heard narrating the events as Rico Castelli, an Italian gangster from Cuba, enters the Copacabana with the now-waning star Conchita Alvarez. Sam confronts Rico about the disappearance of Copa Girls each time he comes to the club, and demands he leave. However, Rico, armed with thugs, is able to stay long enough to meet and develop an interest in Lola de Mar. He drugs her and flies her back to Havana, Cuba, to star in his own nightclub - the Tropicana.

In Havana, Rico informs Conchita that she will be replaced by a new, younger actress, Lola. Conchita, frustrated and upset, goes to Lola in order to 'welcome' her. Back at the Tropicana, Tony, Sam and Gladys learn that Lola was kidnapped and taken to Cuba. Tony immediately heads to save her, and Sam, after some convincing by Gladys, agrees to hep him. Conchita, initially intending to threaten Lola, finds that she is truly a victim, and instead treats her with sympathy. Stephen can be seen again, this time expressing his love for the troubled Lola, while also sharing his lament, for she is merely a figment of his imagination.

Tony and Sam, now in Cuba, find Conchita and ask her for her help. She agrees and pretends to guide Lola to become her replacement, while telling her to play along. Near the end of the Tropicana performance of 'El Bravo', Tony runs on stage, reunited with Lola once again. However, Rico is close behind, waving a gun and points the barrel at Tony.

A single gun shot is heard ... but just who shot who?

Back in the present, Stephen has finished his song and his wife, Samantha is urging him to dress for their anniversary dinner. Stephen realises that Lola was simply an incarnation of his wife, and finds he has a new sense of love for her.

Rehearsals are well underway, and we will be bringing you weekly (crosses fingers) updates from various members of the production.

The show itself is on at Harpenden Public Halls, 18-23 March 2013 and tickets ARE NOW ON SALE online at www.hlos.ticketsource.co.uk, or by email hlostickets@live.co.uk. Phone and postal bookings will open on January 1st 2013.

Pirates of Penzance (Broadway Version)

PHEW!

What a week that was.

A fantastic time was had by cast, crew and audience at our most recent production, Gilbert & Sullivan's popular comic opera "The Pirates of Penzance" - the Broadway Version.

Below is the review from the Herts Advertiser:

Pirates of Broadway (John Manning)

Even though the Broadway version of Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance may not tick all the right boxes for the purists it is still a thoroughly delightful show.

And although the version the Harpenden Light Operatic Society is putting on is more modern than most productions, it is still tremendous fun.

With its typically complex story complete with a slightly deep and possibly up-to-date political edge, this is a show full of good music and fun.

Putting most of the characters into modern dress did absolutely no harm to Harpenden's version, even though I am sure some audience members would have preferred to see more traditional costumes.

But the important thing was the quality of performance and the standard of the music and both of these came out with top marks.

Hero, Frederick, played by Andrew Whelan, and heroine Mabel, played by Isobel Handley, were both first class. The two artists had good voices and plenty of acting ability.

Similarly, Tom Handley as the Pirate King and Colette Eagle as Ruth, the possible villains of the piece put in tremendous performances and they were soundly backed by an excellent cast of sisters, pirates and policement.

But for me the real star of the show was long-standing society member David Crew as Major-General Stanley.

After more than 40 years of treading the boards with society, David's performance was full of confidence yet played with a tremendous freshness and verve as well as fun. It's perhaps worth noting that he has played most of the baritone leads in the society's G&S productions over the years, including the Pirate King.

Director John Hebden presented a thoroughly good show and musical director Graham Thomson managed an extremely good band of musicians - although sometimes their enthusiasm meant it was a little difficult for the audience to hear the singers.

If there problems, they were small and on the technical side and, as I was attending the first night, I am sure the will be solved well before the show at Harpenden Public Halls ends on Saturday.

It's a Grand Night for Singing

Welcome to the first post from Harpenden Light Operatic Society.

We take a different direction for our Spring show by staging the musical extravaganza "A Grand Night for Singing".

Packed full of Rodgers & Hammerstein favourites, but with fresh new musical arrangements by Fred Wells, this show is an emotional journey through the highs and lows of love, beautifully explored through the stunning music and lyrics of Rodgers & Hammerstein.

It transports you from the fun and frolics of Oklahoma to South Pacific, The Kind & I and The Sound of Music (our show for October 2013!), to name but a few. However, what makes the show such fun and so entertaining is that all of the songs take on a new meaning and are set in a different context from the original productions.

The show is on from Tuesday 27th March through to Saturday 31st March 2012, including Saturday Matinee, at Harpenden Public Halls.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.hlos.ticketsource.co.uk - and to wet your appetite have a listen to our trailer: