Program

Vanity Fair said of The Greatest Show “If you start your big musical movie with a song called ‘The Greatest Show,’ you’re setting up some pretty big expectations. One could almost call it hubris.” We open A Miracle Production with that same hubris, in an opening number led by a ringmaster familiar to most Holy Cross audiences, Jim Walsh. The song kicks off the 2017 movie musical The Greatest Showman, a deeply fictionalized biography of P.T. Barnum as he opens the Barnum and Bailey Circus. 

Friend Like Me is a dance-forward R&B take on the 1992 Robin Williams’ Aladdin marvel performed by Grammy Award Winner Ne-Yo. In our version, choreographed by Addie Lewis, the Genie not only displays her own immense power and talent, but, like a true friend, helps Aladdin (Neal Belden) discover his groove.

If I Were a Rich Man features Tevye (Dennis Nelson), a dutiful Jewish dairyman living in the Russian Empire, discussing his dreams and frustrations in a prayer for wealth. The song is one of many beloved numbers from Fiddler on the Roof, which explores themes of love, family, and the enduring power of faith.

Do You Love Me?, also from Fiddler on the Roof follows Tevye (Dennis Nelson) and his wife Golde (Sarah Mason) delve into the complexities of love, companionship, and the changing roles within a traditional relationship.

The women take the stage next in Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Originally recorded by ABBA in 1979, choreographer Neal Belden has transformed it into a high-energy, disco-infused number in the jukebox musical Mamma Mia! featuring Shea Jones, Katrina Poff, and Jami Warren. The song's infectious rhythm perfectly captures the carefree spirit of youth and the anticipation of a wild night out.

This Is the Moment throws us into Jekyll & Hyde, a musical adaptation of the classic Robert Louis Stephenson novella. Matthew Thornton brings us into the moment Dr. Jekyll decides to inject himself with the serum that turns him into the murderous Mr. Hyde. In our version, Mr. Thornton will leave the stage before he can do any damage.

Mell Scarbrough, Dwayne Clements, and Dennis Nelson lead our men in the Grammy-Award-Winning hit I'm Just Ken, from 2023’s Barbie. Ken (yes, like the doll) grapples with his second-place status in the Barbieverse.

Phantom of the Opera is Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical masterpiece, adapted from Gaston Leroux's classic novel. Since its debut, it has captivated audiences worldwide with its haunting score, opulent sets, and dramatic storytelling. The soaring duet All I Ask of You captures the longing between Christine (Jami Warren) and Raoul (Zach Fisher) for a life together. Its beautiful melodies and heartfelt lyrics express their love and hope, set against the haunting shadow of the Phantom's obsession.

The Plagues is one of just five songs from The Prince of Egypt to move from the 1998 animated film to the 2020 West End musical. The song displays the emotional turmoil of Moses (William Warren) as he warns of divine wrath upon Egypt, as well as the conflict between his love for his brother Ramses (Neal Belden) and the divine mandate he must fulfill.

Six is a 2017 pop concert-style musical that reimagines the lives of Henry VIII's six wives as a competition. Heart of Stone delivers Jane Seymour (Katrina Poff), Henry VIII's third wife, as she asserts her enduring love for her son, showcasing a powerful and unexpected side to the often-overlooked queen.

Les Misérables is a twice-revived Broadway phenomenon based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, following the lives of French outcasts as they navigate love, redemption, and revolution. One Day More captures the collective hopes and dreams of the show’s complex cast of characters on the eve of revolution.

Featuring Jim Walsh as Jean Val Jean, Matthew Thornton as Marius, Shea Jones as Cosette, Addie Lewis as Eponine, Neal Belden as Enjolras, Sarah Mason and Dwayne Clements as The Thenardiers, and Mell Scarbrough as Javert

Intermission

Comedy Tonight is the exuberant opening number of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, setting the tone for a night of farcical fun. Sarah Mason narrates as Prologus through infectious energy and witty rhymes, while we showcase some of Holy Cross Theatre Ministry’s more memorable looks.

The Song That Goes Like This goes like this. It’s from Spamalot, a musical adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It’s sung by Neal Belden and Shea Jones.

Composer and playwright Jonathan Larson is best known for Rent, but William Warren brings us a number from his lesser-known autobiographical rock monologue Tick…Tick… Boom!, finished posthumously in 2001 by David Auburn. 30/90 is an exploration of Larson’s mental state on the leadup to his 30th birthday in 1990 as he struggles with aging and lack of accomplishment.

Real-life married couple Jami and William Warren portray fictional married couple Bea and Nick Bottom, with a little help from real-life annoying friend Zach Fisher portraying fictional annoying brother Nigel Bottom in Right Hand Man from Something Rotten! With witty lyrics and infectious rhythm, the song celebrates their partnership and Bea's determination to prove herself as an equal in the male-dominated world of 16th Century England, as the characters try to write a hit show to compete with William Shakespeare.

Moulin Rouge! is a dazzling musical spectacle set in the vibrant world of Bohemian Paris. With a captivating blend of love and ambition, the show explores the passionate and tragic romance between a young poet and a dazzling courtesan. El Tango de Roxanne, as choreographed by Neal Belden and performed alongside Addie Lewis, captures the raw emotion and forbidden love at the heart of the story.

Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 is a modern opera based on a section of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. In Dust and Ashes, Pierre (Zach Fisher) descends into his own personal turmoil and sense of isolation.

Hamilton’s revolutionary approach to storytelling and diverse casting redefined the possibilities of musical theater, inspiring a new generation of creators and audiences. The Schuyler Sisters introduces the dynamic trio of Angelica (Addie Lewis), Eliza (Jami Warren), and Peggy (Jessica Grummer-Strawn) Schuyler, setting the stage for their pivotal roles in Alexander Hamilton's life as they encounter future Vice President Aaron Burr (Neal Belden) in the early days of the American Revolution in the “greatest city in the world.”

Katrina Poff closes our show with Children of Eden, from the musical of the same name, serving as a poignant reflection on the complexities of faith, family, and the cyclical nature of life. The song encapsulates the show's themes of creation, redemption, and the enduring hope for humanity.