Broadway Nights - here we go

Broadway is that section of New York City where theatrical performances, mainly musicals, are put on in the more than 40 professional theatres. On June 29 and 30, Colombo will get the opportunity to sample a wide variety of Broadway songs at the Russian Centre.

The cream of Colombo's New Gen singers, have gathered together to show-case, some of Broadway's well-known as well as not- so- well- known duets and solos .

Twenty eight year old Asitha Tennekoon, one of the most outstanding tenors in the country is also a teacher at Music Matters - a music school founded by the enigmatic Eshantha Peiris. Asitha in his dealings with his young students realised that it was time to expose youngsters to Broadway music and songs. At the same time it would be a good way for the older generation to reminisce their favorite Broadway hits.

Asitha reckons 'we do have Broadway shows presented here in Colombo like Evita most recently but I wanted to give a whole range of songs from a range of concerts to the audience.

Melanie Bibile

I love: Family
I hate: injustice
My biggest fan:
- husband / mother
My Favourite lullaby:
Golden slumbers
Drink before a
performance -
water with honey
and cinnamon

We have the voices for that. I approached the other five who were really enthusiastic about this because such a performance has never been produced in Colombo before.'

Eshantha Peiris - the pianist beyond compare in Colombo will man the piano while the entire range of vocal types from Lawyer Laknath as the baritone, Asitha himself will sing tenor, Melanie Bibile of Evita fame will be the alto and Peshali Yapa - well known for her choir training will sing in Mezzo soprano while Anagi Perera will handle the soprano.

Asitha's selection of songs has been done keeping the different voices in mind. The singers themselves are young, enthusiastic and vibrant. They are harmonious in their different voices and personalities. The youngest two - Melanie and Anagi - both managers of the home-front that includes two kids each, insist that their kids are their worst critics.

This fuels them to perform even better when not singing just lullabies. Cool and collected Peshali Yapa is a performer in the true sense of the word. Asitha and Laknath, both busy with their jobs as music teacher and lawyer, still find time to practice with the girls for the many duets and solos that they hope to perform for the audience on the nights of the 29th and 30th of June.

Here is a little insight into each of their bubbly and fun musical personalities :