By: Izzy Silverman
The Crescendos after finishing their performance of "You Can't Stop the Beat" from "Hairspray." (Photo by: Izzy Silverman)
The Crescendos of Purchase College presented "Musical Marvels" on Friday, April 19, singing a collection of songs from Tony Award-winning musicals.
“I think it was outstanding. They did an amazing job performing and kept the energy up,” said senior communications major Louva Roberts, an audience member.
It was performed in Southside to a live audience, as well as those tuning in via live stream. Many of the audience members were friends and family of singers.
“I came to the show to support some of my incredibly talented friends and I was treated to all that and so much more.” said audience member sophomore communications major Lydia Harada.
Kaelin Viera singing "Someone to Watch Over Me" from "Crazy For You" at dress rehearsal (Photo via:@sunypcrescendo's Instagram)
The singers exhibited emotional singing and acting, such as the slap of Timo Berry prior to singing “Why Can’t You Behave” from “Kiss Me Kate.” Each soloist was limited to the theme of Tony-winning musicals, deciding on their song based on what they wanted to sing and what fit them the best.
An array of outfits were worn, each singer dressing to the mood of their solo. Songs were mainly accompanied by a backtrack, though a few had live instrumentals with senior studio composition major Johnny Calabrese on piano. Also, Berry played guitar during his own solo.
“If I’m going to highlight someone, it would probably be Rowan Keane-Lombardo who absolutely nailed 'Inside Out' from 'A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,'” said Harada. “Their voice is just unbelievable.”
Rowan Keane-Lombardo singing "Inside Out" from "A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder" at dress rehearsal. (Photo via: @sunypcrescendo's Instagram)
“Everyone was so talented. There were a lot of talented people here, so I’m very excited. I'm very happy that I came,“ said audience member, Isaiah Mojica.
The two acts, split by a short intermission, contained 18 songs from musicals ranging from 1949 to 2020, finishing with a group dance to “You Can’t Stop The Beat” from “Hairspray.”
“Dancing along to 'You Can’t Stop The Beat' was a blast. My ability to jog has been wholly replaced by the signature hairspray skip!” said performer Ruby Hentoff, freshman screenwriting and playwriting and creative writing major.
Kim Crossway singing "I Could Have Danced All Night" from "My Fair Lady" at dress rehearsal. (Photo via: @Sunypcrescendo on Instagram)
With auditions open for everyone, the Crescendo offers an opportunity to perform to students.
“I was originally going to declare a major or minor in theater, but that didn’t really work out with my schedule. Show choir is the best way to keep my love for theater alive,” said Hentoff.
These students add singing rehearsals and dance calls into their already busy schedules.
“I thought it was fun overall, it was my first time doing something like this on campus so to be honest it was pretty stressful too,” said performer Jolie Babatunde, a freshman sociology major. “I will probably do it again next semester.”
“We had so much fun, and it wouldn’t have been so fun without you guys in the audience,” director and junior communications major Alex Del Cueto said while closing out the performance, before ending the night with a special goodbye to the graduating seniors.