After a 20-month hiatus, Richmond’s Gateway Theatre is welcoming back audiences with a new in-person concert celebrating the festive season and all things Broadway.
A Broadway Holiday will take centre stage in December and feature classic holiday tunes from Broadway shows.
Barbara Tomasic, Gateway Theatre’s director of artistic programs and co-creator of the concert, told the Richmond News that the new show is celebrating everything they love about Broadway, the upcoming holiday season and the feeling of being together.
“When we knew we could be back this year. We started to think about finding that spirit and joy in a fun, playful and safe way,” said Tomasic.
“The concert is like going to a holiday party and there are a bunch of people with their instruments singing, talking, and having a great time. It’s going to be fun.”
The show took a year’s worth of planning with the help of Christopher King, another creator of the concert, according to Tomasic, and features festive hits from Broadway musicals, such as “Let it Snow,” “Sleigh Ride” and “White Christmas.”
The show’s music, made with new arrangements, is performed by seven musician-singers playing a variety of instruments, including the piano, the kazoo, and the accordion.
“Instead of having a big orchestra, we decided to go with a smaller group of people, but their talents are worthy of a giant orchestra,” noted Tomasic.
With the devastating floods and many bad things happening in the world, Tomasic wishes for this show to bring hope to community members since art can always “shake us outside of our world.”
A digital video-on-demand version will also be available for people who feel more comfortable enjoying the performance at home.
Gateway Theatre is also offering patrons an option to pay “whatever they can” for those who cannot afford the full ticket prices.
Proof of vaccination, along with a picture ID, is required at the door. Masks must be worn indoors all times unless patrons are under the age of five or have a physical or medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask.
The concert will run from Dec. 16 to 23 and for more information, visit http://www.gatewaytheatre.com/broadway-holiday.
