For three seasons, the Wick Theatre has spared no expense on its lavish productions, from its ambitious, award-winning choreography to its ambitious casting—the latter often comprised of familiar faces from Broadway and television history. But there’s one element that has been persistently missing: the presence of a live orchestra adding immediacy, excitement and grandeur to the musicals.
Musical tracks may be technically flawless, but they’re also as sterile as an mp3 in an age of increasingly warm vinyl. By providing music live under the direction of a seasoned musical-theater conductor, an orchestra pit would elevate the Wick to a higher level.
Hence the Wick’s upcoming, two-day gala “funraiser,” titled “Some Enchanted Evening,” on April 2-3. If enough funds are raised, the Wick will be able to afford the expensive installation of an orchestra pit and a partial fly loft. The theater also hopes to afford vital upgrades to its telephone and computer networking systems.
“The first three years were years of exploration for us,” said Wick founder and executive producer Marilynn Wick, in a statement. “We needed to test the waters and see if the community was committed enough to support the programming we visualized. After three highly successful seasons, we are confident that the support is there and now we are committed to sustaining this operation through a well-planned, long-term fundraising program.”
The gala costs $200 on April 2 and $95 on April 3, and attendees will receive a grand soiree for their generosity. Both days will feature a Costume Museum tour and concert by Nat Chandler, star of the Wick’s recent “South Pacific” (hence the “Enchanted Evening” theme), who will perform a revue of Broadway favorites, many from previous and future Wick shows. Saturday’s higher-ticketed event also includes drinks, dancing, dinner-by-the-bite and a decadent dessert array. For more information, call 561/995-2333 or visit thewick.org.
