The songs performed came from a variety of musicals spanning eras and genres. One moment a humorous lament of love from the classic Annie Get Your Gun; the next, a moving reflection from the contemporary mythological retelling, Hadestown. Student duos took the audience to magic forests, diners, and circuses; a few ensembles turned the room into French cafes, Broadway streets, and more. The audience was never quiet for long with whoops of excitement, bouts of laughter, and plenty of applause.
The hosts for the evening, the St. Genesius Players, are a group of students and tutors who collaborate to give students an opportunity to perform and enjoy the theatrical arts. Junior Cece Morlino was the emcee for the night. “I remember my freshman year, I loved [Broadway Night] so much. … It was super exciting to make it happen this year,” she said. “I think it’s a great way to share Broadway with people with awesome songs and shows that people might not know. Tonight especially was great for that.”
Though the lights of Broadway may be 3,000 miles away from Santa Paula, student performers brought their magic to campus — if only for an hour or so.