Jamaica Junior Theatre continues to produce excellence

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

It was akin to a large Jamaican family gathering, the younger generation providing entertainment. As would have been expected from such a family concert, some would find it difficult to stay on key, some would show signs of nervousness and some would sing in a flat tone. On the other hand, others would be captivating, show the confidence of seasoned veterans, or just give great performances.

On Sunday, the 21st staging of the Jamaica Junior Theatre (JJT) concert, 'I Have Dreamed', could be described as just that - a family gathering.

In spite of its informal format, the concert was set against elegance and presented on a programme of class selections. However, only some of the young performers were able to deliver the collectibles chosen from popular musicals such as Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon and Les Miserables.

Among those who shone on the overcast evening was past JJI member Samantha Strachan. Showing she was no longer an amateur, she worked the intimate space of the Tucker Avenue-based Alhambra Inn with maturity.

First, it was Mariah Carey's Hero, and later in the second segment of the programme, she gave a splendid interpretation of Whitney Houston's Look to You.

moved audience

But it was the multitalented David Andrew Reid, the unassuming Aisha Ricketts and Melanie Canagaratnam who moved the full house to vocal response. Canagaratnam sang Rodgers & Hammerstein's I Have Dreamed, with a lark-like quality. However, it was with her rendition of Handels' classical, Dove Sei - Art Thou Troubled, that she highlighted control and vocal beauty.

She was excellent in her ren-dition of On My Own, before upping the ante a little with a fantastic performance of Lloyd Webber's Don't Cry for Me Argentina.

But, undeniably, the best act of the evening came from Reid who gave a splendid delivery and interpretation of another of Webber's songs, The Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera. Reid also showed another aspect of his talent as the sole male dancer in the only dance on the programme, a short ballet piece choreographed by Tony Wilson.

That closed part one and left the audience asking for more.

Other outstanding performances also came from Stephanie Hazle, Lisa Spence and the duo of Kristina Carty and Kara Wilson with I Still Believe from Miss Saigon.

other presentations

There were two other presentations of sorts on the programme. One was the sashing of Miss Jamaica Junior Theatre, Anya Mollison, who immediately carried out her first duty by presenting a cheque of $120,000 to Anthony Brodber, who repre-sented the charity group Jerusalem Village in Spanish Town.

Before the donation was made, Bennett explained that whenever the JMTC production is successful, as was the case with the 2011 musical, Fame, The Next Generation, the company donates proceeds from that production to a charity that deals with children's health.

The concert ended with members of the JJT Chorus, singing Rivers of Babylon, the only item with a dramatic entrance.

Later, Bennett told The Gleaner the concept for a concert was because after February, when their season ends, there is nothing else for the members to do until September, the beginning of their season, so he introduced the "in concert presentations" in July.