U.S. Broadway Director Stages First-Ever Broadway Show with Local Students

February 17, 2009

Choreographer Michael Parks with students from the University of Culture and Arts during the Broadway musical revue

Director and choreographer Michael Parks and pianist John Ferguson spent two weeks in Minsk preparing a group of students from the University of Culture and Arts’ Choreography and Variety Departments to produce the second Broadway musical revue (and the first with student performers) ever staged in Belarus. Extended daily rehearsals throughout two weeks culminated in an enormously successful show featuring song and dance numbers excerpted from such well-known musicals as West Side Story, Chicago, Grease, Hairspray and Rent. The performance was greeted with a standing ovation and was enthusiastically praised by viewers and critics alike. Many participants attested that the modern dance and jazz skills acquired would help them immensely in their future professional activities. Embassy Minsk sponsored the first ever Broadway musical revue in Belarus less than a month ago, which was prepared and performed by a group of Minsk-based professional actors. Both groups of performers attended each others’ shows and are discussing possibilities for future cooperation.

"I Love Broadway!" musical revue (February 17, 2009)