JDProCo's cabaret, 'The Broadway Jam Vol II', was an exhilarating night of musical theatre curated by the amazing Josh Daveta. The venue was packed to the brim and the cast was teeming with insane talent, with each song handpicked by the performers to showcase their versatility. So versatile, in fact, that I found myself faced with a delightful challenge: many of the songs were unfamiliar to me! I mean, how can one be expected to know all these obscure songs, right? But hey, I wasn't the only one lost in this sea of musical surprises. The eclectic mix of tunes kept us all on our toes, eagerly anticipating the next unexpected gem to hit our eardrums.
As Josh, our charismatic MC, explains early on, this show is a celebration of versatility, with selections spanning across decades and genres—from Singin' in the Rain to Rocky Horror to Spring Awakening. Every performer is a natural storyteller... and likely professionally trained, but who's counting? They transported us through different stories, delivering heartfelt ballads and electrifying showstoppers as an array of diverse characters, albeit detached from their original contexts, because that's how JDProCo rolls.
Act 1: Stories in Song
The show opened with Heidi Enchelmaier leading the ensemble in a soulful and stirring rendition of "Mama Who Bore Me" from Spring Awakening. Stumbling out with a gin bottle in hand, Fiona Buchanan completely morphed into Miss Hannigan for her comedic rendition of "Little Girls" from Annie—one of many laugh-out-loud moments throughout the night.
Nathaniel Savy mesmerised the crowd with "Simply Second Nature" from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Sitting front row, I can tell you this: there was a literal twinkle in this man's eyes—a magical quality that, combined with his divine voice, made it clear he would make an incredible Willy Wonka. You could feel his love for the role pouring out, embodying the eccentricity of the character flawlessly.
Josh Daveta's elegant rendition of "Stars and Moon" from Songs for a New World was an unexpected yet beautiful choice that perfectly complemented the reflective tone of Act 1. It was clear that storytelling was at the heart of this act, with each artist pouring their soul into their chosen ballad. I found myself clinging to every lyric in a way I don't normally do with mainstream music.
Kristin Sparks performing "Sexy" from Mean Girls was a standout crowd favourite, absolutely nailing it with her full commitment to the character. She was adorable, hilarious, and, well... sexy! Although I have always loved this song, experiencing it live for the first time was a special treat, thanks to Kristin's portrayal of Karen's ditzy charm. Another highlight of the evening came from Grace Royle, whose rendition of "Sweet Transvestite" from The Rocky Horror Picture Show had the audience shivering with antici.............pation. They channeled the iconic character's spirit while adding their own soulful touch and fabulous flair!
The full ensemble number "For Now" from Avenue Q exploded with energy and sheer joy that the cast experienced on stage. Aysa Garcia Wong's beautiful rendition of "The River" - from the brand new Alicia Keys musical Hell’s Kitchen - captivated the crowd, while Sam Caruana stepped into the shoes of Frankie Valli to deliver "I’m in the Mood for Love" from Jersey Boys. His incredible vocal range, seamless register switching, and falsetto left the audience in awe. Heidi offered up another jaw-dropper with "Another Life" from The Bridges of Madison County. Although I had never heard this song before, I find myself itching to learn it now. Heidi captivates with the beauty of her storytelling by painting a vivid picture through her voice and expression.
Kyla Price shone brightly with "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from The Phantom of the Opera, infusing the classic ballad with even more emotional resonance than I thought possible. Hayden Rodgers wowed everyone with their performance of "Snow Angel," popularised by Renee Rapp, showcasing impressive melismas that had the audience gaping and nodding in appreciation. Chelsea Sales sang "Quiet" from Thirteen Stories Down, displaying an astonishing grace and beautiful voice that never fails to shock me, no matter how many times I see her on the stage.
Act 2: The Younger Years
Act 2 took a playful turn, with the seasoned performers embracing younger, often teenage, characters. It was both nostalgic and refreshing to see these familiar characters reimagined by this cast. Heidi, complete with fairy wings and tiara, portrayed a very young girl while performing “My Party Dress” from Henry and Mudge. Her talent was on full display as she nailed the persona of a hyperactive child. It was hilarious, adorable, and had the entire audience in fits of laughter. Kristin Sparks took on the tough solo of "Home" as the spunky Lydia from Beetlejuice, absolutely nailing the performance with her strong vocals. Plus, "Candy Store" from Heathers by Kristin, Chelsea, and Aysa, was every bit as good as you would expect it to be.
Nathaniel returned to the stage and soared with "Giants in the Sky" from Into the Woods as the adventurous Jack. This is no easy song to sing—it’s fast, intricate, and packed with lyrics—but Nathaniel was up for the challenge. Sure he stumbled over some tricky sections (who hasn't struggled with Sondheim?), but he recovered brilliantly, charming the audience with his genuine and playful approach to the song.
Hayden Rodgers waved their wand and transformed into Elphaba for a powerful rendition of "The Wizard and I" from Wicked. This song holds a special place in my heart, and Hayden did not disappoint. Their vocal acrobatics and sustains were simply astounding. You could feel the passion radiating from them, creating a truly magical performance. Adding to the charm, Georgie Taylor delivered a sugary sweet, acoustic rendition of "Singin’ in the Rain," bringing smiles to all our faces.
In a sweet surprise, Aysa Garcia Wong and Hayden joined forces for a duet of "Tonight" from West Side Story, and it was spine-tingling. The sparks were flying as they channeled their inner teen lovers Tony and Maria, their voices harmonising beautifully. Sam Caruana took on "No Turning Back Now", made famous by Jeremy Jordan, a poignant song about a 17-year-old's hopes and fears about becoming a dad. His vocal performance was top-tier (obviously), and the emotional depth he brought to the song was incredibly sincere.
Fiona delivered a hauntingly beautiful rendition of "The Man That Got Away" from A Star Is Born, and Grace followed up with a powerful performance of "Midnight Radio" from Hedwig and the Angry Inch, both commanding the stage with their presence. Then, Josh channeled Fairy Godmother from Shrek 2 and brought massive energy with "Holding Out for a Hero," even allowing the audience to sing along—something I’d been hoping for all night! In a humorous and unexpected twist to the setlist, Chelsea transformed into Pearl alongside Sam as Mr. Krabs for a delightful performance of "Daddy Knows Best" from SpongeBob The Musical.
Josh and Kyla's memorable duet of "No One" from Hell's Kitchen displayed their harmonious blend, forming a stunning moment of connection as Kyla accompanied on the piano. The night ended with a bang as the cast joined forces for a powerful and polished performance of "You Will Be Found" from Dear Evan Hansen. The harmonies were tight, the emotion was felt, and it became a genuine celebration of belonging and community. You could see how much this moment meant to the performers and I walked away feeling completely uplifted.
Jakey Bristow provided musical accompaniment for all the songs during the evening, elevating the performances with his exceptional piano skills, and seamlessly incorporating tracks to enhance standout pieces like Heathers and Dear Evan Hansen. Under the leadership of Josh Daveta, the atmosphere within this production company is undeniably filled with joy. The sense of belonging was felt by every single audience member, and I, for one, can't wait to return for the next installment in 2025. The Broadway Jam is clearly a labour of love, and you can feel it in every note sung and every lyric shared.
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