The Southwestern College music and theatre departments will present “Builder Broadway” on Friday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Richardson Performing Arts Center in the Christy Administration Building.   Admission for the show is $5.

Matt Berthot, who teaches vocal music at Winfield High School, is in the master’s program at Southwestern College.  As part of his studies, this semester he has been teaching a musical theatre ensemble class.  This show is the final exam for his students.

“Builder Broadway” will include ensemble numbers from shows such as “Ragtime,” “Hairspray,” “Sweeney Todd,” and “Les Miserables.”  There will also be solo selections from other shows including “The Lion King,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “The Last Five Years,” “The Book of Mormon,” and other great musicals.  A total of 24 selections will be performed.

“This will be an extraordinary evening of entertainment,” says Roger Moon, director of theatre at Southwestern College.

Students performing from the musical theatre ensemble class include: Jeremiah Roberts, Cody Davis, Chris Cole, Anthony Gropper, Shane Clark-Schrag, Dylan Hart, Justin Tinker, Christian Pressley, Joe Tran, Arden Moon, Julz Faust, Stephanie Wheeler, Lenita Krejci, Lauren Dentscheff, and Erin Buster.

Cynthia Compton, Billie Bearden, and Nick Hofmeister will accompany Berthot for the program. 

“It has been my privilege to work with Roger Moon, Cynthia Compton, and these amazing students,” Berthot says. “The students have been hungry to learn and get better from the very first rehearsal and even wanted to have a rehearsal on Easter Sunday to make sure they were ready for this performance. They are hard working, dedicated, talented, amazing individuals, who want to be their best and grow into their full-potential.”

“Matt Berthot has great interest, talent, and skill in musical theatre,” Moon says.  “He has shown all of those attributes while at Winfield High School with his ‘Vikings on Broadway’ productions.  Allyson and I, along with others at Southwestern, have had the opportunity to work with Matt in several summer productions, and we are thrilled to have the excitement of collaborating together as we support his growth and education here at Southwestern, as well as all our SC students.  And the audiences are going to love it.”

The recital sets are based on designs of Judy Barnes, Winfield artist, and created by Lauren Dentscheff; lighting was designed by William Eugene Lindsey. The concert will be stage managed by Lael Porter, the Southwestern College Richardson Performing Arts Center manager, and Lisa Prater. Assisting in sound design will be Danny Mouangdy, Sydney Anderson, and Katy Buffum. 

Moon and performing arts chair Tim Shook have been advising Berthot throughout the semester.

Devices to assist those with hearing problems are available in the box office, and an area is reserved for handicapped patrons and their companions in the rear of the hall.