Two Broadway veterans participating in the Western Playhouse production of “Mother Divine” this summer will present master classes at Missouri Western State University. Randy Davis will present “Dance Your Way to Broadway” from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, July 14, and Colin Welford will present “Sing Your Way to Broadway” from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 15. The cost of each class is $25, and participants must register in advance by calling 816-271-4100 by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10.
Randy Davis plays the role of Father Divine and is choreographer for “Mother Divine.” He has been in numerous Broadway shows and national tours throughout his career, including the Broadway revival of “Guys & Dolls” with Peter Gallagher, Faith Prince and Nathan Lane, with a featured role in the “Crapshooter’s Ballet.” In “Cats,” Davis played Mistoffelles, and enthralled audiences on stage and film as Noodler the Pirate in Cathy Rigby’s “Peter Pan.” As a dance captain, he assisted in the original Broadway production of “All Shook Up,” featuring the music of Elvis. Davis’ master class is brought to you by a partnership between Western Playhouse and McCoy Rigby Entertainment of Yorba Linda, Calif. Davis was also the choreographer for Western Playhouse’s production of “The Music Man” last month.
Colin Welford is the musical director and has made some new musical arrangements for “Mother Divine.” He was world-wide music supervisor for Disney’s “The Lion King” and conductor for cast albums in Germany, Holland and Spain. Welford studied at Oxford University, the Royal College of Music, the University of Miami and Columbia College. He has been involved in numerous productions on Broadway and in London’s West End as well as national touring productions. Class participants should prepare a song as if auditioning for a specific Broadway show. The song should not be from the show itself, but should be stylistically appropriate.
“Mother Divine” opens Friday, July 11 and continues through Saturday, July 19. For more information, visit www.westernplayhouse.com.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.