Lullaby of Broadway showcases musical hits through the ages

Young talents of the Julia Macalpine Studio take the stage on Saturday at their end of the year performance titled “Lullaby of Broadway”. Behind the scenes of the major musical.

Flashy costumes, feisty choreography and foot-tapping musical hits through the ages are on the cards this Saturday as the young performers from the Julia Macalpine Studio put on their end of the year concert at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre.

“It’s a tribute to Broadway so its all the numbers that we really like from every show we’ve ever seen,” said Julia Macalpine, Principal of the Julia Macalpine Dance Studio.

“Everything’s from a musical. Lots of live singing through out the show.”

Young tap dancers Ibuki Joyce, 9, Tane Coleman, 11, and Isabelle Duffy, 9, will lead the junior tap class in 2 performances on Saturday. Photo: Brendan Radke

The dance school puts up a show every two years and preparations for this year’s spectacle started about eight weeks ago.

Students ranging from three to 18 years of age will be performing a range of dance styles.

“You’ll see ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, acro,” Ms Macalpine said.

“We also have some guest artists who have just finished their musical theatre degree at Griffith. They’ve come to join us. Their performances are amazing.”

With this year’s theme of broadway musical hits, Ms Macalpine sought to appeal to a broad audience with enough musical variety from classics like the Rocky Horror Show to Disney favourite the Lion King.

Julia Macalpine Dance Studio senior dancer Maya Coulthard plays the genie in the Prince Ali dance number. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We are trying to entertain the old as well as the young, something for everyone,” Ms Macalpine said.

“When we do a concert we have to make sure we use all our genres. That’s also how we sort of picked it. And making sure its age appropriate.”

The Julia Macalpine Dance Studio operates out of two venues, a main one in Manoora and a second studio in Manunda.

“I’ve been around Cairns teaching for a long time, 40 years next year,” Ms Macalpine said

“I now have my daughter teaching with me, who is just an amazing choreographer. She has done a lot of the work onstage today.”

Lullaby of Broadway runs for a duration of two hours and 20 minutes, including a 20 minute interval.

Bookings are open for the 1pm matinee show and a 7pm evening show this Saturday.

Ticket prices for the dance and music extravaganza range between $35 – $49.

Originally published as Lullaby of Broadway showcases musical hits through the ages