Chorale offers an evening with Andrew Lloyd Webber

Each spring the Evergreen Chorale stages its annual musical, but this year the Chorale is trying a new format: Rather than one staged musical, the Chorale will feature musical excerpts from 10 of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most famous shows. The songs will be staged with costumes and choreography so the audience gets the best and brightest from Lloyd Webber’s signature works.

This magical evening offers excerpts of Lloyd Webber’s most celebrated compositions: “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Cats,” “Evita,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Starlight Express,” “Sunset Boulevard,” “Aspects of Love” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” as well as many other Lloyd Webber favorites.

“He’s one of the most diverse and best-loved composers in the world,” says Chorale production manager Pam Erickson.

“It’s such a joy to be bringing all of these works to the stage.”

The show opens with the frenetic and haunting beats of “The Phantom of the Opera.” The stage fills with the women in their opera finery. As the notes creep into the minds of the audience, the men emerge from the darkened stage in capes and Phantom masks. It’s one of those musical theater moments that make your heart skip a beat.

The rest of the show features the entire Chorale, along with various soloists and duets, bringing to life those tunes that stick in your head for weeks. “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina,” “Any Dream Will Do” from “Joseph,” “Love Changes Everything” from “Aspects of Love.” You’ll also hear several pieces that may not be as familiar to you. These are perhaps the show’s greatest treats.

In 1985, Lloyd Webber wrote a Requiem Mass that premiered in New York. The “Pie Jesu” from this Requiem will be performed by Linda Trenbeath and Quinn Weigers.

Quinn is a fifth-grader at the Montessori School of Evergreen. His voice, on the brink of changing, is sweet and pure. When the boy, who also loves skiing and sports, teams up with Trenbeath, there won’t be a dry eye in the house.

“We have several young people joining the Chorale for this show,” says Erickson. “With Quinn Weigers as the youngest, I think we’ll have a 60-year age span represented on stage.”

The show features Chorale veterans in solo spots such as Donna Worley playing Evita in “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina,” as well as newcomers to the solo parts.

“The show has something for everyone, so it’s been a wonderful way for many different Chorale members to get involved,” says Erickson.

The show’s sponsor, the Brook Forest Inn, is offering affordable dinner and getaway packages for the weekend. For more information, visit www.evergreenchorale.org.

An Evening With Andrew Lloyd Webber

Presented by the Evergreen Chorale on Feb. 20, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

At Center/Stage; 27608 Fireweed Drive in Evergreen.

Tickets: $19 for adults; $17 for students and seniors; $10 for under age 12. For groups of 10-plus, tickets are $16.

For ticket reservations, call 303-674-4002 or visit www.evergreenchorale.org.