Marsha Oliver
And they certainly were bright at Robson Ranch when the Robson Ranch Singers presented their Spring Show, “On Broadway,” in March to sold-out crowds.
The Singers entered the Hermosa Ballroom from all six entrances—dressed “to the nines”—and excited about going to a Broadway theater. The audience was surprised and delighted to be caught up in the excitement.
Once on stage, the Singers (all 55 of them!) started the show with “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” And the hits just kept on coming!
As he does for every show, our narrator, John Horak, had done his research and provided insight into the history of the 16 songs, which spanned from 1904 to 2014. So many familiar tunes and it was obvious the audience—and the Singers—were feeling the nostalgia that always accompanies wonderful music.
Some songs were sung by the entire group while others featured soloists and a skit (featuring husband and wife, David and Dennice Smith in “Getting to Know You”). There was dancing to “Hello Dolly” and “Dancing Queen.” And there were ensembles of smaller groups and even instrumentalists playing piano, keyboard, drums, trombone, and two trumpets—plus a whistle!
Soloists included:
* Rich Marks as Professor Harold Hill in “76 Trombones”
* Annette Freund as Maria in “Do-Re-Mi”
* Robyn Tanke with an ensemble singing “Sunrise, Sunset”
* Patricia Ambrose as Fantine with the Singers in “I Dreamed a Dream”
* Vera Cannella and Melanie Bray with the Singers and a small ensemble with music from “Godspell”
* Rodney Kern, Rick Lienemann, David Smith, and Scott Williams as the Jersey Boys with the tenors and basses, and
* Lisa Suskevich, solo/piano with the Singers in “You’ve Got a Friend”
A highlight of the show was when the spotlight suddenly shone in the middle of the audience and Pete Marks stood up. She donned a black hat and began her amazing rendition of “Cabaret,” arranged and accompanied by her husband, Rich. Who would have imagined Liza Millelli could be bested right here at Robson Ranch?
And just when the audience thought it couldn’t get any better, many of the Singers appeared in incredible animal masks as all the Singers performed “Circle of Life” from “Lion King.” The paper masks were made from intricate patterns and created by some of the Singers—who also have talents in other fields!
The finale was the icing on the cake as our Directors, Laurie Laramie and Beth Forbes, sang a 1904 version of George M. Cohan’s “Give My Regards” (to Broadway).
We’ve heard “best show ever” over and over and it feels very good. Bringing these shows together is a labor of love and it’s so rewarding when we can entertain our friends and neighbors in this way.
We hope you’ll mark your calendar for our Holiday Show, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 9 and 10, 2025. Until then, we’ll see you here at The Ranch!