Ben Cameron’s Broadway Sessions at the Beach made a long awaited return to the Ice Palace on August 6, with fantastic Broadway guests Olivia Lucy Phillip (“Frozen”) and Anthony Lee Medina (“Hamilton”). Michael James Roy was at the Privia and DJ Chuck McTague was responsible for sound and lights.
Ben kicked off the evening with “Magic to Do,” from “Pippin,” with Michael backing him up vocally, and Michael’s solo was “Ring them Bells,” with the rest of us ringing along.
Anthony moved us with bilingual ballad “Breathe,” from “In the Heights,” and “Touch Me,” from “Spring Awakening,” and judged a rap contest, with Olivia providing the beatboxing. There were also a singing contest and identify the Disney musical that the song comes from contest.
Olivia offered her dramatic insight into Sia’s “Chandelier,” with great head tones and inviting sing-along with the chorus, and dazzled with “Satisfied,” from “Hamilton,” with Anthony’s input. Her “Shadowland,” from “The Lion King,” was a hard act to follow.
The open mic section, which came next, consisted of this writer’s “Someone to Watch Over Me,” from “Oh, Kay!;” John Michael’s “As Long as He Needs Me,” from “Oliver!;” and Rob Maitner’s “Fifty Percent,” from “Ballroom.”
Anthony finished with “Being Alive,” from “Company,” and Olivia, by giving us “Smile,” with husband Thomas at the keyboard, and “I’m Here,” from “The Color Purple.” All of us in attendance then took the stage to join voices in “Seasons of Love,” from “Rent.”
Look for Broadway Sessions at the Beach at the Ice Palace on Mondays at 9 p.m.