ASB BANK Starry Nights Set to Shine in ChCh

ASB BANK Starry Nights Set to Shine on North Hagley Park Saturday February 21st, 8.30pm, North Hagley Park, FREE

This Saturday 21st from 8.30pm, the SummerTimes(tm) family favourite event ABS BANK Starry Nights will present musical hits from Broadway and the Westend, in the larger and more comfortable venue of North Hagley Park.

Over 300 performers will be onstage during an evening where beautiful costumes and wonderful voices will combine with stunning choreography and stage effects to form a show of international quality. ASB BANK has supported the event since it's inception in 2001.

" ASB Bank is very proud to sponsor Starry Nights." Say Ross Munn, Regional Manager South Island. " This is the 4th consecutive year the bank has been involved with this wonderful event and we are delighted to see its popularity grow."

Ross's personal favourite from the last few years has been performances of ABBA songs, but he's looking forward to another incredible show filled with surprises.

"We are fervently hoping for a fine evening and a great turn out, and I hope as many people as possible can come along to relax and enjoy this great evening of entertainment." One lucky person in the crowd will win a $2,000 ASB Bank Investment Fund when their free programme number is called out at half time. MORE...

Stephen Robertson is directing the Showbiz Christchurch cast, who are joined by an adult choir of over 100 voices and 60 children join in as well.

" Variety is the key to success with ASB Bank Starry Nights." He says, " The show needs to be constantly changing both visually and musically, and we invest an enormous amount of energy in getting the programme right".

This year's show includes what Stephen calls a 'Pot Pourri' of numbers, beginning with a big opening of Gershwin songs, followed by an exciting 1930's-style tap dance number called 'Rugcutter'.

Katrina Talbot sings 'Something's Coming' from West side Story. Katrina is currently appearing in the Australian cast of Mama Mia.

The musical My Fair Lady has many great hits, one of which is 'Get me to the Church on Time' which features song and dance in good ol'cockney style.

Jason Kennedy - a New Zealander working on Europe's stages - joins Dunedin's Chris Fennessy - fresh from Les Miserable in London - for the number 'You're Nothing Without Me'.

A stage full of cowboys and cowgirls will perform the dynamic 'Kansas City' from Oklahoma, followed by a breathtaking and colourful children's performance of hits from Aladdin, where snake charmers, gold princesses and larger than life jewels of every colour will cover the stage.

Part one ends with the hugely extravagant 'I Go to Rio' featuring Jason Kennedy in a riot of sequins and feathers.

Part two begins with the sultry, sexy and hugely popular 1960's hit 'Hey Big Spender' from the musical Sweet Charity.

This year's highlight may well be Leading Ladies Medley, where the voices of Angela Johnson, Juliet Midgely and Leigh Wilson combine and overlay as they perform the Andrew Lloyd Webber numbers 'Love Changes Everything', 'Unexpected Song' and 'I don't Know How to Love Him'.

A cast of 60 present hits from Evita in a 1940's stylised and serious tribute.

Chris Fennesy performs Anthem from Chess, and the cast of the next Showbiz Christchurch stage hit Grease will perform a medley.

Creating an inspirational mood Juliete Midgely is joined on stage by a choir of 50 for the Barbra Streisand number 'At The Same Time'.

16 dancers pay a tribute to choreographer Bob Fosse with 'Bye Bye Blackbird', and the grand finale of this year's ASB Bank Starry Nights features a medley from Les Miserable.

The event takes place at 8.30pm in North Hagley Park, with $3 car parking from 6pm to 11pm and secure bike parking will also available. Audience members are invited to bring picnics and low chairs, and some food vendors will be onsite.

Recycling facilities are provided and in case of bad weather, the rain date is the next day (Sunday February 22nd )

ASB BANK Starry Nights is a feature event of the SummerTimes(tm) festival, and is proudly sponsored by ASB Bank and produced by Christchurch City Council. Additional support is provided by 92 MOREFM and The Community Trust.

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