In a captivating performance on February 9, US performing arts group, American Voices, joined Pakistani students and artists to transform the Ali Auditorium in Lahore into a Broadway theatre. The show capped four days of theatre workshops and rehearsals conducted by the visiting US artists during a weeklong visit to the city.
Formed in 1993, American Voices is a Texas-based not-for-profit organisation that promotes accessibility to and understanding of American music and culture. Since that time, the artists of American Voices have reached an audience of millions through concerts, workshops, master classes, festivals, radio and television broadcasts throughout Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
Led by Executive Director and pianist, John Ferguson, the multi-talented group includes Michael Parks Masterson, a vocalist, dancer, choreographer and director; and Carole Hanna McCann, a director, choreographer and writer. The production blended music, dance, and comedy, with Ferguson and Masterson performing Broadway classics like "Route 66" and "River in the Rain."
Members of the local theatre group Interactive Resource Center (IRC) sang and danced to the song "Tell Me Why," from the musical South Pacific, and students performed a song from the Victor Hugo classic Les Miserables.
The Government College University Dramatics Club's show-stopping comedic performance of "15 Minute Hamlet" was the highlight of the evening, drawing thunderous applause from the audience. The American Voices artists were thrilled with the appreciation they received in Lahore, calling the students "amazing actors." The US Mission to Pakistan is sponsoring the American Voices tour, which includes performances in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi.-PR