Center Stage Performing Arts Academy from Gonzales, Louisiana performed the musical number “Welcome to the Renaissance” from the Broadway musical “Something Rotten!” at the Hamilton’s America screening in Columbia Theatre.
Austin Cradic/The Lion's Roar
A preview for PBS’s premiere of the documentary “Hamilton’s America” was shown at the Columbia Theatre. The documentary follows writer and star of the Broadway musical “Hamilton,” Lin-Manuel Miranda, in the first two years leading up to the premiere of the musical.
The admission was free to all those who attended and the event occurred on Thursday, Oct. 6.
The ceremony included a 15-minute preview of the PBS Arts Fall Festival, a live production of “Hamilton” and other musical numbers by Center Stage Performing Arts Academy in Gonzales, Louisiana and a preview of the first 30 minutes of “Hamilton’s America.”
Louisiana Public Broadcasting hosted the event and they included tables in the lobby with information on the state’s television station, the upcoming PBS Arts Fall Festival, food and drinks and an interactive costume booth.
The interactive costume booth allowed all patrons to play dress up with colonial era hats and props, and take a picture to be posted on LPB’s social networking sites such as Facebook. The booth was run by Katherine Scherer, Public Information Officer for LPB.
“We were just inspired by the fun of the evening and have picture frames, vintage looking hats, handkerchiefs, thought bubbles and all kinds of fun things for people to use as props and photographs that they can take,” said Scherer. “You’re here just to have a little fun to accompany the film screening.”
As time was drawing close for the start of the premiere, patrons were lined up and ready to go in.
“Hamilton has changed the world of theater as we know it,” said Taylor Sinclair, a senior art major with a concentration in visual art, when asked why he came out to see the premiere.
At the start of the premiere, Center Stage performed two dance and musical numbers, “They Just Keep Moving the Line” and “Man Like That.” PBS then showed a 15-minute preview of four films being shown late this year. The films previewed were “Live! From the Royal Shakespeare Company,” “Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs,” “Alvin Alley American Dance,” and “Gypsy.”
Before the 30-minute preview of “Hamilton’s America,” Center Stage performed a short excerpt from “Hamilton.”
The night ended with Center Stage performing “Welcome to the Renaissance.”
At the end of the performance, Roy Blackwood, Executive Director for the Columbia Theatre, explained how the event was organized.
“Kathy Scherer, who is with LPB, used to work for me on the board of directors for the Louisiana partnership for the arts,” said Blackwood. “She was, at that time, at the Arts Council in Baton Rouge. Then she left and went to LPB and when this thing came up for them, she called me because she knew I was the director here. I said ‘Yes, I think we can work that out.’ She wanted to know what I was going to charge them, and I said, ‘Because I’m going to do this as a community service, I’m not going to charge you.’”
Viewers can watch Hamilton’s America on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. Central Time on their local PBS station.
Macy Marionneaux from Center Stage Performing Arts Academy in Gonzales, Louisiana performed the musical number “They Just Keep Moving the Line” from the hit TV Series “Smash” at the Hamilton’s America screening in the Columbia Theatre.
Austin Cradic/The Lion's Roar
Macy Marionneaux from Center Stage Performing Arts Academy in Gonzales, Louisiana performed the musical number “They Just Keep Moving the Line” from the hit TV Series “Smash” at the Hamilton’s America screening in the Columbia Theatre.
Austin Cradic/The Lion's Roar
Center Stage Performing Arts Academy from Gonzales, Louisiana performed the musical number “Hamilton” from the Broadway musical “Hamilton” at the Hamilton’s America screening in Columbia Theatre.
The Lion's Roar/Austin Cradic
Center Stage Performing Arts Academy from Gonzales, Louisiana performed the musical number “Welcome to the Renaissance” from the Broadway musical “Something Rotten!” at the Hamilton’s America screening in Columbia Theatre.
Austin Cradic/The Lion's Roar
Center Stage Performing Arts Academy from Gonzales, Louisiana performed the musical number “Welcome to the Renaissance” from the Broadway musical “Something Rotten!” at the Hamilton’s America screening in Columbia Theatre.
Austin Cradic/The Lion's Roar