In what may be Alaska's longest-running show, the Music Machine will return to the Discovery Theatre for four performances starting Aug. 5. The song-and-dance spectacle for young performers, age 6-18, has survived so many seasons that many of today's performers are the sons and daughters of participants from previous years.
"We have lots of students whose parents were active in the Music Machine when they were kids," said director Janet Carr-Campbell. "It's so great to see the legacy continue for 34 years."
Of necessity, the show has an ever-changing cast as new talent comes in and older performers age out. As a result, there are up and down years. This year's ensemble is on the strong side, Carr-Campbell said, in part because 50 percent of the participants are returning from previous years and began rehearsals knowing something about what to expect.
The Music Machine is also benefiting from having its own rehearsal space. Carr-Campbell ran the kids through their steps in the studios of Dance Spectrum Alaska for many years. But that studio closed after the death of its founder four years ago and put the show in a bind.
Happily, new space was found in a commercial building off Abbott Loop and Dimond Boulevard. Now the home of the Anchorage Music and Dance Center, it contains office space, store-rooms and two large rehearsal areas.
In one room on a recent morning, 6- to 12-year-olds were practicing a series of mariner melodies. "So you want to be a pirate," they sang. "We don't take baths and we don't take naps!"
Carr-Campbell called out directions. "Hands up! Spin! Row four lean on row two!"
In the adjacent space, tykes ages 5 or younger known as the Mini Music Machine were practicing their own choreography. Older students were preparing to go over their medleys of songs from "The Sound of Music" and "Sister Act."
A total of 77 kids will take part in the upcoming shows, singing repertoire that ranges from the bluesy "Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long" to a medley of George M. Cohen songs. The full troupe traditionally winds up each show with a big parade number that always thrills the family audience.
THE MUSIC MACHINE summer show will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5-7 and 2 p.m. Aug. 8 in the Discovery Theatre. Tickets are $9-$20 at centertix.net. This is very much a family show suitable for toddlers and grandparents alike.