Broadway review on tap at A Center for the Arts

Razzle Dazzle Review

By Lauren Radomski (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Friday, March 28, 2008

When A Center for the Arts held its first Broadway revue about 25 years ago, organizers flew in a director from New York to lead the local cast.

But when the Center decided to resurrect the production last year, director Rebecca Petersen had another idea: “Why don’t we find somebody locally who’s not from New York but who’s headed there in the future?”

The Center found that person in Scott Brusven, a 2001 Fergus Falls High School graduate who’s back again this year to direct the “Razzle Dazzle Revue” April 4 and 5. The production includes over 40 cast members performing 24 songs from 16 different musicals. Selections are tied together with narration, giving the audience glimpses into some of Broadway’s most popular shows.

Brusven has a long history with the Center, most recently as director of last summer’s “Beauty and the Beast.” He serves as education director and tour manager for the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre.

For Brusven, the best part of any production is not the performance, but the learning that occurs during rehearsals.

“To me, the end result doesn’t have any importance because it’s all about the learning,” he said. “You can have a wonderful performance, but if you didn’t learn anything, you haven’t accomplished anything.”

Those learning experiences extend to staff like Shannon Denzel, a senior at Fergus Falls High School who teaches at the Fergus Falls School of Dance. Denzel is in charge of the Revue’s choreography.

“It’s been fun for me because I’m used to teaching fifth- and sixth-grade dancers and here I have ages 5 to 50,” she said.

Brusven said the hands-on experience he had in high school and college gave him a leg-up as he began looking for work in the theater business.

“Part of my mission (with staff in Fargo and Fergus) is giving that opportunity to others,” he said.

Since casting in early January, the ensemble has rehearsed three to four days a week in preparation for next weekend’s performances.

“There are a lot of families involved,” Petersen said. “It’s a real community effort.”

Tickets for the Razzle Dazzle Revue cost $10 for adults and $5 for children, and are available by calling A Center for the Arts at 998-ARTS.

Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $12 and $7, respectively. The April 4 and 5 performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Center.