Best of Broadway, in Laval

They number more than 20, among them Fame, Cats, Lion King, and Chicago, musicals that are the backdrop for 26 performers of the cast of Best of Broadway, a touring revue which makes a stop at Laval's Maison des arts January 22, 8:00 pm, after putting on shows in casinos from Atlantic City to Montreal.

Chorus Line, Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, Starmania, Evita, and Victor Victoria are also part of this musical extravaganza that brings the Great White Way to our doorstep. 16 dancers and singers, accompanied by four musicians create 23 scenes from 23 worlds made famous by the best that Manhattan has to offer.

"The challenge for performers is in the scene changes which must come in the wink of an eye. One moment I'm a tramp (Les Miserables), next I'm in a frenetic beauty parlour (Hairspray). We have little time to bring credibility to characters vastly different one from the other," says Yoland Sirard who performs alongside Nancy Fortin, Marie-Josee Noury, Brigitte Desy, Yanick Lanthier, and Martin Lacasse.

Wearing pants one over the other and constantly watching out for wrong costume changes – the frenzied race between numbers is a show in itself for Sirard. "There are no tempestuous egos here, no star pecking order. Everyone helps everyone else because in no way would our dressers ever manage to do it all under such rapid-fire timing demanded by Best of Broadway. The public senses and appreciates this teamwork."

Now three years old the show, which comes back to Quebec after a long tour of the U.S., is directed by Patrick Coiteux, with choreography handled by Jaladriel and Nick Peel. At Salle André-Mathieu (475 de l'Avenir), Thursday, January 22, 8:00 pm. Info: (450) 667-2040.