Everything’s Coming Up Roses

On Valentine’s Day 2026, I took to the keys at the Grange Theatre in Northwich and played as part of a six part band for a concert of Broadway songs as performed by Louise Colohan and her special guest vocalists: Simeon Green, Steven Sheppard and Michael Schneck - as well as the Roses Choir, made up of Christian Causer, Lydia Causer, Sam Clements, Ria Green, Michelle Hiley-Parr, Michael Schneck, Gilly Thompson, Beth Whitehead and Sophie Williams.

What more to say?

I have worked with Louise before, being one of my vocalists on Head Over Heels all those years ago, and despite having only the odd project going on where our paths crossed between then, she did approach me to play second keys in her Roses Band for this concert.

If you’re not familiar with the concept of second keys, this role is usually designated ensemble parts that can't be accommodated for by the society due to size, musician availability or budget etc. - so in this instance, I was largely standing in for string ensembles, brass ensembles and occasionally woodwind ensembles (although the band did feature a flute / reed player who talk the lead woodwind lines).

So I retrieved the old Kurzweil PC3-LE6 - an incredible workstation with phenomenal built in orchestral sounds - and began to experiment and to program.

And the results came clear that it would all sound great together as I met the rest of the band for band call on Sunday 8th February.

As well as some of the vocalists - and Louise herself - I met Chris Ellis (musical director and piano), Dan Bennett (drums / percussion), Kathryn Dunphy (flutes and reeds), Alex Scrowther (bass) and Ian Sherwood (guitars) and together we created a beautiful soundtrack for a meticulously chosen setlist:

‘Everything’s Coming Up Roses’ from Gypsy

‘With One Look’ from Sunset Boulevard

‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly’ from My Fair Lady

‘You’re The Top’ from Anything Goes

‘Unexpected Song’ from Song and Dance

‘Your Daddy’s Son’ from Ragtime

‘Just One Step’ from Songs for a New World

‘Luck Be a Lady Tonight’ from Guys and Dolls

‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’ from Evita

and

‘Barcelona’ - not from a show but a great act one finale performed by both Louise and Simeon.

And yes, that was just act one. Act two showcased:

Andrew Lloyd Webber Medley - songs from Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies

‘Wheels of a Dream’ from Ragtime

‘I Could Have Danced All Night’ from My Fair Lady

‘Man of La Mancha’ from Man of La Mancha

‘Me and the Sky’ from Come from Away

‘The Song That Goes Like This’ from Spamalot

‘A Million Dreams’ from The Greatest Showman

‘Don’t Rain On My Parade’ from Funny Girl

‘River Deep Mountain High’ from Tina

‘The Impossible Dream’ from Man of La Mancha

Following a brief tech run on Thursday 12th (dress rehearsal was Friday 13th - I couldn’t attend for this one) - the shows went ahead on Valentine’s Day with a 2:30 matinee and a 7:30 evening performance.

And - especially for you - you can see me ‘in action’ as I was, indeed, not only visible on stage (as were the whole band!) but also took the liberty of recording my extremely enthusiastic looking face for this reel:

I would like to thank Louise Colohan and Michael Schneck - and their production company C.A.S.T (Colohan and Schneck Theatrical Productions) - for asking me and for your help in making this work for me amongst what has been a very tight schedule. It was a pleasure!

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#concert #musicaltheatre #keyboardist