The vocal duo Two Many Sopranos, singers Amy Horst and Erin Smith, bring their unique interpretations of classics and new favorites to Hilo in a show titled “Way Two Many Sopranos: Louder Than Words” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the East Hawaii Cultural Center.
The performances will include music for trio, duet and solo voices with piano and guitar.
From songs that might be new to the audience to beloved classics of stage and screen, the concert brings to life old favorites and new gems. With composers as varied as Stephen Sondheim and James Taylor, and songs from shows as varied as “The Boys from Syracuse” and “Tick, Tick, Boom,” the concert promises something for every fan of vocal music. Solos, duets and trios intermingle with featured guest performers, including guitarist Loren Antolik and Emmy-winning pianist Quack Moore, to provide variety and interest.
Horst and Smith, local stage and concert performers, previously performed their original Two Many Sopranos concert in June 2017. Since then, they have reworked the repertoire to bring an entirely new set of songs to the audience. Prior to their Two Many Sopranos concerts, they worked together in Douglas Wayman’s Palace Theater “Vaudeville Variety Shows” and in the Palace’s production of “Mary Poppins,” where Horst played the title role and Smith played the lead role of Mrs. Banks. Both singers also performed to acclaim in Hilo as soloists onstage and in concert.
Smith and Horst are joined by local performers Norman Arancon, last seen as Agustín Magaldi in the University of Hawaii at Hilo theater production of “Evita”; Kathy Frankovic, last seen as the Ghost of Christmas Past in KDEN’s production of “Gilbert and Sullivan’s Christmas Carol”; Phill Russell, local performer and promoter; and Wayman, best known to Hilo audiences as Albin/Zaza from the Palace Theater’s production of “La Cage Aux Folles” and as Janelle Nieman in his “Vaudeville Variety Shows” at the Palace Theater and recent islandwide performances.
Walter Greenwood, local music director, pianist, organist, conductor, composer and arranger, accompanies the concert. Greenwood also will be showcased during the concert with a piano solo of his own inspiration.
“Erin and I have wanted to perform together in concert for several years,” Horst said when asked about how they came to create Two Many Sopranos. “This is our second program together, so clearly it worked out well.”
“This new program takes us, our stellar fellow performers and the audience on a journey through songs we want to share with our audience,” Smith added. “We are excited to join together to sing for you.
“This concert is the culmination of a great deal of dreaming and planning, and we are happy to bring not only ourselves, but the redoubtable Walter Greenwood as pianist and our fellow performers Norman Arancon, Kathy Frankovic, Phill Russell, Douglas Wayman, Quack Moore and Loren Antolik, to our audience.”
The concert is suitable for all ages. Admission is $10. Tickets will be available at the door.
For more information, call 640-2898.