By Karl Lisovsky and Janet Goodwin
On Sunday, June 1, 2025, we were treated to lovely, familiar, and joyful songs from cinema as our choir launched this year’s Dining for Dollars fundraiser. Individuals and pairs and small groups of choir members, as well as the entire choir itself, staged songs from well-known musicals like Wizard of Oz and Sound of Music to the delight of the audience.
Music Director Saunder Choi, our emcee for the evening, lent his rich tenor to a moving mashup of “Over the Rainbow” from Wizard of Oz and “Defying Gravity” from Wicked.
Like a good host, he then invited folks to grab some refreshment at the drinks and popcorn table. Thanks to Carl Hoppe for the freshly popped popcorn!
Next, soprano Jeanne Black entertained us with the witty romantic monologue of a woman on a mission in “I’m a Stranger Here Myself” from One Touch of Venus.
Carl and Diane Fletcher-Hoppe followed with their rendition of “I Remember It Well” from Gigi, a romantic review of an aging couple’s courtship, which is both funny and poignant because their two recollections are so different. The performers’ singing — and obvious affection — were so lovely that many eyes misted up watching them.
A cadre of “nuns” (four sopranos, three altos and one lone tenor) then graced us with “How do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?” from The Sound of Music. The singers strolled along the chancel while debating whether Maria was, in fact, an “asset to the abbey.” Let’s just say that merriment ensued.
The evening also offered the audience the opportunity to sing along with the choir on another song from The Sound of Music, the well-known “My Favorite Things.”
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, doorbells and sleigh-bells and warm woolen mittens…
From the irreverent Life of Brian, Ryan Humphrey entertained us with the Monty Python classic “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.”
Olivia Salazar sang ”La Bamba,” the classic title tune from the memorable biodrama that tells the inspiring — and ultimately tragic — story of Ritchie Valens, the teenage rock ‘n’ roll sensation who brought Latin sound to mainstream America. Her vivacious performance had us swaying to the beat, snapping our fingers and singing the familiar chorus along with her.
The full choir entertained us with two pieces: “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic, which included a beautiful introduction on recorder by Kion Heidari, and “Will You Be There?” from Free Willy, which really got toes tapping.
Shannon Hayes, who recently joined the altos, channeled Madonna as she sang “Sooner or Later” from Dick Tracy, based on the nearly century-old comic strip detective who sooner or later always “gets his man.”
After that, Kion performed “Never Had a Friend Like Me” from Aladdin. He invited tenor Wyl Tucker onstage with him to play the “friend.”
Leonard Cachola and Karen Hsu Patterson performed a sweet and harmonious “Falling Slowly” from Once, the intimate and fleeting story of two musicians.
Rivaling Ryan Gosling, Kenny Stevenson strutted his way up and down the aisles, rocking the house with “I’m Just Ken” from last year’s Barbie movie. From head to toe, Kenny totally inhabited the part!
Last but not least, the crowd enjoyed the much-anticipated, world-famous, only-at-UUSM, Kion-led Kazoo Ensemble, which flawlessly executed a highly melodic version of the theme from How to Train Your Dragon, cleverly renamed“How to Train Your Kazoo to Ride Your Dragon”.
The evening ended in Forbes Hall, with a generous banquet offering of appetizers, cold cuts, salads, more drinks, and still more conversation. The “drunken cauliflower” — a vegan offering from Carl and Diane — was an especially big hit! Thanks to our choir for providing the food and drinks, and of course for the music itself. Special nods to Ryan, who did what we have come to expect routinely, but which bears recognizing: playing music he may have only recently become acquainted with, with flair and pizzazz, for each performer. And to the choir committee. And especially to Saunder, who conceived and actualized the event. We thank all of you who came out to see us and especially those who bid on and sponsored the performances by our music professionals.
See you same time next year!
