Alpine Theatre Project’s Broadway showstoppers returns with 'Harmony'

Whitefish Performing Arts Center was a buzz Thursday as 60 Alpine Theatre Project Broadway Summer Camp students threw on their tap shoes for a rehearsal of George Gershin’s song, “I Got Rhythm.” 

The students had been preparing for the past three weeks to perform “Harmony” in duo with professional Broadway stars. 

“We are not just singers. We are not just actors. We are storytellers,” said Meredith Patterson, Broadway star and camp instructor, as she prepped students to run the tap number. “Tell this story. Work on those inner monologues. Trouble? I don’t mind them. You won’t find them because I got star light.”

For 20 years, Alpine Theatre Project has brought artists direct from Broadway to Whitefish to perform and teach. This year, 10 Broadway stars are performing in the concert series “Harmony” which runs Aug. 1-4 at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.

The Broadway veterans will be joined by the 60 students they’ve been mentoring as part of ATP’s summer camp to present two different concerts: a “Broadway Stars” concert Aug. 1-2 focused on the star faculty, and a “Broadway Students” concert Aug. 3-4 focused on the camp students. 

“The students do the opening and closing numbers of the professional ‘Stars’ show, too,” said Cynthia Benkelman, ATP’s executive director. “It’s really special to see them all together.”

“We will have two nights of some of the finest musical theater performances you’ll ever see in this area followed by two nights of inspiring performances by students so good, you’ll swear they’re also professionals,” said ATP Artistic Director Betsi Morrison. 

Alpine Theatre presents “Harmony: The Broadway Concert Series” Aug. 1 - 4 at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, 127 Spokane Ave., in Whitefish. The Broadway Stars Concert runs Aug. 1-2 and the Broadway Students Concert runs Aug. 3-4. The series is sponsored by The Pine Lodge, Whitefish Mountain Resort and the Whitefish Credit Union. Patrons can purchase tickets by visiting atpwhitefish.org or calling 406-862-7469.

    Alpine Theatre Project summer camp students rehearsing for "Harmony." (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Maxwell Brayley, Annie Walsh, Adina Lockwood, Billy Brayley and Lavena James rehearse a tap performance for ATP's "Harmony" during summer camp. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)