This is certainly the year of the musicals, with more than one theatrical company staging their version of the most best-known musicals.

So what is different about DreamCrew?

First of all, this is probably the first time that people who come from different backgrounds (from opera to dance to singing to musical theatre and drama) have combined their talents in order to train a cast who are “all-rounders”.

The director is Philip Zammit, a member of a band who has also studied the cello and violin. The choreographer is Rosanne Cuschieri who comes from a background of ballet and ballroom dancing, while the stage manager is Alice Horne, who is very experienced in staging performances.

The producer is classically-trained singer Olivia-Ann Cauchi who forms part of the Malta Opera Company. Her job included teaching dancers and actors how to sing.

Although some might think this might be the most difficult aspect of becoming an all-rounder, it was pointed out that is more difficult to teach singers how to dance.

“Singers have to learn not to move to the beat of the song they are singing but to another choreography.”

However, as Olivia added, singers who are used to performing pop songs also need to be ‘re-trained’ on how to use their vocal chords for musical theatre, which is a different genre entirely. “Breathing techniques and voice control are especially important and this is were we have worked most on,” she said.

David Ellul Mercer (whom people might remember from Voices concerts and more recently as a member of Aka Phellas) said that this opportunity to perform in a musical is something he has long dreamt about. As a singer it is learning how to act which has proved the greatest challenge, but he has managed to master this as well.

There are other differences about this production, namely that these are not just one off songs from different musicals but 15-minute excerpts from specific musicals complete with costumes and dialogue. The ‘mini’ musicals which will be performed include The Phantom of The Opera, Les Miserables, My Fair Lady, Chess, Jesus Christ Superstar and others.

This means that rather than singing a song in isolation, the whole cast has had to enter into the spirit of the musical they are performing, albeit for a short while.

The director’s experience in this field has taught him that it is vital to begin rehearsals as early as possible in order to avoid last minute panic and stress when the pressure starts building. For this reason, the dancers started training way back in August of last year.

Other cast members also remarked that they have seen a difference in the approach taken in this production, primarily because the atmosphere at rehearsals is one of immense concentration and a desire to get the work done. They added that there is another bonus: there are no divas, everyone is treated with the same respect and this has fostered an important element of teamwork among the cast.

The musical direction is in the hands of Mro Domenic Darmanin who will be conducting a 12-piece orchestra. Costumes are by May Vassallo, while lighting is by Nexos.

The performances will be at the Catholic Institute on 23, 24, 25 April at 7pm.

Tickets are Lm3.50, the proceeds from which will go in aid of Dar il-Kaptan, Respite Care Services.