“We bet there are a lot of people who have songs they like that deserve the spotlight.”

Think of the chart toppers you loved back in the day. Now, can you remember what was on the other side of that recording, the song that caught your ear at the time but you just couldn’t recall?

The Saskatoon Summer Players (SSP) want you to have another listen as the theatre company presents Broadway B-Sides “Songs you forgot you loved” February 21-23 at The Refinery.

Marley Duckett makes her debut with the SSP as one of the Co-directors for Broadway B-Sides. (Photo Provided)

“We thought, ‘What are the songs that get lost in the shuffle of a popular musical?’,” says the shows co-director Marley Duckett. “They are the tunes that help tell the story but don’t instantly come to mind, like in Chicago, you think of All That Jazz. We’re doing They Both Reached For The Gun. We think songs like this deserve the spotlight too.”

“This was the first audition I’d ever done and I ended up in the show. I can’t wait.”

The SSP mid-season cabaret is a tradition in this town but this year, the performers, a mix of old and new, will take the stage to perform lesser-known songs from musicals like Little Women, The Producers, and Phantom of the Opera. Ember Shura is new to the company and says she’s excited to return to the world of performance.

Cast members on a break at rehearsal (l-r) Olive Watts, Adrienne Tanjusay, Ellie Hartley, Ember Shura (back) John Cody. (Marley Duckett)

“I’ve always loved doing theatre. I was in all kinds of shows in High School but when I entered University, I didn’t have that chance anymore,” says Shura. “This was the first audition I’d ever done and I ended up in the show. I can’t wait.”

“The music is really a hodgepodge of so many great tunes.”

Duckett is having her own debut with the SSP as a co-director and says everyone’s been so supportive as they get the show up on its feet.

“It’s been a blast so far,” says Duckett. “These cabaret shows are so freeing because the music is really a hodgepodge of so many great tunes. There are no limits.”

Duckett says this show is for musical theatre lovers and those just looking for a great night out.

“I hope the audience is inspired to revisit some of these old classics and reflect on music you don’t think about the first time around,” Duckett explains. “If they walk away having a great time for all the campiness and flair of Broadway, I’m good with that.”