ASB BANK Starry Nights Promises All Singing, All Dancing, All Evening!

3 February 2003

SummerTimes™ ASB BANK Starry Nights, Saturday February 8th North Hagley Park, 8pm. FREE .

Raindate Sunday February 9th.

For the third year running ABS BANK Starry Nights will perform musical hits from Broadway and the West end in an evening of international quality entertainment.

On Saturday February 8th, North Hagley Park will come alive with over 200 performers on stage during the evening. In full extravagant costume they will perform a stunning range of numbers, from 1920’s Zeigfeld Follies, through to a tribute to Abba.

ASB BANK has supported the event since it’s inception in 2001.

" We have a number of South Island regional sponsorships, including sporting and cultural events. " Says Ross Munn, Regional Manager South Island. " But we were looking for one big ‘hit’, and ASB BANK Starry Nights has enabled us to reach a huge audience in one evening of incredible entertainment, provided by the talented CSO, along with Showbiz Christchurch."

"We are thoroughly enjoying our association with the event, and assuming the weather smiles on us, we anticipate an even bigger and better evening this year, with an audience numbers exceeding the 35,000 people who attended in 2002,"

One lucky person in the crowd will win a $2,000 ASB BANK Investment Fund when their free programme number is called out at half time.

Stephen Robertson is directing the Showbiz Canterbury cast, who are joined by an adult choir.

" Variety is the key to success with ASB BANK Starry Nights." He says, " The show needs to be constantly changing both visually and musically, and we invest an enormous amount of energy in getting the programme right".

This year’s show includes what Stephen calls a ‘Pot Pourri’ of numbers, beginning with a 1920’s black-and-white tribute to the Zeigfeild Follies and a gospel duet. Children feature in the segment entitled ‘Circus’ which focuses around the hit song "Join the Circus’ from the musical Barnham.

Around 40 cast members are involved in the numbers ‘Tradition’ and ‘Matchmaker’ from the hit musical Fiddler on the Roof - the Showbiz Christchurch performance of this show won the Christchurch Star Best Musical of The Year award in 2002.

Other highlights include Juliette Midgely singing the inspirational and stirring ‘At the Same Time’ - a show stopping Barbra Streisand number from her musical performance Timeless.

Local theatre diva Linda Milligan brings her unique comedy talents and singing skills to the song ‘Broadway Baby’ from Follies.

The event takes place at 8pm in North Hagley Park, with $3 car parking from 6pm to 11pm and secure bike parking also available. Audience members are invited to bring picnics and low chairs, and some food vendors will be onsite.

Recycling facilities are provided. In case of bad weather, the rain date is the next day (Sun Feb 9)

ASB BANK Starry Nights is a feature event of the SummerTimes™ festival, celebrating it’s 20th year this year. It is proudly sponsored by ASB BANK and is produced by Christchurch City Council Leisure. Additional support is provided by LiteFM and The Community Trust.

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