The Best of Broadway With the Pensacola Civic Band
Date Posted: Sep 12, 2023
The Pensacola Civic Band is bringing the Great White Way to Pensacola for Foo Foo Fest’s 10-year anniversary
The Pensacola Civic Band has performed only the highest caliber musical shows in Pensacola since it first started more than 50 years ago, and for Foo Foo Fest’s 10th anniversary, it’s going even bigger to create one magical night: On Broadway.
To be hosted in the Pensacola Senger Theatre, On Broadway will feature the 90-plus member Pensacola Civic Band and renowned special guest artist Megan Hilty. “We are absolutely thrilled about bringing Megan to Pensacola and having her perform for the crowd with our band,” says Lewis Garvin, publicity and communications chair for the Pensacola Civic Band, who also plays French horn in the band as well. “She is an incredible performer, and we’re excited to be highlighting her and her career during Foo Foo Fest.”
Megan has been a mainstay on Broadway, performing as Galinda in Wicked, Doralee Rhodes in 9 to 5: The Musical, and Brooke Ashton in Noises Off, which earned her a Tony Award nomination. She’s also performed with the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center.
For On Broadway, Megan will perform a few musical numbers ranging from timeless classics to contemporary hits, but the show doesn’t end there. In addition to performances by Megan, On Broadway will include a mix of musical numbers performed by the band. “The Pensacola Civic Band started out with around 20 members, and over the years it has grown tremendously,” Lewis explains. “This year, we have just over 90 members, all of whom are volunteers and coming from different walks of life. We’re a group of people with a love for music, sharing music, and inspiring people.”
With the event scheduled for Veterans Day, on November 11, the Pensacola Band is also planning to include a few patriotic songs to the playlist as well. They are doing so while also keeping Broadway as the focus, Lewis adds, thanks to the Broadway musical George M!, which is based on the life of George M. Cohan, a renowned Broadway star who was known as “The Man Who Owned Broadway.” “George M. Cohen writes so many patriotic songs we all know and still love today, from You’re a Grand Old Flag to Yankee Doodle Dandy,” Lewis says. “We’re hoping to add in some of those into the night’s performance as well.”
In addition to the musical performance on November 11, the Pensacola Band is also planning a question-and-answer session with Megan the day before. The schedule and logistics are still being determined, but the organization is excited to give local artists, particularly the younger generation, an opportunity to hear directly from a Broadway star. “What Foo Foo Fest does for the arts community in Pensacola is fantastic,” Lewis says. “We couldn’t do what we do to the caliber that we do without the support of Foo Foo Fest. It’s because of our partnership with Foo Foo that we can bring in artists like Megan. We couldn’t do it without them.”