“Broadway Musical” is a misnomer

A university alumni association in New South Wales is staging a production that their incumbent board of directors have dubbed as “Broadway Musical.” It is due to be shown at Burwood RSL on August 9. Sadly, I must admit that I was a founding member of that association who later became one of its past presidents. Being a bona fide alumnus of that university, I was also a continuing member of the board until I was eased out through political manipulations of an ambitious member who is actually a dropout from its main high school in Quezon City.

I should not really display the dirty linen of my alma mater but I must in conscience cannot take part in deceiving other alumni and the general public who are being asked to buy tickets to the concert.

One respected founding member of the alumni association wrote: “The publicity story on the Broadway Musical that appeared in Ang Kalatas [newspaper] did little to promote the production. Why, instead of featuring the stars of the show, did they use a picture of . . . . board members? Why, for heaven’s sakes, are we featuring the production team and not the entertainers who will draw audiences? This is kind of lack of imagination and sensitivity that makes the rest of our members cringe in embarrassment. What were they thinking?”

“The musical is the only major project of the . . . . in almost two years outside the spiritual retreat, a charity fund-raising appeal and the on-going scholarship fund.” — the alumnus added.

Being an alumnus of the university and as a media practitioner, I should really help promote the show or at the very least buy a ticket to watch the show. However, not one member of the incumbent board has bothered to approach me.

Tickets are usually offered to members of media but I am willing to pay the price of only $65 or even help promote the show. After all, profits generated from the concert is supposed to augment a scholarship fund for underprivileged but  deserving students in the Philippines.

But they must first be honest and declare that no actual artist or performer from Broadway is coming. It appears that all the performers are local talents. I call that deception.

As of press time, the university alumni association has changed the name of its production to “An Enchanted Evening.” Dino Crescini