Originally posted on February 23, 2015 by The Broadway Boomers
Anna Huff has always been a huge fan of musical theater, so when she found out about Broadway Boomers, she jumped in without hesitation! We had a chance to sit down with her and talk about her experience with the group.
You just might catch Anna performing “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” with director Faye Nepon and assistant director Lisa Volk in the Broadway Boomers’ upcoming show, BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE. Speaking of which, this delightful production is free to the public, although donations are gratefully accepted!
Can you tell us about your theater background?
Anna Huff: My background is all community theater. I happened to have the good fortune to grow up across the street from a woman who directed a community theater group at the Methodist Church in Ft. Collins.
Her daughter was my best friend and my older siblings were always part of the shows, so theater was just part of life. My friend and I were exposed to rehearsals from a very young age, and when I was in the 7th grade I joined the group and participated through my junior year of high school. We always had a great time. I did a little theater in college as well.
Did you perform at all after college before joining the Broadway Boomers?
AH: I was singing individually with Joan Huntsberry and then with Faye Nepon, and I was also part of the Bell’a’Cappella group (editors note: all held at the Center for Musical Arts). Faye knew about my love of musical theater, so when she and Lisa put together the Broadway Boomers, I think I was the first person Faye told. I signed up on the spot.
What are some of your favorite memories from your time with Boomers?
AH: Once we made a video for Faye when she was teaching in Italy. We were working on The Pasta Song, and we wanted to show her how well we were coming along and that we missed her.
Are you working on anything special right now in class?
AH: “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy!” I love that song. I have studied it in the past, but haven’t had the chance to actually perform it. I just love the harmonies. It’s just so much fun. I think my favorite aspect of being a Boomer is getting to perform duets and trios and ensembles that involve harmonies. There’s something I really love about collaborative singing.
What is special to you about the Broadway Boomer culture?
AH: It’s phenomenal. I’ve been part of a couple performance communities, and this one stands out to me. I really love the fierce commitment to supporting everyone in the group: there’s a complete lack of “I’m better than so-and-so” or “I’m worse than so-and-so.”
Across the board, the nature of the group is so supportive and community-based. I have to admit that I love watching new Boomers come in, because it’s really fun to see them settle into the program and really step into their artistic expression.
What would you say to someone who’s on the fence about joining Boomers?
AH: If you’ve ever wanted to perform, if you have a love in your heart for Broadway, this is the place to do it, without question. It’s not just the unwavering support you get from the other group members, it’s also the truly world-class coaching and performance development that you get from Faye.
I’ve watched her draw out of people – myself included – a level of performance that I’m pretty sure we didn’t even think we were capable of. It’s incredible.