Another Op'nin', Another Show: SATB Choral Octavo

This opening number captures the infectious energy of a Broadway production while offering choirs an accessible entry into musical theater repertoire. Arranger Philip Kern's setting preserves Porter's memorable melody and rhythm while crafting parts that work for mixed voices at this level. The inclusion of staging notes and recorded accompaniment makes bringing this to the stage genuinely feasible, even for directors without extensive musical theater experience.

Opening night excitement pulses through every measure. The piece radiates backstage energy and the peculiar joy only performers understand, mixing anticipation, gratitude, and the thrill of being part of something theatrical. You hear the shimmer of footlights and the rush of curtain going up.

This octavo works for choirs at the high school level and above who want to perform recognizable musical theater without sacrificing musical quality. Directors seeking a show-stopper opener that audiences genuinely love will find the familiarity and energy here indispensable. It's also ideal for singers who respond well to character and storytelling as a pathway into better vocal technique.

• Lock the rhythmic precision early in rehearsal. The 2-beat feel drives the piece, and tight ensemble rhythm in the opening unison passage sets the tone for everything that follows.
• Balance the character work with vocal technique. The text demands personality and showmanship, but support that with solid breath management and line continuity so the humor lands without sacrificing musicality.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to internalize the style and tempo before singers finalize their own phrasing choices. Broadway songs reward a conversational, slightly flexible approach that only works when everyone shares the same rhythmic foundation.
• Highlight the counterpoint in the chorus sections. When voices move independently, clarity becomes your ally; slight separation between parts makes the arrangement's architecture audible without muddying the overall sound.

Program this as your concert opener when you want to immediately signal that the audience is in for an entertaining evening. It pairs beautifully with other Cole Porter standards or with a broader musical theater theme. The built-in staging potential also makes it a strong centerpiece for a cabaret-style concert or an end-of-year celebration.

• Stylistic interpretation of Broadway phrasing and diction
• Maintaining a steady 2-beat feel while singing with conversational flexibility
• Balancing character and personality with vocal production
• SATB blend and independence in homophonic and contrapuntal textures
• Coordinating singing with stage movement and blocking