A Medicine for Melancholy

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” is the latest streaming concert from Choral Artists of Sarasota. The revue of inspiring Broadway standards draws from a range of musicals, including “Carousel,” “A Chorus Line,” “Les Misérables,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Sound of Music” and “Sweet Charity.” The music is uplifting. The story behind it is, too.

This virtual concert is the brainchild of Joseph Holt, the choral group’s artistic director. He first conceived it in the early months of the pandemic, while he was planning out the 2020-21 season. Holt did some long, hard thinking. And had a bright idea …

That idea was an answer to a nagging question …

What do people need right now?

The obvious answer …

They need to feel good.

In 2020’s silent spring, Holt had witnessed a parade of gloomy people. Their masks couldn’t hide their sadness. That bothered him. But he was far from helpless — and he knew it.

Holt knew music couldn’t cure COVID. But it could cure the pandemic blues.

“I decided to create a feel-good musical experience,” Holt says. “What’s the most uplifting music of all? To me, that’s Broadway music. It just has to be.”

Broadway beats the blues! Good news. But it sounds too good to be true.

Holt doesn’t think so.

“I know I might sound like a Pollyanna, but I sought out Broadway music about characters who had overcome life’s challenges,” he says. “Hearing their stories in song is good for body and soul. I truly believe that. And I think it’s what people need to hear right now.”

Holt had originally envisioned a live concert as part of the “Music in the Gardens” series at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. The Choral Artists’ chorus would bring Broadway to life, with Holt and Michael Stewart on piano. Ann Morrison would be the solo vocalist. (Who else?) That was Plan A. But, in the time of COVID, plans are often early casualties.

Early this year, Holt and the Selby leadership reached a decision.

They agreed that a socially distanced, live concert was good — but not good enough. The music makers couldn’t guarantee everyone’s absolute safety. Holt’s uplifting show couldn’t go on. At least in its original form.

Which brings us to Plan B. And it’s actually good news.

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” wasn’t cancelled. That concert took place on Feb. 28 at Selby Gardens. Morrison and the choral group arrived — with no real-world audience to hear them. Just a three-camera crew from Integrated Media Productions.

Joseph Holt tapped his baton. And the performance began.

The chorus was socially distanced. The singers sat 6 feet apart, and sang with masks throughout the concert. Morrison stood 12 feet away from them. At that distance, she could safely sing her solos without a mask. And did.

For Morrison, it was a new sensation.

She found it a bit surreal.

“It was a weird kind of hybrid concert,” Morrison says. “It wasn’t like doing a live show. It wasn’t like making a studio recording, either. We were performing outside — at Selby Gardens. That’s not exactly a soundproof environment! Helicopters fly by; a dog starts barking; woodpeckers peck. Little things happen. It’s inevitable.”

When the inevitable happens, even a pro can get distracted.

“This new kind of concert demands intense focus,” Morrison explains. “When I sing, I’ll get deep into character — and go to a totally different place. That’s what I was doing at Selby Gardens. Then I happened to look up — and saw this crazy squirrel leaping into a tree. Bang! I was instantly out of character. We had to do another take.”

Morrison makes it clear that she isn’t complaining. She couldn’t see the audience when she sang. But she knows they’re out there and believes this virtual, on-demand concert can make a difference in their lives. Morrison doesn’t mind a few technical difficulties along the way.

“We’re doing something new,” she says. “That’s never easy, and it shouldn’t be. When you complain about doing new things — that’s the first sign of old fart syndrome. I’m not worried about what I do. I’m thinking about why I’m doing it. This fantastic, wonderful, beautiful music is a shot in the arm for people in hard times. If I have to deal with a demented squirrel or a cameraman getting in my face, that’s a small price to pay.”

Holt happily agrees.

“Annie’s right as always,” he says. “Music is always the bottom line. And Broadway has given us such incredible music! In a staged musical, the songs are always anchored to the story. But they can also stand on their own. These wonderful songs work without choreography, without drama, without costumes and sets, or actors interacting on stage. Our streaming concert is a distillation of the Broadway experience. We don’t pretend it’s a duplication — it’s just the music itself. It’s not slick, it’s not polished, but it’s real. And I think the power of the music shines through.”

Is that power really a medicine for melancholy? A cure for the pandemic blues?

Holt laughs.

“Well, if you take me as your test subject, the answer is ‘yes.’ This glorious music put a smile on my face. I might add that it also worked for Annie and the chorus. On that basis, I’m confident it’ll work for everybody.”

Holt’s brave optimism earns respect. It’s a robust adaptation to strange days! When we finally return to normal, it’ll be a happy story to tell our kids and grandkids. Maybe …

But Morrison doesn’t see it that way.

“I’m sorry to burst your bubble,” she says. “But I honestly don’t think we’re ever totally going back to the old ‘normal.’ This brave new world isn’t always fun. It can be a pain — or worse. But it’s not all bad.”

Morrison laughs, and expands on her thesis.

“If you’re a performer, this new reality forces you to up your game. I realized that during our last SaraSolo festival. It really came home to me! Actors and singers can’t afford to be narrow specialists anymore. We all need to know the ins-and-outs of video and audio software and hardware. We’ve got to understand which microphone gives you the right sound, what camera makes you look good, and what editing software puts it all together without driving you crazy. Love it or hate it, that’s the new normal. I don’t think we’re ever going back.”