By Hayden Wiggs
The 26th annual Buford High School Variety Show took place at the Buford Fine Arts Center May 3rd through the 5th. Directed by Dr. Chris Fowler, this year’s show took place in New York City, detailing the lives of several up-and-coming Broadway stars. Filled with high-energy group numbers to show-stopping solos from students—including Jesse Hanks, Jonathan Ingram, Karrie Bryson, Quinn Conrath, and Hope Fowler—this year’s show was one to remember.
Sophomore Jesse Hanks opened the show with a strong number from SMASH entitled “Broadway Here I Come”, while Hope Fowler belted out “Defying Gravity” from Wicked at the closing. Jonathan Ingram performed in two incredible numbers, the first a duet with brother, Jake, “Every Rose Has Its Thorns”, and his solo “Goodbye” from Catch Me If You Can, and Karrie Bryson’s incredible rendition of “Don’t Rain On My Parade” from Funny Girl was easily one of the night’s showstoppers. The show also included the Boys’ Quartet (Trevor Dodge, Quinn Conrath, Jonathan Ingram, and Jesse Hanks, and alternates Chris Meier and Nick Warren) and the Girls’ Trio (Keighly Brown, Hope Fowler, Hannah Hopper, and alternate Karrie Bryson).
The Variety Show is the choral program’s most anticipated show of the season and audiences always show up in droves and fill the house. This performance also marked a final bow for the program’s seniors including soloists Stella Algerian, Juliet Chihaya, and Reanah Wilson.