My Top 5 Showtunes: Gina Beck
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
Most recently seen in Sheffield Theatres' production of Show Boat, which transferred into the West End, Gina's other stage credits include Glinda in Wicked, Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera and Cosette in Les Miserables.
You can catch her up close and personal in her Singular Sensations concert, including a Q&A, at the Charing Cross Theatre on Sunday 16 October. Tickets available here.
We caught up with Gina and asked her: "If you were stranded on a desert island which five showtunes could you not live without?"
1. "Make our Garden Grow" from Candide
The story of Candide is fairly bonkers to be honest but Bernstein's music is absolutely beautiful. This song comes right at the end and finishes with a big rousing ensemble chorus with lots of rich harmonies. I like the version with Daniel Evans at the National Theatre 🙂
2. "Beggin'" from Jersey Boys
I worked front of house on Jersey Boys in the West End when it first opened and this song is so perfect for where it comes in the show, I always loved watching that bit. Ryan Molloy was extraordinary as Frankie Valli.
3. "I Loves you Porgy" from Porgy and Bess
The whole score of Porgy and Bess is amazing, just hit after hit for the Gershwins. Such an emotional song where Bess pleads with Porgy to protect her, I've been lucky enough to sing it in concert. Search Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis on You Tube.
4. "Somebody to Love" from We Will Rock You
My guilty pleasure was always We Will Rock You when it was in town. I absolutely adore Queen. I used to go every year on the cast change when my friend Sabrina Aloueche was playing Scaramouche. This is her first song and always used to blow me away with excitement/pride.
5. "Ol Man River" from Show Boat
I never really considered this song too carefully before our production of Show Boat, but seeing it in context, the message of the song and its themes of oppression and struggle, and that life keeps flowing like the river, led for an extremely powerful theatrical moment. I was not able to watch in rehearsals without shedding a tear.
