Review: FRÅN BROADWAY TILL DUVEMÅLA at Skandiascenen Cirkus

When Viktoria Tocca moved back to Sweden some years ago she decided that she wanted to set up a musical concert. She rented the concert hall, Berwaldhallen, home for the Swedish Radio symphony orchestra and asked some friends and colleagues to join. It was the start of the tour around Sweden, which is now in the sixth season. Every season, she asked a few musical artists to join in, and even if Sweden is a small country there is quite a few good musical artists to choose between. This season, Viktoria has a new "baby", the Bridges of Madison County " which she both produce and plays the female lead role Franseca in. When it comes to the concert tour "From Broadway to Duvemåla", she only do some guest appearance, as tonight in Stockholm, Her baby has grown big and manages herself.

From Broadway to Duvemåla today is a well know concept and the concerts sell out almost everywhere. The strength of the concept is that there is not a concert around one star but there are five incredibly talented musical artists, Laila Adèle, Niklas Asknergård, Emmi Christensson, Emil Sigfridsson and Malena Tuvung, This is a very strong team. Laila Adèle was nominated to the Hollywood Music in Media Award for the best Soul/RnB in 2016. Niklas Asknergård has played several roles on West End in London, Chris in Miss Saigon, Marius in Les Miserable and Raoul in Phantom of the Opera. Emmi Christensson has played Christine in Phantom of the opera on West End as well as in Stockholm towards Peter Jöback. Malena Tuvung and Emil Sigfridsson has no international records but several in Sweden.

All artists are very strong in their solo numbers, but they also join in with a full heart in the choir, backing up each other. But I think they are strongest together in the powerful numbers where everyone is included, for example, One day more from Les Miserable or in the opening number Circle of Life from The Lion King. It's so magical when Laila Adele takes the first tones with her powerful soul voice. Laila also show off her brilliant voice in Fame and This is me among others.

I wasn't that familiar with Emil Sigfridsson before this concert, but he had me at the first tone of Anthem from Chess. A strong intense voice. This is the strength of the concerts. Even if you haven't heard them before or known about them, you can be sure that they are good musical artist with the best voices. Viktoria Tocca would not risk the quality of the show. All five artist have great voices, energy and their love for musical theatres is visible.

There are so many wonderful songs from musicals to choose from. Just like previous years, it's a good mix of songs that is a "must", new songs and songs that characterize that artist. For example, it would be criminal to not have "Feeling Good" when Niklas is on stage. In my opinion he outnumbers Michael Bublé at any time! Niklas played Robert in Kristina from Duvemåla (musical by Björn Ulveaus and Benny Andersson) and one the most famous song from it is "Gold turns to sand" so of course that was one of the songs he sang. Malena, sang "Memory" from Cats as she played Grizzabella. Malena really has a wonderful strong voice. Niklas and Laila did a wonderful interpretation of "The Last Night of the World". As Emmi and Niklas both played in Phantom of the Opera they of course sang a few from it,. Emmi has such a bright light voice and she looks just like a Disney Princess. She made the Swedish voice to Belle in Beauty and the Beast. In the film she did not sing "Beauty and the Beast", but tonight she sang the wonderful duet with Emil. So beautiful!

The guest of the evening was, as said, Viktoria Tocca herself and she performed a song in every act, Dark Waltz and Somewhere over the rainbow.

In addition to the amazing voices, I would also like to praise the wonderful dresses that the women were wearing. Viktoria's amazing dresses, sequine dresses and Emmi's stylish simple dresses to mention a few. Elegant dresses and tuxedos enhance the numbers, just like the beautiful setting of lights. The musicians were great as well, Fredrik Bergström on drums, Conrad Boqvist guitar and Magnus Willavi bass under the direction of extremely talented Carina E Nilsson.

The show is a complete musical concert with musical artist of world class and a great mixture of songs from the classical musicals to new ones, everything with highest quality.

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