VERGENNES — Bill Carmichael, is once again pulling together the annual Broadway Direct show, marking his 13th year doing so. The production will take place on Friday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. Doors and the cash bar will open at 6:45 p.m. for general seating.
This year, Carmichael, a Broadway professional actor who has called Vergennes home for more than 15 years, has called on two of his Broadway buddy’s, Anastasia Barzee and Joseph Dellger to join him on stage. Carmichael performed with Anastasia in the first national tour of “City of Angels” and with Joseph Dellger in the national tour and U.S. premier of “Ragtime.”
“This will be the first time Anastasia and Joe have been able to join me for Broadway Direct,” Carmichael said. “They’ve heard so much about it, now they can experience it for themselves and fall in love with Vergennes, just like all the performers over the past 12 years have done.”
The evening’s accompanist will once again be Scott Nicholas with additional music provided by Justin Rose on upright bass.
As in years past, several local high school students will be joining the pros on stage. This year, the students are Maddy Smith, Sydney Tarte and Caitlin Walsh.  All three students are seniors at Vergennes Union High School.  
The group will be performing some of their own favorites from Broadway productions such as “My Fair Lady,” “Ragtime,” “Mamma Mia,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Into the Woods,” “Miss Saigon” and more.
“Broadway Direct will once again delight audience from far and wide,” said Gerianne Smart, President of the Friends of the Vergennes Opera House. “Though they rehearse less than two days together, they have been working on this show for many, many weeks, but separately. How this show comes together every year never ceases to amaze me.” 
This entire show, students and all, will also be performing a matinee and an evening performance the next day, Saturday, Dec. 8, at Saint Michael’s Playhouse in Colchester. This gives the students the opportunity to perform with professional singers/actors on an equity stage.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors (65+), and $5 for students 18 and younger. They are available online in advance at vergennesoperahouse.org. The special pricing for students is made possible by underwriting from the Vergennes Rotary Club. Tickets are also available in advance at Lulu’s Ice Cream in Vergennes and at the door. For more information visit the Vergennes Opera House website or call (802) 877-6737.