NEWTON — Barton Community College theater major and vocalist Maili Kee of Salina earned the right to sing with five Broadway stars at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bethel College’s Memorial Hall, 300 East 27th St. in Newton as part of Neil Berg’s “100 Years of Broadway” show. Kee won a runner-up spot in Hesston-Bethel College’s “Singing with the Broadway Stars” contest by submitting a video of herself singing.
Neil Berg’s “100 Years of Broadway” concert features Broadway stars of “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables,” “Jekyll and Hyde,” “Fiddler on The Roof,” “Wonderful Town,” “Tarzan,” “Cats” and “The Woman in White” singing the finest hit songs of the last 100 years of Broadway musicals.
Kee will rehearse and perform with the Broadway Stars the song “Seasons of Love” from the musical “Rent.” The song is part of the finale of the concert. She will meet and spend time with Neil Berg and the Broadway Performers.
“I’m ridiculously excited,” Kee said of the opportunity. “It’s a huge blessing.”
Barton vocal instructor Glenna Gaunt is Kee’s instructor and said this is a great opportunity for her student.
“Maili is very excited about this production,” she said. “Since she already knows the song, she is confident she will hold her own in the performance. Just being on the same stage with the professionals will be quite exciting and encouraging. Maili’s strong sound and energy will only add to the production as she is a person who comes to life when in front of an audience.”   
Tickets can be purchased at the venue’s box office. For more information, go to hesstonbethel.org.