Featuring popular songs from Broadway shows, ranging from “Oklahoma!” to “Les Miserables” to the current “Wicked,” audiences are sure to hear tunes they recognize as well as a few new ones when the group presents “Broadway!”

Show times are 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Kate Toben Auditorium at Manson Northwest Webster Jr./Sr. High School.

Director Andrea Christians, of Pocahontas, said she selected the show theme shortly after wrapping up last year’s production.

“There’s just a lot of variety within the Broadway genre,” she said. “I knew the group would have some of those pieces from the past, and there’s always new Broadway stuff to introduce.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Shelly Block and Dave George, both of Manson, perform the duet “You and Me” from the Broadway musical, “The Book of Mormon.”

Christians, who also serves as principal of Pocahontas Area Middle School and High School, formerly directed that school’s choir for more than 20 years. She said directing Meridians provides an outlet that she enjoys.

“(Meridians) are just really hungry for good music, and really want to be pushed to that next level,” she said.

This year’s selection of music will put the audience through a variety of emotions.

“There are some funny numbers,” Christians said, “as well as some more focused and introspective kinds of songs.”

Christians said she enjoys finding different arrangements of songs that people know, which can make a familiar piece exciting and new. One example is this year’s version of “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” which has a more jazzy feel than the traditional Broadway number.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Jennifer Pullen, of Manson, and Tony Keller, of Rolfe, rehearse the duet, "A Whole New World," from "Aladdin."

Among her favorites this year is “Come What May” from “Moulin Rouge,” which Christians said “features sweeping harmonies that are just really pleasing to the ear.” She said the song was “kind of a gamble” because of the challenge it presented to the singers.

“It’s one of my favorites,” she said, “and I think the group enjoys singing it as well.”

Tony Keller, who sings tenor and is back for his sixth year, said he keeps returning because of his love of music and performing.

But the other singers are what makes all the time spent rehearsing worthwhile.

“It’s a good group of people,” he said. “If it wasn’t a good group of people, it wouldn’t be any fun.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Andrea Christians, of Pocahontas, directs the Manson Meridian Singers during a recent rehearsal.

He said anyone thinking about coming to the show should just “do it.”

“It’s an amazing show,” said Keller. “We’ve got a lot of good talent, and we’ve got a good variety of music.”

Kelbi Smith, a first-year choir director at Manson Northwest Webster Jr./Sr. High School, is one of three new members who joined the group this year.

“I love it; it’s so fun,” said Smith, who sings soprano and also happens to be engaged to first-year bass singer, Emmett White. “It’s a fun way to meet a bunch of new people that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”

Her favorite song from this year’s show is “For Good” from the musical, “Wicked,” in part because of that show’s recent release to the public.

“I’m in a very ‘Wicked’ mood,” joked Smith.

In addition to the large group numbers, the show will feature several solos, duets and small groups. Keller will be entertaining the crowd with his solo number, “Le Poissons” from “The Little Mermaid,” while Smith will be performing “Gimme Gimme” from “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”

Meridian board president, Joe Mernka, is in his third year with Meridians. For him, being in the group has become a family affair, as his wife, Trish Mernka, is the group’s accompanist, serving in that role for the past five years. His son, Wyatt, a junior at South Central Calhoun High School, also has a small instrumental role in this year’s show.

“I love the fellowship, the people,” said Mernka. “I love the challenge of the music this year.”

He encouraged people to come out and be entertained.

“We’ve worked really hard,” he said, “and we hope to put on a fantastic show.”

‘Broadway!’

What: Manson Meridian Singers annual show

When: 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: Kate Toben Auditorium, Manson Northwest Webster Jr./Sr. High School, 1601 15th St.

Tickets: $12 for adults; $8 for students. General admission tickets are available. To order, call (712) 469-3116, see any Meridian member or purchase at the door.