Broadway and Beyond brings free show tunes performances to McKennan Park Bandshell this weekend

Broadway has come to Sioux Falls. 

Free Broadway, that is.

Throughout the weekend, Ephemeral Productions is putting on their third annual Broadway and Beyond event at the McKennan Park Bandshell in partnership with the city’s Parks and Recreation office. 

“This is our first night, and they did great,” said Kim Bartling, the director of the show and owner of Ephemeral Productions.

There’s something in the shows for everybody, whether it's risqué adult jokes from "Les Misérables," or a children's rendition of "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" from "The Lion King."

Throughout the hour and a half production, the audience travels the world from New York City, to Shrek’s swamp, England and Greece. 

The show came together within a week, with Bartling and her choreographer Rebekah Merriman sending choreography videos and music out to all the performers. Rehearsals were held in Bartling's backyard during the first half of the week.

Thursday’s production was the first time the whole group was on stage.

Bartling lets everyone have a chance to pick what songs they want to perform.

The most common?

“Anything Hamilton, it doesn’t matter if they’re six, they want Hamilton,” she said, noting the cast of 34 ranges in age from 4 to 60.

Clinton Store, 45, performed in a variety of songs including the important role of Aaron Burr during the "Hamilton" favorite "The Schuyler Sisters." He said he’s been able to do what he loves because of Sioux Falls.

“I love this city," he said. "I love that it’s given me the chance to do the things I love to do, and hopefully, I’ll get to do a lot more of it."

Broadway and Beyond continues throughout the weekend with free shows at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Interested audience members can bring lawn chairs to the McKennan Park Bandshell on East 26th Street to watch the shows.