Encore Celebrates Swifties At Tribute Concert

The Encore Musical Theatre Company has proven they can stage great Broadway musicals. Thursday evening, opening night for the Taylor Swift Tribute Concert, they proved they know how to throw a good party. Broadway star Chelsea Packard, with Kaylin Rayne Gines, a student at the UM School of Theatre, Music and Dance and Encore stage veteran Ash Moran entertained a theatre full of young and old “Swifties” with ninety minutes of pure fun.

(L-R) Ash Moran, Chelsea Packard & Kaylin Raynes Gines. Photo by Encore Musical Theatre Company.

The audience included people who couldn’t name a single Swift song (me) and people who could sing every word, of every verse, of every song. And both were thoroughly entertained. The singers were backed up by a five-piece band. Music Director/keyboard player was Jon Ophoff, making his Encore Tribute concert debut. Aidyn Connor on bass, Zsolt “Z” Dvornik on guitar and Daniel King-McDonald on drums. The singers and songs were matched perfectly.

All three opened with “Love Story,” followed by Gines singing “22”, acknowledging to the audience that she was 22. Ash Moran took “Fearless” and made it her own. And if you closed your eyes, it was like being at a Swift concert when Packard sang “Enchanted,” a song about young love at a first meeting.

The group sang hit after hit, with each putting their own personal touch on their songs. “The Lucky One,” followed by all three singing “Black Spruce.” Packard, standing alone in the spotlight, sang a beautiful version of “You Belong With Me.” Even when singing solo, the other singers frequently were off-stage singing harmonies.

With all three ladies strumming guitars, they asked the musical question – “why do you have to be so “Mean”? Their voices blended so well together, with each playing guitar, with the band backing them up. Many of Swift’s songs deal with relationships that have gone wrong. Packard and Gines, then Gines and Moran sang funny versions of “I Forgot That You Existed,” then “Never Getting Back Together.”

Sitting alone on stage, before singing a single note, Moran’s face was a portrait in pain. The kind of pain that only comes at the end of a relationship, leaving you sadder but wiser. Putting emotion into every word, Moran sang “Illicit Affairs” with passion, with hurt dripping from every word.

When these ladies combined on a song, it was pure magic. All three voices sang incredible harmonies, non-stop to the show’s conclusion. “Cardigan,” “Cruel Summer” and “Anti-Hero” brought the audience to their feet as the show ended.

With the audience, standing, shouting for more, the ladies came out for their encore. And what an encore it was. The singers invited and encouraged every young Swiftie in the audience to join them on stage. And several young girls did.

Chelsea Packard , Ash Moran (in front, with black dress) with young Swifties singing “Shake It Off”. Jon Ophoff on Keyboard. Photo by Steve Sheldon.

Together, they sang and danced to rousing versions of “Shake It Off” and “Fate of Ophelia,” with the audience standing, singing, dancing and roaring their approval. It was such a fun way to end the Swift Tribute concert. Packard, Gines and Moran brought their unique styles to the stage which made for a very entertaining evening. Whether you are a Taylor Swift fan or like me, not knowing any of the star’s music, this concert will entertain and have you leaving with a smile on your face.

The tribute concert has 7 p.m. shows on Friday (3/13) and Saturday (3/14), and 2 p.m. on Sunday (3/15). There are limited tickets available, which can be purchased at theencoretheatre.org or by calling (734) 268-6200. The Encore Musical Theatre Company is located at 7714 Ann Arbor St., in Dexter.