Audience taken on musical journey

Taking the audience on a trip through musical history, the Women's Ensemble recently presented their spring concert "On the Radio."

The May 28 opening of the high-energy performance was full of new spins on old classics.
Amateurs took risk by the likes of Elvis Presley, Etta James, and Beyoncé, when they performed their big hits, but the Women's Ensemble did the numbers justice.

The Little Theatre was packed for the concert, and the intimate setting had the effect of making the audience of supportive family and friends feel like they were stepping into a TV and being part of the show.

The ensemble opened with fan favorites "Don't Stop Believing," "Rehab," "Lean On Me," and "On the Radio."

From the beginning the audience was hyped thanks to the high-energy dancing of the cast members.

Jacklyn Aceves proved to be a stand-out dancer with an equally beautiful voice.

Her passion flowed off the stage and into the audience.

Dressed in poodle skirts and saddle shoes, the girls   rocked through the '50s, taking the audience back with Elvis Presley's timeless classic "Can't Help Falling in Love."

Country was thrown into the mix with Lady Antebellum's recent chart-topper "American Honey" and Carrie Underwood's  anthem "Cowboy Casanova."

Continuing with Etta James's "I'd Rather Go Blind," Miriah Avila was a show stopper. Move over Mariah Carey, this girl can sing.

Next, the audience was led into the 1960s. What would soul be without a tribute to the queen herself: Aretha Franklin.

Maelyn Cacho's soulful voice put smiles on faces throughout the theater. She commanded attention.

On to a decade of big hair, neon and side ponytails. The ensemble began the second act with '80s favorites "Fame" and "Like, Totally for Sure" followed by "Jesse's Girl." All of the songs were crowd pleasers.

Just when the audience thought the show could not get any bigger, they heard two words: "Single Ladies."

The hit, originally sung by Beyoncé Knowles, was performed by Maelyn Cacho, who soon had all the single ladies in the crowd putting their hands up.

Of course, "Single Ladies" would be nothing without the dance moves that started a craze in the pop world, and Jacklyn Aceves and Lauren Smolka wearing sparkling dresses delivered those moves.

Bringing in a taste of today's rock, the entire cast performed Green Day's "21 Guns."

The show closed with a tribute to the late King of Pop Michael Jackson.

Director Keely Milliken, the artistic and production staff, and the entire ensemble earned applause for a stellar performance.

"On the Radio" was not just a laundry list of hit songs. It was the perfect mix of a Broadway show and a live concert.