A former member of the internationally renowned and universally celebrated Citrus Singers is set to make her debut on Broadway this fall.
Shawna Hamic – who graduated from Citrus College in 1998 and has performed in regional productions such as “Twist – An American Musical” (directed by Debbie Allen) and “Once Upon a Mattress” – successfully landed a role in a new Broadway musical written by 16- time Grammy Award winner Sting, who composed a number specifically for the Citrus College alumna to sing during the show.
The musical, called “The Last Ship,” tells the story of a group of unemployed shipyard workers who are inspired to take back their shipyard and build one last ship for their own community pride. Hamic will play the role of Mrs. Dees.
“This has been a dream of mine for my entire life,” said Hamic, who now lives in New York City and recently completed a three-year stint playing Madame Thénardier on the 25th anniversary national tour of “Les Misérables.” “It is both monumental and precious at the same time.”
Hamic,
a Bonita High School graduate, was a member of the Citrus Singers from
1995 to 1998, where she had the opportunity to tour Europe twice and
perform in Hawaii for four
weeks.
During her time at Citrus College, a $10 million recording arts studio
was built to allow student performers to record in a professional
facility and learn the finer points of performing arts.
While
enrolled in the Citrus College Fine and Performing Arts Program, Hamic
learned a variety of music genres, from pop to jazz to classic choral to
rock, from instructors who have impressive backgrounds in the
entertainment business.
“The
Last Ship” will open on Broadway in October, following a pre-Broadway
world premiere from June 10 to July 13 at Chicago’s Bank of America
Theatre.