Sure, directors are supposed to say they're thrilled about whichever new show they're at the helm of.
But when you see the smile on James Bryson's face and feel the vibe of excitement that surrounds him, you know just how genuine his enthusiasm is.
Bryson is at the helm for Just Broadway!, a large-scale showcase that's the first musical theatre production - and the first full-scale production of any kind - at the new Anvil Centre theatre.
"This is so exciting!" Bryson announces, casting his eye around the shiny new theatre - where even now, workers are putting the finishing touches on a few of the final details.
It's particularly special to Bryson to be involved in the launch of the new theatre because his affiliation with New West stretches back some 25 years - he's been with Royal City Musical Theatre for all of its productions at the Massey Theatre.
When he was asked if he was interested in having his company, James Productions, stage the first show at the Anvil Centre, there was no hesitation.
"I said, of course!" he says with a grin.
Bryson has been mulling the idea of a Broadway-focused show for a couple of years now - a show that would pull together some of the favourite songs he has encountered as RCMT's musical director over the years.
For 14 years, his company produced big Christmas Pops productions, with full orchestra and ensembles of up to 16 singers. He envisioned the same sort of production, but focusing on Broadway music. So, he says with a smile, he started pulling in all his markers and recruiting some of the best talent he knows.
"I said, 'Everybody come and let's gather together and do a great show of Broadway music," he says.
The result is a show that includes three top professional singers: Steve Maddock, Tracy Neff and Jennifer Hayes.
Bryson has worked with them all before - in the case of Hayes, he in fact taught her when she was a student at Centennial Secondary in Coquitlam - and enthuses about their level of talent.
Getting all three to agree to be in the show, he immediately started thinking about professional instrumentalists to join them.
"With Steve Maddock and company, I wanted to have somebody playing for him who is as outrageously good as he is," Bryson says.
He found that in the person of pianist Diane Lines - "She quite possibly is the best pianist that I know," Bryson says - plus percussionist Rob Ferguson and Jenn Hodge on bass.
They're joined by an eight-member vocal ensemble and 15 more instrumentalists for a lavish evening of vocal and instrumental music that will delve into the Broadway canon.
"I chose 22 of my favourite Broadway show tunes, and that was the fun of it," Bryson says.
The songs - which will all be tied together by host Mark Turpin as the evening progresses - include such favourites as Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat and Luck Be a Lady from Guys and Dolls, On the Street Where You Love from My Fair Lady, All That Jazz from Chicago and I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables.
Also on the bill will be Written in the Stars from Elton John's musical Aïda, Too Darn Hot from Kiss Me Kate, and This is the Moment from Jekyll and Hyde - the latter being a power ballad originally made famous by Broadway star Colm Wilkinson.
(For the record, Bryson cites Wilkinson as one of the best male voices ever heard and promises that Steve Maddock's rendition isn't far off.)
The evening will feature solos, group numbers choreographed by Melissa Assalone, and instrumental-only renditions, as well as appearances by some special guests - including Julia MacLean, who starred as Annie in the Royal City Musical Theatre production last year.
"This is just kind of special to me, I get to work with all these fabulous people," Bryson says. "It is so exciting, I can't wait."
For it all to be happening in the new Anvil Centre theatre just adds to his excitement. Bryson notes he was surprised but pleased by the city's decision to include a first-class theatre in the new centre.
"It's very progressive for the Lower Mainland," he says "This is a real - I don't know if you'd say coup for New West, but this is really nice."
Tickets are $30 apiece, or $26 each if purchased in a group of eight. Check out www.ticketsnw.ca to buy.
Check out www.jamesproductions.ca for more on the production.
