Hall tonight.

By Patricia Calnan When the curtain rises on tonight's gala opening of `Broadway in Bermuda', an unusually strong local cast will be matching their talents with some of the most respected names on Broadway.

"The really exciting thing is to see how incredibly well the Bermuda cast is performing,'' says the show's New York director, Sheryl Kaller. "They have always done extraordinarily well, but this year they are just amazing. Rebecca Faulkenberry, for instance, who is only 12, is so immensely talented, we felt she should take part. Paul Matthews is doing a `knock-out' piece in which he will be supported by the entire cast and, as a special treat, Wayne Holt will be singing a duet with Beth Dunnington from Sondheim's `Passion'.'' Other participants earning high praise for their efforts include Darren Herbert, Steve Parkinson, Leyoni Junos and Beverly Crick.

Far from being overwhelmed by the thought of working with top professionals -- several of them Tony nominees -- the Bermuda contingent, led by assistant musical director James Burn, are relishing the experience. "Several of them have appeared in our other two shows,'' says Ms Keller, "and it's wonderful to see how well they all blend in with the New Yorkers!'' This is praise indeed from a professional director who, together with co-founders Iva Peele and Beth Dunnington, have lined up a stellar line of talent that includes Willy Falk (Tony nominee for `Miss Saigon' and, yes, he will be performing the signature number from that show); husband and wife team Liz Larsen and Sal Viviano, reprising their leading roles in a selection from `Evita'; and Bob Fosse dancer Dana Moore who, with Nikki Renee will perform a "fantastic'' tap number from `Singin' in the Rain'.

"Then there's James Stovall who is now appearing in `The Life' and took two weeks off from the show so that he could appear in our show,'' says Ms Keller.

"He will be singing an as-yet unreleased song from `Ragtime', a big hit in Toronto which opens in New York soon. And the wonderful Beth Dunnington will be singing her usual plethora of songs that show off her amazing voice. We are very grateful, too, to Heather French, Marjorie Hollis and Eileen Veghte who have done an incredible job in organising our gala party.'' "All my expectations for this show have been exceeded,'' enthuses producer Mark Subias, who recently produced `Stanley', starring Anthony Sher on Broadway. "The work is phenomenal here. This is the first time I've worked with Sheryl and she really is dynamic. I've worked with many big names and she is on a level with, if not exceeding the top directors.'' Hank Meiman, who has worked with Ms Kaller for several years, and is the show's production manager, says "This is my first time in Bermuda and I'm so impressed with the Bermuda cast -- it's been a very happy experience. I would also like to thank Donna Froomkin who, as the Bermuda producer has worked so very hard.'' Organisers are keen to remind the public that the show represents only one facet of the aims undertaken in 1995 when Two Island Productions was formed with charitable status. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of arts education.

Drama student Daniel Frith (in his second year at the famed North Carolina School for the Arts) has been named as recipient of their scholarship for this year. As Dan has already returned to school, his mother, Barbara Frith, will accept the award on his behalf this evening.

Last year, Happy Lindsay won the award and is now studying in England.

"The original idea was to establish a direct link between the islands of Manhattan and Bermuda. Part of the concept was to help develop some of the enormous talent here and, to that end, we established the scholarship scheme.

Of course,'' says Mrs. Peele, "the more people who buy tickets for `Broadway in Bermuda', the more money we can hand over to help these young people! Over the past couple of years we have been developing that talent through children's workshops and I must say they have been wildly successful. The other thing that we are actively working on is the development of a play. I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised when they see the results!'' Sheryl Kaller says that Two Island Productions is also determined to reinforce its positive message about the importance of the performing arts in any community. "Entertainment is not frivolous! It reflects the human condition and without it, we would be bereft. In fact, the medical community is recognising something we, in the theatre, have always known -- that the escapism of theatre has a direct, beneficial effect on our physical and mental well-being. Entertainers are regularly asked to perform in hospitals and now, Wall Street is running big symposiums where `entertainment' forms an integral part of the proceedings. I would like to thank, in particular, Bermuda's business community who have given us extraordinary support in our endeavours.'' `Broadway in Bermuda' opens tonight at City Hall, with performances continuing through Saturday at 8.p.m. Gala performance tickets are $100 (tel.236-3228), regular prices $40, $20 for children at the Saturday matinee, accompanied by an adult. Tickets from Opus One on Reid Street, or telephone 295-8073.