A sell-out four-night run of Stars In Your Eyes has once again wowed Wānaka audiences, with even the dress rehearsal at the Lake Wānaka Centre full to capacity for the first time.

Tickets for the popular community show were snapped up within hours of release, and audiences were treated to a wide range of musical performances from local singers, dancers and musicians.

“It was a privilege to be part of such an iconic show, and to work with so many talented local performers,” show director Anna Shaw said.

This year’s show had a fresh look, with Anna - in her first time directing the show - pulling it together in record time alongside an almost entirely new band. David Baker was the only returning musician, joined by Rick Shaw and Chris Tubb on guitar, Aaron Hosking on bass and Gavin Lang on drums.

Guest musicians included Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) students Amos Wells on trumpet and Marco Bjorck on saxophone, with Alan Mathison on harmonica and Johanna Hansen on violin and backing vocals. Hannah Gillespie of Dance Wānaka led a lively dance group which added extra sparkle.

Performers kept their identities under wraps until show night, but the line-up included Billie Scurr as Olivia Newton-John, Ruby Brewer as Dusty Springfield, and Juno Gerlach as Adele. Other highlights included Brent Pihama as Pauly Fuemana of OMC, Angelo Dale as Michael Bublé, and Natasha Simmonds, Anna Murdoch, Geoff Hatten and Ken Johnston as ABBA.

Stars In Your Eyes is organised by the Wānaka Musicians Society. Chairperson Janet Dolan said the show was made possible through hundreds of hours of volunteer time, along with support from sponsors.

“We aspire to professional standards in our shows, and that means paying a small number of people who otherwise would not be able to work with us, and covering unavoidable fixed costs. But all our performers and musicians give their services for free,” she said.

The Wānaka Musicians Society uses proceeds from the show to support local music education. The society funds a scholarship at MAC in memory of founder Jamie Robertson, as well as instruments for schools and the Aspiring Young Musicians programme.

Janet said the society was now also saving towards creating a musical playground in Wānaka, featuring robust outdoor instruments for the community to enjoy.

PHOTO: Del Tubb