Niagara University Theatre unveils sparkling celebratory season

August 22, 2006

On Nov. 21, Niagara University will mark its 150th anniversary. According to Brendan Powers, Niagara University Theatre’s artistic director, “In honor of the university’s sesquicentennial year, Niagara University Theatre’s 2006 – 07 season will celebrate with a sparkling series of plays, musicals, intimate readers’ theater productions and special events that are reflective of various aspects of Niagara’s mission.” These productions will embody such themes as compassion for the poor and oppressed, love of family and neighbor, honoring tradition, the quest for creativity, knowledge and inquiry, and respecting the God-given dignity of all persons.

What's in store this season? The acclaimed Broadway hit musicals "Godspell" and "Fiddler on the Roof." Two historical jewels: the inspiring drama, “Vincent in Heaven,” and the charming “Letters Home from Niagara.” Also coming up this season is Tim Robbins’ thought-provoking "Dead Man Walking;" William Shakespeare’s endearing comedy, “As You Like It;” our student-directed "Festival of One-Act Plays," and "24-Hour Project,” as well as an exciting end-of-the-year “Senior Showcase.” And for music lovers, there will be two special “Concerts for St. Vincent,” featuring the vocal and musical talents of NU Theatre faculty and students and the popular Lexington String Quartet. In addition, NU Theatre students and faculty will record a Christmas CD that will be available for sale during the holiday season.

The season begins on the Leary Theatre stage from Oct. 5 through 15 with “Vincent in Heaven,” written by Brother Augustine Towey, C.M., director emeritus of Niagara University Theatre and a professor in the university’s Department of Theatre and Fine Arts. Directed by alumnus Neil A. Casey, this popular and appealing portrait of the university’s patron saint, Vincent de Paul, is a fitting start to the celebratory season. This funny and touching, historical and inventive production first premiered at Niagara University in 1988. It presents St. Vincent from his own point of view in eternity as he looks back at his life, the communities and works he founded and the fascinating people who chose to follow in his footsteps. The production showcases St. Vincent as a man for all seasons and for all ages. A preview will be held at 8 p.m. on Oct. 5, with continuing performances at 8 p.m. on Oct. 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14. Matinees will be held at 2 p.m. on Oct. 8 and 15.

Examining the “human consequences” of the death penalty, “Dead Man Walking” is an unforgettable drama by Tim Robbins, adapted from Sister Helen Prejean’s best-selling memoir of the same name. Directed by Brendan Powers, Niagara University Theatre’s artistic director, this readers’ theater production will be held at the Leary Theatre at 8 p.m. on Nov. 3 and 4, and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 5. Members of Niagara’s Criminal Justice, Political Science, and Religious Studies departments and others will participate in post-show discussions of this important piece, which has been described as being “both enlightening and devastating.” The 1995 film version of “Dead Man Walking,” starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn, was critically acclaimed for its compelling and complex portrayal of a death-row inmate and the nun to whom he turned for spiritual guidance.

For the third year in a row, Niagara University Theatre students invite the community to attend plays created during their "24-Hour Project," produced under the supervision of adjunct theater professor Larry Smith. At 8 p.m. on Nov. 11 at the Leary Theatre, students will present original short plays based on a central theme. And talk about a race against the clock! The challenge is that the students must create the productions from scratch, serving as directors, playwrights, stage managers and actors during a 24-hour period. It's amazing what a day's work can yield!

On Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. a special “Concert for St. Vincent” will be held at Niagara University Theatre-at-the-Church, 415 Plain St., Lewiston. The concert will spotlight the talents of the renowned Lexington String Quartet in the beautiful church setting. The Lexington String Quartet includes principle players from the Western New York Chamber Orchestra. The group is also an artist-in-residence at the SUNY at Fredonia. A second “Concert for St. Vincent,” featuring the vocal and musical talents of Niagara University Theatre students and faculty will be showcased at the church at 3 p.m. on Feb. 17. Both concerts will feature secular and sacred songs and are made possible by the Eastern Province of the Vincentian Community of Priests and Brothers.

In December, Niagara University Theatre presents a colorfully wrapped Christmas gift to the community: the exuberant and inspiring musical, “Godspell.” The Gospel parables come alive in this popular and vibrant musical treatment about Jesus Christ’s life. With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Michael Tebelak, this production will be directed by Niagara University adjunct theater professor Robin Patterson with musical direction by Donald Shrimpton. Among the show’s memorable tunes are, “Day by Day;” “Turn Back, O Man;” “All for the Best;” and “Light of the World.” “Godspell” will be on stage at Niagara University Theatre-at-the-Church, 415 Plain St., Lewiston. The production previews on Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. and continues at 8 p.m. on Dec. 8, 9, 15 and 16. Matinees will be held at 2 p.m. on Dec. 10 and Dec. 17.

From Jan. 26 through Feb. 4, Niagara University Theatre's annual Festival of One-Act Plays makes for a fascinating and eclectic dose of theater. Presented over two weekends, the productions are as unique as the senior student directors at the helm. The Festival of One-Act Plays, under the supervision of theater faculty members, will be on stage at the Leary Theatre at 8 p.m. on Jan. 26 and 27 and Feb. 2 and 3. Matinees will be held at 2 p.m. on Jan. 27 and 28 and Feb. 3 and 4.

An array of endearing characters expound on life and love in William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” on stage at the Leary Theatre in March. Directed by artist-in-residence Steve Vaughan, this lively romantic comedy takes audiences back in time to the forest of Arden. The production previews at 8 p.m. at the Leary Theatre on March 1 and continues at 8 p.m. on March 2, 3, 9 and 10. Matinees will be held at 2 p.m. on March 4 and 11.

Audiences will enjoy a nostalgic window on university life in the early 1900s when Niagara University Theatre presents the world premiere of the readers’ theater production, “Letters Home from Niagara,” written and directed by Brother Augustine Towey, C.M., director emeritus. This charming production, created especially for the university’s sesquicentennial celebration, uses a series of actual letters written by Harold Kennedy, a Niagara University student, between the years of 1911 and 1914. These letters were discovered by a Niagara University administrator several years ago on the Internet’s “E-Bay,” and were subsequently shared with Brother Augustine, a renowned poet and playwright. Over 90 years ago, Kennedy penned the newsy, funny and touching letters to his mother and his sister, a college student at Vassar. Since the corresponding letters from Mrs. Kennedy and her daughter are not available, the playwright has created this correspondence, imagining it as it might have been, creating the life a young student lived at Niagara University away from home in the years before and at the start of World War I. The production will be on stage at Niagara University Theatre-at-the-Church, 415 Plain St., Lewiston, at 8 p.m. on March 30 and 31 and at 2 p.m. on April 1.

The Irish saying, “The older the fiddle, the sweeter the tune,” certainly applies to the enduringly popular 1964 Broadway hit, “Fiddler on the Roof.” Niagara University Theatre’s 2006 – 2007 season concludes with this heartwarming, engaging musical which has touched audiences around the world with its humor, warmth and honesty. Set in 1905 in Anatevka, a small Jewish village in Russia, “Fiddler on the Roof” tells the story of dairyman Tevye, played by NU alumnus Paul Todaro (a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers), and his attempts to preserve his family’s traditions during a time of change and upheaval in the outside world. The production’s universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness. With its book by Joseph Stein, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and music by Jerry Bock, the popular production will be on stage at the Leary Theatre from April 19 through 29. Directed by Brother Augustine Towey, C.M., the unforgettable score includes such hits as “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Tradition,” and “Sunrise, Sunset.” Musical direction will be provided by Donald Shrimpton and choreography will be by Terri Filips. The musical previews at 8 p.m. on April 19 and continues at 8 p.m. on April 20, 27, and 28, with 2 p.m. matinees on April 22 and 29. On April 21, the 22nd annual Gala of the Friends of Niagara University Theatre will include a special 4 p.m. matinee performance of “Fiddler on the Roof” at the Leary Theatre, followed by an elegant dinner and exciting silent auction at the Castellani Art Museum. The gala event is open to the public. For more information contact Peg Lacki at (716) 286-8483 or Ann Heuer at (716) 286-8480.

On May 2 at 8 p.m., Niagara University Theatre’s graduating seniors will present their “Senior Showcase,” an evening of short performance pieces at the popular Smith Theatre of Buffalo. The evening will include song, dance, scenes and monologues as well as visual displays by the theater’s design/technology students.

The NU Theatre Box Office opens on Sept. 18. For information or to order tickets by credit card, call the Niagara University Theatre Box Office at (716) 286-8622, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased at the Box Office, located in the Dwyer Arena on the NU campus. In addition, tickets can be ordered through www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling (716) 852-5000 in the Buffalo area or (416) 870-8000 if ordering from Canada.