Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / April 23, 1998, edition 1 / Page 10
Part of Elon University Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
10 April 23,1998 j. , , , ^ftS Se ^ Students present 'A Grand Night for Singing' ntertainment Katisha Hayes Pendulum Reporter Music theater majors from the theater arts department will put on a number of show stopping perfor mances from some of the best mu sicals in theater history Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. in McCrary Theater. “A Grand Night for Singing" started six years ago as a way for students who weren’t in the big shows or plays to have an opportu nity to showcase their talents, said Catherine McNeela, director of the show. “It gave them an opportunity to fly and stretch their wings.” The show will feature musical numbers from renown shows like “West Side Story,” “Smokey Joe’s Cafe,” “Company,” “Beauty and the Beast” and several others. “There are about 15 numbers being done by 30 majors,” said Corey Bradley, a music theater major and assistant director of the show. Bradley will lend himself and his talents to several of the musical numbers. An average of four students are involved in each production. McNeela said that when the show first began only students per formed solos. “There were only 15 majors back then, but now we have 45 majors and we had to cut half the pieces because we had so many good ones,” she said. “We have so many people now that it is impossible to do solos.” Over the years the show has changed a lot from people just sing ing solos. McNeela said the pieces are now more complex and difficult. but more exciting. “A lot of dancing, choreogra phy and movement are involved in all the numbers,” Bradley said. Last semester students were able to pick which musicals they wanted to perform. In February, auditions were held and students were cast for the musicals chosen. Students have been rehearsing since February and have been working in dependently on their pro ductions. “They were in charge of directing and choreography their own productions," Bradley said. This week McNeela and Bra dley will bring all the individual productions to gether for the first time since February to re hearse for opening night. “They were in charge of every thing up to this point, but now I’m taking over,” McNeela said. McNeela will critique the student produc tions and make the necessary changes. If she sees something she doesn’tlike, she will change it. For the most part, McNeela said that she is usually impressed. “We have a lot of wonderful, talented students who are doing what they love most,” she said. “What could be more fun?” However, McNeelaadmits that the production does stress her out. She is used to being in charge and having everything under control, but for this particular show the students were in charge of putting their own performances to gether. “Everything was out of my hands, “ she said. “ I don’t need to worry but I do. I know they are going to make it happen.” Bradley said most music theater majors realize that they need to prove to the department that they can put on productions without the help of McNeela and other faculty members. The last thing you want to do is make a fool out of yourself in front of the d e - part- ment,“ he said. ‘Ycu have to show them you are re sponsible, that you are focused on your ca reer and that you are dedi cated.” In addition, Bradley said that the main purpose of the perfor mance is to impress the audience. ’’They need to realize that the show must go on,“ McNeela said. Both Bradley and McNeela encourage everyone to attend the performance. She assures that everyone will leave with a smile on their face. “Each year I always say that was the best Grand Night yet. I’m sure this [one] will be true also,” The Student Union Board o •lUi* .. McNeela said, evening.” ‘It will be a fun Do you know an Elon student or professor that belongs in jail?!?! If you do then put them behind bars this Friday in front of the Moseley Center ESA’s JAIL and BAIL Friday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Top 20 Box Office Hits Weekend of April 17 Enkriainmeni WeeMi^ t ”City of Angels 2. ^^The Object of My Affection** 3. *'Lost in Space" 4. mmnic** 5* ^^Faulie** 6: "Species 7. **Th€OM Couple U: Traveling Ught*^ 8» "Mercury Rising** 9. *rhe Player*s Cluy* 10* **MaJor League HI: Back to the Minors'* It **AsGoodAslt Gets** 12. **Primary Colors*' 13. **My Giant** 14. **Bamey*s Great Adventure** 15. **Good Will Hunting** 16. **Grease** 17. **TheManinthe Iron Mask** 18. **Everest** 19. **Wild Things** 20. **LA. Confidential**
Elon University Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
April 23, 1998, edition 1
10
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75