Last weekend, Viterbo’s theatre and music theatre department finished its run of “Three Sisters,” Anton Chekhov’s classic play of desperation and disillusionment in early 20th century Russia. Digging deeply into the translated text, the production managed to balance both laughter and a stirring pathos, taking the sisters’ emotional turmoil seriously, but never letting the characters sink into a caricature of despair.
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This Mother’s Day, May 9, at 2 p.m., Viterbo University’s Concert Choir and 9th Street Singers will be performing their last concert of the year at the San Damiano Chapel. The choir has had a busy year, performing not only for a conference of Wisconsin’s choral and instrumental directors in November, but for the American Choral Directors Association in the North Central Division in March.
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Viterbo University’s Theatre & Music Theatre departments are closing out the season with a production of Anton Chekhov’s “Three Sisters,” an early 20th century drama set in provincial Russia. “Three Sisters” revolves around the three sisters of the Prozorov family, Olya, Masha, and Irina, played by Charlotte Parker, Molly Pach, and Courtney Toepel, as their romantic aspirations and hopes for a better life hinge on a return to their former lives in Moscow and the soldiers and men they meet.
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Undoubtedly, many students face nights when homework is done, entertainment is needed, but money isn’t there. The tight budgets most students have can be limiting on a Friday night, especially when Avatar seems to be the only movie showing in any theatre.
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On the weekend of Feb. 26-28, Viterbo’s Theatre and Music Theatre Department brought to life a cult classic, “Chess,” with music by Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, and lyrics by Tim Rice. Watching this performance, it’s hard to believe that the show hasn’t seen more widespread success, as a stirring plot, complex and catchy songs and meaty characters all have a chance to shine in the show.
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Finally, Spring Break is here. While many of us dream of going to far-flung locations, soaking in sun, or simply going home for delicious home-cooked food and baked goods, Viterbo is gearing up for the second half of the semester, with numerous shows and recitals ready to be performed when students return.
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Fast-paced physical comedy and wordplay abounded Feb. 12-14 in the Recital Hall as Viterbo’s Music Department presented its production of “The Old Maid and the Thief,” an opera in one act by Gian Carlo Menotti. A small cast and a brief running time were taken advantage of, as a dense plot sped by, filled with pratfalls by Bob, the mysterious wayfarer mistaken for a criminal, played by Allen Pruitt, hysterics from the resident gossip, Miss Pinkerton, played with increasing panic by Chelsey Spaeth, bumbling surprise by Miss Todd, the old maid played by Lizzy Curtis, and clever winks to the audience by Laetitia, the maid performed by Ashley Mispagel.
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Feb. 4-6, Viterbo’s Theatre and Music Theatre Departments presented “Anton in Show Business,” by Jane Marin, a contemporary comedy that takes a penetrating look into the American theatre industry today. A cast of seven women performed onstage and off, with three of the actresses, Katie Bakalars, Cara Kluver, and Chelsea McManimon-Moe, playing numerous men’s and women’s roles.
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Charity concert helps cancer patients
People from Viterbo and the La Crosse area will get a chance to be entertained as they donate on Saturday, Feb. 6 to “Paula’s Purse,” a charity concert of the works of Maury Yeston featuring Viterbo students, teachers, and alumni performing with Broadway veteran Liz McConahay.
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The ratio of new actors just graduating from college that get jobs falls somewhere between 1-to-50 and 1-to-200 according to Audition, one of Richard Walters’s text books used for intro theater classes. Those that do make it in the business do not hold financial security and live on a project to project income, with the average show holding a two month employment and a seasonal contract holding a nine month employment, Walters said.
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For the past six years, the Pump House Regional Arts Center has had a reading series featuring authors and artists from the nearby area, and from as far away as Madison, Wis., Minneapolis, Minn., and even Ames, Iowa. The reading series takes place on the third Thursday of every month from September through May, and excluding December.
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Viterbo’s Theatre and Music Theatre department will be kicking off the spring semester in the Black Box Theatre Feb. 4—6 with their production of Anton In Show Business, an award-winning comedy that lampoons the stereotypes of theatre life, from the diva actress to the dim-headed producer.
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The spring semester has arrived at Viterbo, even if everything outside seems to say that spring is but a distant dream. With the new semester comes a new slew of shows and events to watch out for at Viterbo. Here’s a guide for what to watch out for before spring break: · I Musici de Montreal, a chamber orchestra of 15 musicians, will be performing on Viterbo’s Main Stage Sunday, Jan.
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Viterbo began its run of Steven Sondheim and John Weidman’s “Assassins” Nov. 13, spurring new thought about America’s darker inhabitants. The musical delves directly into the psychology of successful and unsuccessful Presidential assassins throughout the country’s history, giving new perspective and insight on their possible motivations.
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Behind the scenes of 'Assassins'
Think about the last theatrical performance you attended. Recall the lights coming on and the opening music swelling. Picture how the stage was set; try to remember the costumes and the props. Now think about how all of these elements were used to enhance the visual aspect of the performance; think about how different the show would have been without them.
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