In memory of Paula

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.

Started three years ago in memory of Paula Tower, a Gundersen mammogram tech who lost her life to breast cancer, "Paula's Purse" is a fund through Gundersen Lutheran that helps cancer patients pay for everyday expenses such as groceries and transportation to appointments. Viterbo alumni Beth Lakmann and Liz McConahay first started the concert in January 2008, raising $18,000 for the fund. Since then, the concert has grown to add singers and instrumentalists, with this year's production being the biggest yet. 

Three months of preparation have gone into the show, with a cast of Viterbo students alumni, and teachers including James Nathan, Dean Witz, Diane Foust, Sarah Larson, Cameron Meilike, Jill Iverson, Laura Bien, Mary Leigh Snyder, Gary Moss, Brian Pekol, Travis Cross, Jimmy Erickson, Tom Sturino, Nicky Hilsen, Nikki Balsamo, Lindsay Krautkramer, and the Viterbo Concert Choir, performing with several local musicians. 

Liz McConahay contacted Maury Yeston personally, having worked with him in the national tour of his musical "Titanic," asking for permission to use his works. The Tony award winning composer and lyricist donated all of the performing rights to his music, including "Titanic," "Nine," "Grand Hotel," "Phantom," "Goya," and his December Song Cycle, going so far as to have the Broadway scores and orchestrations shipped to La Crosse.

"Paula's Purse" will perform Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Viterbo FAC Main Theatre. Tickets are $12 for students, $25 for adults for the main floor and first floor balcony, and $22 for second floor balcony seats.