Under the Arch

SCHUSTER THEATRE TO HOST PERFORMANCES OF POPULAR MUSICAL CATS

Gannon’s Schuster Theatre in February will host seven performances of the well-known musical CATS.

Performances are scheduled for February 9, 10, 11, 17, and 18 at 8 p.m., and for February 12 at 3 p.m.

In addition, a special performance benefiting the Alex Clemente Fund for The Performing and Related Arts will be held on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. All seats for this performance only will be $15. For reservations contact Britt Daehnke at 871-7261.

CATS is composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and is based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. CATS debuted in London’s West End on May 11, 1981, and on Broadway on Oct. 7, 1982, where it is the second-longest running show.

CATS tells the story of a particular feline tribe, the Jellicles, who have come together for their annual Jellicle Ball at the junkyard, where they announce the cat who can be reborn. Each cat “auditions” with a different song and/or dance number. CATS remains one of the most-loved musicals of all time, having been translated into over 20 languages, and still touring all over the world.

CATS is directed and designed by Ed Helenski, technical director, Schuster Theatre. Shawn Clerkin, director, Schuster Theatre, directs vocals. The show is being choreographed by Gannon students Renae Pryjmak and Lacey Johnson, and fellow student Alaina Manchester designed and built the costumes.

The all-student cast is: Manchester as Grizabella, Steve Fusaro as Munkustrap, Bryan Rall as Old Deuteronomy, Johnson as Rum Tum Tugger, Ryan Dawley as Skimbleshanks, Becky Fresch as Jemima, Greg Wilczynski as Asparagus, Mark Fiscus as Bustopher Jones and Macavity, Hilary Petersen as Jennyanydots, Evan O’Polka as Mr. Mistoffelees/Quaxo, Allie Borland as Jellylorum, Molly Keyes as Bombalurina, Katie Gabelman as Demeter, Allison Karan as Tantomile, Shannon Kearney as Coricopat, Marianna Gall as Victoria, Amanda Flick as Cassandra, Jennifer Krysinski as Mungojerrie, Tasha King as Rumpleteazer, Katie Fernaays as Etcetera, and Melissa Bruckhart as Electra.

The orchestra includes pit conductor/pianist Elaine Crandall, David Gorski on keyboard, Eric Carlson playing clarinet and saxophone, Caitlin McNamara on trombone, Andrew Voytko on guitar, and Jim Griffey on drums and percussion.

Says Helenski, “As one of the first universities to have the opportunity to perform this show, we are very excited. There were a record number of students who auditioned for the show and we’ve assembled a very talented cast. From the number of inquiries about the production, it’s safe to say that audiences are as excited by the show as our students.”

Clerkin adds, “CATS is a very sing-able musical, with pleasing yet simple melodies, clever and touching lyrics, and one of musical theatre’s greatest ballads, ‘Memory.’ My wife and I saw the show on our honeymoon, so working on the show with the Gannon Company and crew is a bit of a walk down memory lane.”

Says choreographer Lacey Johnson, “My biggest concern was creating choreography to suit the talents of the cast. They have been a wonderful surprise with their dedication and enthusiasm.”

Renae Pryjmak says, “This is the first opportunity I have had to choreograph a full-length musical. I am glad I am able to work with such a talented cast. Each performer brings a unique energy to the stage, which is invaluable in the process of staging movement. Working on CATS has been a fun learning experience for me, and it is a great way to finish my senior year at Gannon.”

Costume designer Alaina Manchester: “I was apprehensive going into this project because of the pre-conceived ideas people would have about its look from the Broadway production. Our design has taken a very different direction and has turned out to be a very rewarding process.”

Contact for more information: Ed Helenski, 871-7720 or helenski@gannon.edu

OUR EVENTS

Tuesday, February 7 – Employee Wellness Fair: Offered from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Yehl Room. Spouses of employees also can attend; prizes will be raffled off. Call ext. 7145 to register for the cholesterol/glucose blood test.
Tuesday, February 7 – Personal Finance 101 (part II): Larry Maxted will take questions and go into greater detail about investing. Offered from 12-1 p.m. in the Founder’s Room of the library
Thursday, February 9 – Community Mass: Offered at 11 a.m. in the Chapel.
Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 9-12; Friday-Sunday, Feb. 17-19 – Gannon University’s Schuster Theatre: The theatre will host seven performances of Cats. Words and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.” The performances are directed by Shawn Clerkin, assistant professor, theatre, and theatre director. Thursday-Saturday performances will begin at 8 p.m., Sunday performances at 3 p.m.
Wednesday, February 15 – Financial Aid Workshop: Provides students and their parents an overview of the entire financial aid process, including help on filling out required forms. The workshop will begin at 6:30 p.m. in room 1200 of the Palumbo Center.
Friday, February 17 – Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra: The “Guess the Composer Concert” will feature the orchestra ensemble as soloist. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel.
Sunday-Monday, February 19-20 – Knight with Scholars: The university will welcome to campus more than 120 high school seniors. The program, coordinated by Admissions, is designed specifically for high school seniors who have been accepted to Gannon for the fall 2006 semester and who have been selected for a Gannon academic or leadership scholarship.
Monday, February 20 – Gannon Faculty and Staff Community Meeting: Scheduled for 3 p.m.
“Our Events” is intended to serve as a random sample of campus events. For a more complete listing, refer to Eventcal.

THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEDULE

Monday, February 6 – Visit to Gannon by independent counselors from Washington, D.C. and Maryland. Wednesday, February 8 – Leadership Erie special session. Thursday, February 9 – Community Mass; Manufacturers’ Association of Northwest Pennsylvania private luncheon with Gov. Edward Rendell; student hour.

CURRENT BIRTHDAYS

Nick Viglione. Peter Morgan. Nancy Varner. Charles Bennett. Catherine Phillips. Adam Tuznik. Dan Teliski. Kimberly Cavanagh. Hamid Torab. Bruce Wright. Robert Waidley. Paula Erickson. Claudia Mokwa. Eric Rinehart. George Sucha. Robert Snyder. Sandy Chlopecki. Robin Seneta. Pamela Anderson. Laura Rutland. David Kozak. Georgia Chludzinski. Sister Joyce Lowrey. Bob Teliski. John Jageman. May Bensur. Merrianne Gaber. James Curren. Keith Hardner. Roberta Barilla. Jane Mallin. Colleen Holmes. Lindsey Smyth. Alicia Kwitowski.

HEARD ON CAMPUS

The library will host a second session to Personal Finance 101 on Tuesday, Feb. 7, from 12-1 p.m. Larry Maxted will take questions and go into greater detail about investing, particularly with respect to mutual funds for retirement and other long-term objectives. The session will be held in the Founder’s Room of the library.
Mark your calendar for Gannon’s second annual Employee Wellness Fair, to be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7 in the Yehl Room. Spouses of employees also can attend. A number of health professionals will be on hand to give presentations and answer questions. Attendees will be able to take advantage of numerous free health-related screenings and also will be encouraged to participate in a “lifestyle screening” survey.
Nash Library invites Gannon faculty, staff, and administrators to join its new book club. Library staff would like to start the club after mid-semester break and meet either during lunch (12-1 p.m.) or after work (4:30-5:30 p.m.). The goal is to meet a couple of times a month to discuss book(s) that the group has chosen to read. Both works of fiction and non-fiction will be considered. Organizers look forward to establishing an open, enjoyable environment for all participants. For more information/suggestions call ext. 7667.