College Announces Spring 2015 Performing Arts Schedule

CORTLAND, NY (02/18/2015)(readMedia)-- Productions of the classic Tennessee Williams drama "The Glass Menagerie" and the Broadway hit musical "Legally Blonde," as well as a host of recitals, concerts and dance demonstrations make up an exciting Performance Arts Department schedule during Spring 2015 at SUNY Cortland.

With the exception of the play and musical, all performances are free and open to the public and all are staged in the College's Dowd Fine Arts Center, which is located at the corner of Graham Avenue and Prospect Terrace. Ticket prices and other details will be forthcoming.

"The Glass Menagerie," considered to be American playwright Williams' first successful drama, comes to the SUNY Cortland stage with four shows directed by Mark Reynolds, instructional support assistant. "The Glass Menagerie" will be offered at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19, Friday, Feb. 20, Saturday, Feb. 21; and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22. All performances take place in the Dowd Fine Arts Center Lab Theatre. Ticket prices are $6 for students and $10 for general admission. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

Department faculty members Marion Giambattista, soprano, Gary Moulsdale, tenor, and Alan Giambattista, piano, will present a program of 19th- and 20th-century art song Tuesday, Feb. 24, in Dowd Center, Room 110. The concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m., will feature selections from song cycles by Francis Poulenc's "Banalités," Samuel Barber's "Despite and Still," Hector Berlioz's "Les nuits d'été" and Richard Strauss' "Op. 27."

The semester will feature two "Friday at Four" and two "Wednesday at Four" student recitals, which are overseen by Professor David Neal. All begin at 4 p.m. Both "Friday at Four" concerts take place in Dowd Center, Room 110, with the first on Feb. 27 and the second on March 27. The "Wednesday at Four" concerts are on March 11 in Dowd Center, Room 10, and April 29 in Dowd Center, Room 110.

"Legally Blonde," with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, is based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. Directed at SUNY Cortland by Associate Professor Kevin Halpin, "Legally Blonde" will take the stage in the Dowd Fine Arts Center Theatre for six performances, including four evening shows at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 10; Saturday, April 11; Friday, April 17; and Saturday, April 18; and two Sunday matinee performances at 2 p.m. on April 12 and April 19.

The College Singers, a touring group of mixed voices, will give a concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, in the Dowd Fine Arts Center Theatre. Professor Stephen Wilson will lead the ensemble.

The College-Community Orchestra will perform at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, in the Dowd Fine Arts Center Theatre. Ubaldo Valli, lecturer, will direct the concert.

The Choral Union, a large chorus mixing students and community members, will take place at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, in the Dowd Fine Arts Center Theatre. Professor Stephen Wilson will direct.

Performing Arts Department students will present a "Dance Demonstration" at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 8, in the Dowd Fine Arts Center Theatre.

For more information, visit the Performing Arts Department website or call 607-753-2811.