By Joanna Reid
Now that the spring semester is underway, it’s time to check out the exciting new season of shows at the Performing Arts Center (PAC).
To kick off the season, in February, the SingStrong A Cappella Festival returns. The festival will hold classes and competitions to raise money for different causes from Feb. 3-5. Five concerts will be held and the Adelphi community has the opportunity to participate or even be an audience member. A past headliner of the festival was Grace McLean, known best for originating the role of Marya in the Broadway musical “The Great Comet of 1812” and her off-Broadway portrayal of the queen of hearts in “Alice By Heart.” This year many different a cappella groups are to perform. Look out for Face Vocal Band (typically known for their rock music), Ball in the House (known for their R&B and soul styles) and Midtown (a barbershop quartet).
After the Festival, Yarn/Wire will perform, continuing Adelphi’s New Music series for the sixteenth year. Yarn/Wire is a band made up of two pianists and two percussionists that orchestrate and perform experimental music all over the world. Then on Feb. 17, the comedic drama “Melancholy Play” will hold performances from Feb. 28 through March 5. The play will be directed by acting professor Shoshanah Tarkow.
On March 26, “Adelphi’s Best of Broadway” is back. Theater students will work together to perform Broadway numbers from contemporary musicals. Popular musicals like “Rent,” “School of Rock,” “The Prom” and “Next to Normal” will all be featured. Other performances in March will be The Step Crew and Imani Winds.
April will start with the play “Men on Boats,” put together by Adelphi’s theater students. The show is based on an 1869 expedition led by a captain with one arm. It will be directed by Lauren DeLeon who also directed Adelphi’s production of “Rose Meant to Wither” and has experience directing on Broadway.
Sara Davis Buechner will also take the stage on April 14. She’ll be visiting Adelphi for the first time to present a solo recital featuring music by notable composers: Mozart, Brahms, Ravel and Chabrier. Buechner is a skilled pianist who has been awarded a Bronze Medal in the 1986 Tchaikovsky Competition and a Gold medal in the 1984 Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition.
Then on April 22 renowned actor, writer, designer and producer Isaac Mizrahi will put on his brand new cabaret show alongside a jazz band. His cabaret is known to incorporate both classic and contemporary songs, as well as a bit of stand-up comedy. As usual, Adelphi’s Symphony Orchestra and dance students will be performing throughout April as well.
Additionally, in May the Theatre Department will be staging performances of the musical “Vanities,” the story of high school cheerleaders who are best friends. Later they attend college together and have to face the fact that they may be growing apart. “Vanities” will be staged in the Black Box Theatre from May 2-7.
To close out the PAC’s spring season, a legacy concert will be held in honor of Broadway and Tony awarded composer Jerry Herman. Herman wrote the infamous musicals, “Hello Dolly,” “La Cage aux Folles” and “Mame.” This event takes place on May 13 and is sponsored by the ASCAP Foundation and Spot-On Entertainment. Broadway performers will sing through some of Herman’s discography to celebrate his life.
With the vast shows at the Performing Arts Center this season, one is surely able to find something they will enjoy. To view a list of all performances and dates visit https://www.adelphi.edu/pac/
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