By Bj Lewis

bvl001@latech.edu

 

Students and faculty alike are sought to salute Broadway musicals of the 1950s along with Tech’s School of Performing Arts. The four-day program began yesterday at 7:30 p.m. and continues through Saturday, in the Stone Theatre in the Howard Center for Performing Arts.

David Wylie, an associate professor of music and director of the program, said the format that the production uses has been done since 1994.

“[The show] is done every year at this time in the winter quarter,” Wylie said. “It’s the January production in the Stone Theatre series.”

The production brings together students and faculty members in both the theatre and music departments, Wylie said.

“They are all wonderful,” Wylie said of the student talent involved in this year’s production.

Wylie said each year’s production is made to suit the students’ vocal talents.

“We tailor what we do to the variety of voices we have,” Wylie said.

“They’ve all brought their strengths to this, and we pick selections for the shows that play up those strengths.”

The musical numbers on the program will include “Playing Croquet” from “Little Mary Sunshine,” “Jubilation T. Cornpone” from “Li’L Abner” and “Shy” from “Once upon a Mattress.”

Wylie said the ’50s era is a good decade for music. He said people often know the songs that will be performed but not the shows they come from.

Caty Steward, a junior speech major, has gone to the workshop every year since she was a freshman and is taking her turn at stage manager for this year.

“[The songs] have not always been as popular as some,” Steward said.

“Mr. Wylie picks some of the best songs from the musicals [they come from].”

Steward said Wylie never picks the same songs twice for the program which keeps it fresh and different.

Mark Guinn, production manager for the theatre department, said it has been a hectic week with some students involved in community productions as well as the workshop.

“[There has] been a tremendous amount of work; we will be happy to get up and open,” Guinn said.

He said the show is going to be a fabulous evening of theatre.

“This show is wildly popular and sells out every year,” Guinn said. “A word to the wise: if you’re going to go, call in advance and reserve tickets; it’s worth it.”

Tickets are available in the Stone Theatre Box Office, located in the lobby of the Howard Center for the Performing Arts Monday through Friday from 1:30 to 4:45 p.m.

The price of admission is $8 for adults, $4 for students with ID and $7 for children.

Reservations to guarantee seating may be made by contacting the box office at 257-3942.