2-22-01
BABES IN ARMS OPENS MARCH 21
When the Rodgers and Hart musical, Babes in Arms, opened on Broadway in
1937, it was about a group of kids who plan to put on a show in a barn.
When it opens at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, on March 21,
2001, it will be about a group of kids who plan to put on a show in a
gym - Penn State Behrend's newly dedicated Athletics and Recreation
Center (ARC).
"This couldn't be a more appropriate show," said Tony Elliot, lecturer
in theatre and director of the college's spring production. `The
location, the cast, and the story are a perfect fit for us. This show
promises to be pure entertainment for the entire family."
The Behrend production is scheduled for Wednesday through Saturday,
March 21-24, at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 25 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are
available by calling (814) 898-6242.
Athletics Director Brian Streeter was equally enthusiastic about using
the ARC for the show.
"The ARC is a multi-purpose facility for student and community use,"
said Streeter. "Tony and I started planning this event last August,
because we knew that presenting Babes in Arms would demonstrate the
building's versatility, and it would bring more people on campus to see
this great new facility."
Babes in Arms focuses on the fun, frustrations, and romances of a group
of college-age would-be actors and actresses at a summer theatre in New
England. When their tyrannical producer works them so hard that they
never have a chance to showcase their talents, the group decides to
produce their own show on their own time.
While the plot of Babes in Arms is simple, the music is not. The show
contains some of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's most memorable and
time-tested songs: Where or When, I Wish I Were in Love Again, My Funny
Valentine, Johnny One Note, and The Lady is a Tramp. Dr. Gary Viebranz,
who heads the college's instrumental music programs, will oversee the
orchestra for the show, and Dr. Dan Barnard, head of choral music
programs, will oversee the vocalists. Behrend graduate Geoff Bach will
choreograph the dance numbers.
Babes in Arms will feature a talented cast that includes students,
staff, and members of the community. Thad Esek of South Park,
Pennsylvania, plays Valentine White, leader of the theatre apprentices.
He is pursued by Susie Ward, played by Mary Beaumont of Harborcreek.
Chrissy Paone of Erie takes the part of Jennifer Owen, the former child
star who turns all the boys' heads, and Erie resident Liz Kelly plays
Phyllis, Jennifer's mom.
Leo Hanley of Pittsburgh and Andrea Rodriguez of Erie play apprentices
Gus and Terry, who are comically in and out of love throughout the show.
Stephen Merritt of Cochranton is Lee Calhoun, the southern playwright,
and Michael Stephenson of York plays theatre producer Steve Edwards.
Dan Schiesser, Behrend's director of Residence Life, is featured as
Seymour Fleming, the tyrannical producer, and Rebecca Wolford plays
Bunny, his assistant. Other cast members who serve as summer theatre
apprentices are Mike Kupniewski, Jessica Dows, Steve Johnston, Tricia
Michel, Tony DiPlacido, James Washburn, Steve Finch, Nam Haeng Song,
Janine Noce, Rob Kearns, and Nathan Saccol.
"This is the first musical we've presented at Behrend since Pirates of
Penzance in 1998," said Elliot. "We have an abundance of student
musical talent on campus, and students are always asking for more
musicals and an opportunity to perform."
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Contact: Loretta Brandon
(814) 898-6063 (O)
(814) 864-9922 (H)
e-mail: lzb6@psu.edu