SUU Opera Theater presents “A Bernstein Birthday Broadway Bash”
By Ashley Pollock
SUU Opera Theater will perform “A Bernstein Birthday Broadway Bash” in celebration of the hundredth anniversary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth Nov. 14–17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Thorley Recital Hall of SUU’s music building. The concert is free and open to the public.
Leonard Bernstein was known as a composer, conductor, educator, and humanitarian. Performing a show featuring his music with students in a university setting is a tribute to all that Bernstein held dear in his life.
“As I was developing this show, I did quite a lot of research on Bernstein,” said Carol Ann Modesitt, vocal director at SUU. “There is a quote I found where Bernstein states exactly how I, myself, feel about music. He says, ‘I can’t live one day without hearing music, playing it, studying it, or thinking about it.’ To me, that quote sums up my life and what music means to me.”
This concert will feature memorable music from “West Side Story,” “On the Town,” “A Wonderful Town,” “The Mad Woman of Central Park,” “The Skin of Our Teeth,” “1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,” and “Candide.”
“The SUU Opera is a great challenge and a great reward,” said SUU student Shanda Johnson. “It’s helped me to become a better singer and performer while simultaneously putting together a delightful and entertaining show. It’s a privilege to work with Professor Modesitt and Dr. Chan. Between their counsel, the many rehearsals, and the hard work of all the participating students, the audience will fall in love and be blown away!”
