News

By Lisa Boykin Batts (Class of 1984) The Wilson Times

(August 19,2010)

Lauren Kennedy returns to the theater that bears her name, this time as performer.

The Broadway actress will be featured in the one-woman show, "Tell Me On A Sunday," running Sept. 2-5 at the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre at Barton College.

Kennedy said the Andrew Lloyd Webber show has a great score and that she's excited about the music and working with director Matthew-Jason Willis. Some of the music has been altered to be more accessible to the audience, she said.

"We're putting a little of our own spin and take on it," she said.

The show has changed in general with each production since it opened in 1979, she said. There are a number of materials and lyrics to choose from. Three of her favorite songs from the show are "Tell Me On a Sunday," "Unexpected Song" and "Come Back with the Same Look in Your Eyes."

She will play the role of Emma, an outsider to New York (not England as in the original show) who's looking for success in her career.

The show isn't performed often, she said. It's only 80 minutes, features one-person on stage plus a decent size band, and doesn't make sense for a lot of theaters. But it works well for these two stages.

Although she has directed at the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre, this show marks the first time Kennedy, whose credits include "Spamalot," "Les Miserables" and "Sunset Boulevard," has performed for the public in the theater.

"It is such an honor to even have my name on a building, let alone a theater where I can continue to hone my craft and entertain," Kennedy said.

It's no coincidence that the show opened Wednesday night as the season's final show of this year's Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy in Raleigh. That's been part of a master plan for several years now.

The Kennedy family, including Lauren's father, K.D. Kennedy, and brother Michael Kennedy started Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy. It was the Kennedy family who gave the major gift to fund the Barton theater. Once that happened, the wheels started turning, and plans were made to share performances at the Kennedy with productions at Barton's black box theater.

"We're hoping to form a real sisterhood with the two theaters," Lauren Kennedy said.

Barton's year-old theater needs to bring in programming other than what's produced at the schools and to build an audience, she said.

"It's just a great way to start and a great way to put it on the map."

The plan involves including Barton students working in the production of the summer shows, particularly the one that travels to the campus.

This summer, three Barton students, Wesley Pridgen, Jess Jones and James Duncan, and recent graduates Jenson Davis and Chris Wallen worked with the Hot Summer Nights productions.

Wallen is assistant stage manager for "Tell Me On A Sunday," Jones is running crew, Davis is spot light operator and Duncan is sound board operator. Pridgen worked on three other Hot Summer Night shows but not this one.

Kennedy described the Barton group as "hard-working kids."

"They have worked so hard and have been so joyful and sweet and patient," she said.

Jones said she transferred to Barton last year because she wanted to have this kind of internship experience. She's worked on sets for all the shows this summer and as a stagehand. "The contacts I've made have been priceless," she said.

Jones, who called Lauren Kennedy "a fantastic performer," said anyone who comes to Barton to see the show will love it.

"We're bringing it back to our community, which is a great thing to be able to do," she said. Lauren Kennedy is also happy to have the show in Wilson.

"I am so grateful to Barton and to my parents, K.D. and Sara Lynn Kennedy, for their generosity and support!"

lisa@wilsontimes.com | 265-7810

Photos courtesy of Keith Barnes, The Wilson Times.

"Tell Me On A Sunday"  Featuring Lauren Kennedy in the one-woman Andrew Lloyd Webber show Sept. 1-5 at The Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre at Barton College.  (The Sept. 1 show is by invitation only.)

Shows are 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and older and military, $10 for non-Barton students, and $2 for Barton students and employees if purchasing online or free at the door with a Barton ID. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at 866-811-4111 or by visiting http://www.barton.edu/theatre/.

WILSON, N.C. - The Barton College/Wilson Symphony Orchestra will present their Spring Concert on Sunday, May 2, at 3 p.m. in the new Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre on the Barton campus. The symphony, under the direction of Mark N. Peterson, will welcome back to the Barton stage the internationally acclaimed pianist Jeremy Thompson to perform Edvard Grieg's hauntingly romantic "Piano Concerto in A Minor." The orchestra will also play two beloved works of Franz Schubert: the "Unfinished Symphony" and "The Rosamunde Overture."

Currently residing in Goldsboro, Dr. Thompson has performed throughout North America and Europe, thrilling audiences with his virtuosity and the emotional and intellectual depth of his playing.  He was born in Dipper Harbour, a small fishing village in New Brunswick, Canada. In 2005, Dr. Thompson earned a Doctorate of Music in piano performance from McGill University, where he held two of Canada's most prestigious doctoral fellowships. During his studies, he performed with orchestras such as the Saint Petersburg State Academic Orchestra, the Saratov Philharmonic Orchestra, the Georgian National Orchestra, and the McGill Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Thompson has performed and given master-classes at various colleges and universities throughout North America and is in demand as a collaborative pianist. He is comfortable with music from all eras yet specializes in a highly virtuosic repertoire. Although his range is expansive both as a solo performer and as a collaborative pianist, Dr. Thompson has a personal interest in championing the works of Canada's major composers such as Brian Cherney, Jose Evangelista, and Jean Papineau-Couture. He currently serves as the Director of Music Ministries at the First Presbyterian Church of Goldsboro.

Dr. Thompson will be performing on a Fazioli concert grand piano furnished by Ruggero Piano Company of Raleigh. Hand-made in Italy, the Fazioli pianos are considered by concert artists the world over to be the finest pianos anywhere. "It's like driving a Lamborghini," said Thompson. "There is no way to describe its amazing responsiveness and power." Dr. Thompson considers this piano to be the perfect instrument for the Grieg concerto.

Ever since its triumphant first performance, the "Grieg Piano Concerto" has been a warhorse of the classical repertoire. It has been performed and recorded countless times by the world's finest pianists and orchestras and is considered by many to be the greatest concerto ever written. Its reputation is justly deserved, for this is a concerto of many moods, which spins an almost magical lyricism that audiences find utterly captivating. Grieg, composing this work at the age of 24, infused his concerto with German romanticism along with rhythms and melodic patterns from his native Norway. In spite of such enormous success, Grieg never completed another concerto; thus this work can be perfectly and precisely identified as the "Grieg Concerto."

No one knows for sure why Schubert's "Symphony no. 8″ is unfinished, although speculation abounds. This much is certain; after the Austrian music society in Graz gave Schubert an honorary diploma, he reciprocated by submitting the score for a symphony in B-minor to his friend Anselm Hüttenbrenner, who was the Viennese representative of the society. Inexplicably, Hüttenbrenner never delivered the work but kept it in a desk for over 42 years. When he finally showed the two-movement score to conductor Johann von Herbeck in 1865, the symphony was finally given a proper premier in Vienna and quickly became an indispensable part of every orchestra's repertoire.

When Schubert's attempt at grand opera, "Alfonso und Estrella," failed, he did everything possible to save the opera's wonderful overture. One year later, the work became the overture to the incidental music that he composed for the play "Rosamunde." The play was also a dismal failure, but the incidental music has survived to become a favorite orchestral suite. The overture was first written for a long forgotten play called "The Magic Harp," and since this was the only version truly related to the text, it is frequently titled "Overture to Die Zauberharfe." Whatever its origins or its name, this is one of Schubert's finest orchestral pieces, filled with ingratiating tunes and demonstrating his characteristic warm-heartedness and good humor through a masterly use of the orchestra's resources.

Following the concert, the audience is cordially invited to meet the musicians at a reception, hosted by ARAMARK Higher Education, in the Bridgestone Americas Atrium of the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre.

Admission for the fall orchestra performance will be $10 at the door or by season ticket. All students within the community will be admitted free of charge as well as faculty, staff and students of Barton College. For additional information, please contact Arlene Bishop-Giese at 252-399-6309 or email: albishopgiese@barton.edu.

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Questions? Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

"Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett

WILSON, N.C. - On Thursday, Nov. 12, the new Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre at Barton College will open its doors for the theatre's inaugural student production, "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett.  Evening performances will be held Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 12-14, at 8 p.m. and on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m.

"Samuel Beckett's complex and magnificent 'Waiting for Godot' is a challenging work that has been called "the greatest play of the 20th century," and is by all accounts a modern classic," shared Adam Twiss, director of Theatre of Barton.

Twiss explained that Beckett lived, worked, and wrote in France and Ireland during both world wars and he wrote "Godot" shortly after World War II.  Twiss noted that the play reflects a level of discomfort with the development of atomic warfare and the newfound ease with which man can annihilate himself.  "This play is often described as "existentialist" or "absurdist," but the playwright never desired a label, preferring to have the material speak for itself," added Twiss.

The audience is introduced to two characters who pass the time waiting on the side of a road for someone named "Godot."  As they wait, other characters enter their lives offering bits of pseudo-enlightenment, pseudo-information, or most importantly "diversions" from their routine.

"Over the years, the play has engendered limitless scholarly debate aimed at exposing a hidden meaning," continued Twiss.  "Overt political, biblical, and Freudian undertones are readily apparent; however, "Waiting for Godot" is more a comment on man himself than on those elements that comprise him."

The play has been adapted to film several times and was most recently revived on Broadway this past spring with award-winning actors Nathan Lane, Bill Irwin, and John Goodman.

"This is a wonderful play to work on in our new black box theatre, where we can modify the configuration to fit our take on the production; the work is very challenging for actors and audience alike, but we are incredibly proud to present it to you," Twiss said.

The "Waiting for Godot" company, directed by Twiss, includes student and local talent: Wesley Pridgen, Chris Wallen, Jess Jones, Fletcher Duke, and Jorge Santos.  Chris Bernier, technical director of theatre, will oversee the lighting and scenic design.  Costume design is by Dr. Sharon Montano, and sound design is by Matt Smith. Whitley Stanley is the stage manager, and Jensen Davis is the assistant stage manager.  Poster art for the production was created by the graphic design class under the direction of Susan Fecho.

Purchase individual show tickets online at www.barton.edu/theatre, or call the box office toll-free at (866) 811- 4111. The hours of operation are 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. E.S.T. Monday - Friday and 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Please note that NO service fees are charged for either online or phone ticket purchases.

General admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students.  Barton College students, faculty and staff are admitted free with proper ID. Group rates are also available for parties of six or more; contact Adam Twiss at ajtwiss@barton.edu or 252-399-6484 to make arrangements.

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Questions?  Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre.

WILSON, N.C. - Think Theatre! Think Barton!  On Saturday, September 12, the curtain will rise on the new Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre (http://www.barton.edu/theatre) at Barton College in Wilson. A Black-Tie Gala, celebrating the grand opening of the theatre, culminates in a world premiere production of "Drift," a new musical by New York composer Jeremy Schonfeld, directed by Lauren Kennedy, and co-produced by Raleigh's "Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy."

The Black Tie Gala will honor theatre donors who have contributed $2,500+ toward the construction of the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre. On Sunday afternoon, Sept. 13, a Wine and Cheese Reception, with a second presentation of "Drift," is planned for additional theatre donors and invited guests. The weekend festivities will showcase this distinctive new theatre prior to its public opening on September 16.

"The Grand Opening Weekend for the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre will provide an opportune occasion to express our gratitude for the vision and financial commitment of the Kennedy family and all donors who have supported the building of this new 'black box' teaching theatre on the Barton campus," shared Dr. Norval C. Kneten, president of Barton College. "This new theatre will complement the performance assets of the region and will provide new dimensions for the community to experience theatre and other performance art."

Jeremy Schonfeld's "Drift"

Schonfeld's "Drift," presented by Theatre at Barton and Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy will begin its public run for the Greater Wilson community at the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 16 and will continue through Sunday, Sept. 20. The show will move to The Kennedy Theatre at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh and will run from September 23-27. All tickets for "Drift" are available at http://www.hotsummernightsatthekennedy.org.

Campaign and Construction

"The need for a home for theatre at Barton has long been recognized," said Dr. Norval C. Kneten, president of Barton College. Fundraising for the new theatre began prior to 2003, and an extensive study confirmed that a teaching theatre in the form of the classic 'black box' would best serve those needs. The project's leading donor, Dr. K.D. Kennedy, Jr., a former member and past chair of the Barton College Board of Trustees, created an incredible surge of support for the much needed theatre. The Kennedy family contributed in excess of $1 million, and total fundraising for the project has exceeded $3.1 million to date.

When the project was publicly announced, Dr. Kennedy cited a number of reasons that prompted his support of this project, not the least of which was the value of philanthropy his father instilled in him at an early age. He shared that his dad, the late K.D. Kennedy, a trustee emeritus of Barton College, taught his son the importance of giving to programs and projects that enriched the lives of young people. Theatre has always been a passion for Dr. Kennedy, his wife, Sara Lynn, and their family; this project just seemed to be a natural fit.

The Theatre Campaign Steering Committee, led by Barton trustee Eric Sellers, announced in early October 2007 the extraordinary success in the silent phase of the "Think Theatre! Think Barton!" campaign as the College began its transition into the public phase of fundraising. The theatre's groundbreaking was held in April 2008 and construction began by early summer. The theatre was completed just in time for the opening of Barton College's 2009 fall semester.

The Black Box Theatre and Its Impact

The dream of a state-of-the-art black box theatre at Barton College is now a reality. The theatre is named in honor of Broadway stars Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell of New York, veteran actors who have committed their time and energy to support the theatre's educational program. Both Kennedy and Campbell plan to visit the Barton campus annually to teach master classes, conduct seminars, and coach theatre majors. "These dedicated artists have been recognized with numerous awards and nominated for the Tony Award, live-theatre's highest honor. Now, Lauren and Alan pledge their support to Barton's theatre. Their direct ties to the world of professional theatre are an incredible asset to our students and will undoubtedly set our program apart," said Adam Twiss, director of the theatre program at Barton College.

As a teaching facility, the versatility of the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre is a tremendous recruitment tool, attracting serious theatre students to pursue their educational goals at Barton College. Non-theatre majors at Barton are also encouraged to experience the excitement of the stage and will benefit from working in a flexible, black box theatre.

The theatre consists of several spaces including a spacious atrium that can serve as a reception area and gallery for college and community events, a fully-equipped scene shop for building props and scenery, offices for theatre program personnel, dressing rooms, costume storage, and of course, the performance space.

"Along with staged productions, the performance space will be where hands-on theatre training is conducted," added Twiss. "This particular style of performance space is referred to as 'a black box' or 'flexible-space.'  It consists of four bare walls, a flat, open floor plan, and a utilitarian grid above the entire space. The beauty of this type of space for a training program is that it can be configured in any fashion; the theatre produced here will be limited only by our imaginations.  And, Barton's students can have the experience of working in all the types of theatres they will face professionally."

"What Barton will be able to offer with the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre is truly revolutionary for our theatre program and the students who comprise it," he continued. "I am thrilled to begin the fall semester in this new facility, and I look forward to the years of innovative, collaborative, and creative energy that will flow from the new theatre and will be identifiable element of our comprehensive Barton experience."

"Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy," headquartered in Raleigh, also plans to bring their acclaimed summer productions to the new Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre. This partnership with the Barton theatre program commences with this inaugural production of "Drift." The show features several Barton students working alongside industry professionals, gaining invaluable experience. And, these professional opportunities for Barton students will provide the essential industry connections required for employment upon graduation.

Visit http://www.barton.edu/calendars and click on the "public events calendar" for the latest listings of Theatre at Barton productions and other events to be held in the new Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre.

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Questions?  Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations at Barton College, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

Wire-wrapped vase by Mark Gordon

WILSON, N.C. — The 2009-2010 exhibition season for the Barton Art Galleries begins with Mark Gordon: Recent Works.  The ceramics exhibition will open on Monday, Aug. 24, and will run until Friday, Sept. 18. An opening reception for the exhibition will be held on Sunday, Aug. 30 from 2-4 p.m. This event is open to the public at no charge, and the community is invited to attend.

A professor of ceramics at Barton College, Gordon fills the Virginia Thompson Graves Gallery with many of his iconic vessels. Forms in the exhibit, placed on individual pedestals and lining the walls, create a monolithic display evoking a quiet reverence as if in a place of worship.

"Clay is a universal medium; potters' vessels have formed an essential part of material culture, shared Gordon. "Often, in the vessels, Greek or Chinese forms seem to be echoed in my clay shapes." Works presented range from more traditional smooth-surfaced vessels to composite, coagulate encrusted versions. In these latter pieces, the surfaces retain a comfortable tension somewhere between chaos and structure. Their forms resemble things one might find in nature, but on the molecular level.

Gordon's inspiration is often derived from an eclectic mix of nature and plant growth, animal skeletons, machinery, scrap yards and through travel. He sees his artwork as a melding of idea and action, of inspiration and impulse. "I approach claywork as the creation, pulling form out of inchoate matter, as an ongoing experiment in seeking new direction through variation," Gordon said. "The physicality of clay, along with its remarkable ability to freeze action and respond to physical impact or retain any fleeting impression, immediately and permanently captured my interest."

From 1980 to 1983, Gordon taught at Altos de Chavón in La Romana, Dominican Republic, creating a vocational workshop for local youth. He later traveled throughout the Mediterranean observing and documenting traditional pottery and brickmaking.  "Knowing these traditional clay artisans has contributed to my education," Gordon added. "I continue to make ceramic vessels to celebrate and maintain a connection to traditional potters worldwide."

In contrast to the vessels, Gordon's installations in the Lula E. Rackley Gallery refer to architecture and industrialization. For Gordon, these works represent fragments, combined geometries, and biomorphic musings. "Geometry, being a form of math, has always served as a universal language for sculpture," shared Gerard Lange, director of exhibitions at Barton. "Gordon's use of these pure forms has placed the work in a global context, where many interpretations can be drawn by evaluating the sculptures from different cultural points of view. Influence of his time spent abroad is clearly evident in Gordon's complex manipulation and integration of these otherwise simple forms."

Gordon has presented over 100 lectures and workshops in 19 states and seven foreign countries. He has been recognized with numerous awards and grants and has held numerous art residencies across the nation as well as in Caracas, Venezuela; Cairo, Egypt; Madrid, Spain; Jerusalem, Israel; and La Romana, Dominican Republic.  In 1991, Gordon was a Fulbright Lecturer at the Facultad de Artes, Universidad Nacional in Obera, Argentina.

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Questions?  Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations at Barton College, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - "Oculus," the 2009 Barton College Senior Art Exhibition,  opens on Saturday evening, April 4, with a reception from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. in the Barton Art Galleries. This event is open to the public at no charge, and the community is invited to attend.  The exhibition will run until Friday, May 8.

Art works by seniors Sarah Stoia St. Martin and Cameron Basil Gooch will be on view in the Virginia Thompson Graves Gallery. Gallery talks by the artists will be held during the reception with St. Martin and Gooch, at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. respectively.

St. Martin is the daughter of Navy Chaplain Commander Peter St. Martin and Judy St. Martin, stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. She plans to graduate in May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art with a concentration in Graphic Design.

Ceramics by Sarah St. Martin

She has combined her love of photography with her creativity in graphic design to develop several unique pieces for the senior show.  Influenced by a period of residency in Japan, St. Martin has incorporated Eastern aspects throughout her works in the exhibit, including an Asian-inspired dressing screen that depicts a self-portrait as well as friends' portraits.  Another intriguing piece is a miniature book of poetry she has created to showcase various forms of typography.

St. Martin also has created a proto-type application of a letterform design project that included research in merchandising and product display.  "The letterforms have been hand painted on china as a successful proto-type for china that one might see in a store like Pier 1 or The Pottery Barn," shared J. Chris Wilson, professor of art and senior advisor.  "The design is intended to appeal to a young audience and plays with the number '8′ as a major design motif on the dinning china, making a pun of 'ate' as an implied design motif."  In addition, St. Martin has designed banners with related letterform designs that would function as merchandising elements in the commercial arena for the line and could also function as table runners for a comprehensive design statement in the home.

St. Martin eventually hopes to earn a teaching certificate, but looks forward to working in the field of art and design upon graduation.

Cameron Basil Gooch is the son of Deborah and Basil Gooch of Elon.  He also is scheduled to graduate in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art with a concentration in Graphic Design and Photography.  His works in the exhibition will feature designs for recreational equipment including skateboards, snowboards, snow skis, and a skim board that are intended to appeal to a young, grunge-style consumer. Gooch's clothing designs also showcase his comprehensive approach to a product design campaign.  His inspiration, fueled by travels to New York City and other metropolitan areas, provides a strong urban theme for his art.

Designs by Cameron Gooch

"Cameron's work has greatly matured, and his urban theme with a young target audience is focused and successful from both a design perspective and an understanding of the need in today's economy to seek a market niche," said Wilson.  "The work is exciting and dynamic and should successfully hit its intended mark."  Photographs and design letter projects by Gooch are also included in the exhibition.

Following graduation, Gooch anticipates a career in commercial design and looks forward to developing his own signature product line.

For additional information about the exhibition, please contact the Barton Art Galleries at 252-39-6477 or J. Chris Wilson at 252-399-6476.  The Barton Art Galleries are located in Case Art Building on the Barton College campus. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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Questions? Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.

WILSON, N.C. - The hauntingly beautiful musical, "Violet," based upon "The Ugliest Pilgrim," short story by N.C. native Doris Betts, with music by Jeanine Tesori and libretto by Brian Crawley, will open on the Barton stage Thursday, March 12, at 8 p.m. in Howard Chapel.

"We join Violet, a young woman from the mountains of North Carolina, on her journey of self-discovery and personal redemption," shared Adam Twiss, assistant professor of theatre and director of Theatre at Barton.  "The people she meets, from the soldiers on their way to Vietnam, to the television evangelist she seeks out to heal her of a disfiguring scar, weave a colorful and vital tapestry of life, fulfilled destiny, progress and, ultimately, peace."

The production, which runs through March 15 in Howard Chapel, has evening shows Thursday - Saturday at 8 p.m. and a matinee at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. respectively. Tickets will be sold at the door: adult admission is $8 and student admission is $5.  To reserve tickets in advance, please call Carol Sabella at 252-399-6483.

The "Violet" company, directed by Twiss, includes native N.C. actors Melvin Tunstall III and Nina Gunnel, courtesy of K.D. Kennedy and family.  And, Raleigh lighting and scenic designer Chris Bernier returns for Barton's spring production. Local and student talent include: Jonathan Butler, Joe Jones, Jane Kolunie, Rodney Lippard, Jeremy Lowe, Wesley Pridgen, Krysti Reuter, Rose Stenbuck, and Hollie Woodruff.  The choir includes Joe Amara, Janeka Battle, Matt Bissette, Rhea Booth, Miranda Carter, Charlie Healy, TJ Hinnant, Bethany Horner, Emily Jamieson, Natalie Mattox, Sam Pounds, Krysti Reuter, Chris Rugerro, Nathanael Shelton, Jennifer Stancil, Whitley Stanley, and Lisa Ward. Musicians are Ted Brna, bass; and Daniel Peterson, keyboard; Chris Ruggero, guitar; and Brindin Taylor, percussion.

The musical director is Mark Peterson and the choreographer is Trish Bradshaw. Stage manager for the production is Christopher Wallen, accompanied by assistant stage manager Alisha Rhinesmith.  Assistant director is Whitley Stanley, sound is by Phil Valera, sound and lighting technicians are Matt Smith and James Duncan, and costumes are by Tammie Knoll.

"I am especially proud of the many individuals who have contributed to this production, including students, faculty, and visiting artists from varying disciplines," added Twiss.  "They love the story, they love the music but, in many ways, they simply want to be part of a very special event. As we move closer to completion of the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre, we find ourselves in the position of bidding a fond farewell to Howard Chapel, the borrowed home of Barton Theatre for several generations.

"I cannot think of a more poignant, joyful and fitting show to present as our final mainstage Chapel production," Twiss concluded.  "I hope you will join us to say goodbye… and we can all look forward to the grand opening of our new theatre in September!"

For additional information about the Barton theatre program, please contact Adam Twiss at 252-399-6484 or email: ajtwiss@barton.edu.

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Questions?  Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.