DECEMBER 2009 – News of a very special lab... Remembering SEE ROCK CITY…. The annual dance workshop… Plans for next semester….

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

As we think of friends and family at this time of year, and celebrate beautiful memories, I’m reminded again of the wonderful friendships that have developed over the last 26 years.  I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am for the opportunity to have shared so many extraordinary experiences with such special people.  What a gift this has been!  And what better time for being in touch than in a season in which we celebrate togetherness.  Writing this column is meaningful to me at any time of year, but I’m especially pleased this month to take a moment to wish all of you a marvelous holiday season and great happiness in the new year. 

A TOAST TO SEE ROCK CITY…..

Not only was SEE ROCK CITY a new musical, which makes it special enough, but it also turned into a major ‘event’ because of the two independent casts (see last month’s column for the details).  In fact, it was possible within the 2-show Saturday and Sunday schedule to see the two casts in one day, and a number of people took advantage of this unique opportunity.  Seeing the same show interpreted in two different ways was an unusual experience, especially with each so thoroughly and beautifully realized.  Perhaps this was the most memorable for the actors themselves, who saw the other cast on the final Sunday. 

Brad Alexander (music) and Adam Mathias (book and lyrics) were in town for the performances and spent considerable time interacting with the cast members.  We had two talk-backs with the writers and audience members, so that each cast could participate. 

Several days after the show closed, both casts reassembled with the 6-piece band in the recording studio in the Duderstadt Center for an all-day session to make a cast album.  Once the recording is edited, I hope that we can make it available so that all of you can hear this marvelous score performed by these sensational students.

A final word on the show:  I want to publicly thank Rachel Hoffman for alerting me to this script.  She saw a workshop of the show last June in New York, and contacted me afterwards, suggesting it as a suitable choice for our studio musical.  Interestingly, two UM graduates were in this workshop, Stanley Bahorek and Jonathan Hammond.  I should mention that I’m always on the lookout for new scripts, and if any of you discover one that you think would be good for us here at Michigan, be sure to let me know.  Thanks to donors David and Joan Marshall, we have funding for bringing the writers of new musicals to campus to work with the students.

For pictures of SEE ROCK CITY…., please click here. 

And in case you missed the Playbill article about the production, click here. 

A SPECTACULAR LAB…..

In mid-December, composer Alan Menken was a guest speaker in our Monday lab.  In addition to sharing many anecdotes about his career, Mr. Menkin played highlights of his career in a 20-minute medley, which was electrifying, moving, and astonishing (for its breadth), all at once.  An unforgettable performance capped the end of the lab, when junior Will Burton sang “Proud of Your Boy,” accompanied at the piano by Mr. Menken.  Not a dry eye in the room afterwards!

That evening Linda Goodrich hosted our annual dance lab, featuring student choreography in a variety of dance pieces.  As always, it was a wild, eclectic mix, ranging from hip hop to Gilbert and Sullivan, leaving everyone exhilarated as well as proud of the level of accomplishment. 

ALL THE NEWS THAT’S FIT TO PRINT…..

For news about the graduates, in addition to the postings on this website, visit the umich.edu website by clicking here. 

If you have information that isn’t posted, contact Marisa Meyer or me.  Because this is a School of Music website, it’s not updated daily, but if you send us something, I guarantee that we’ll get it listed before long.

THE VIEW ON THE HORIZON…..

As soon as the students return in January, we’ll dive into auditions for the Power Center musical RAGTIME (directed by Mark Madama, with music direction by Cynthia Westphal) and ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL (our studio play directed by Malcolm Tulip).  We also start daily rehearsals for the senior showcase, prepare for the annual seniors’ concert at Kerrytown (“Lost In Ann Arbor”), rehearse for the Collage Concert, and gear up for a long list of guests.  And of course, summer stock auditions!  I’ll give details of all of these in upcoming columns. 

A REMINDER WHICH IS WORTH REPEATING

As this column and this website gain momentum, it’s important to me to thank Marisa Meyer again.  She has diligently championed this marvelous site to fruition.  We’re striving to make this of value to all of the graduates.  If you have news or suggestions, don’t hesitate to contact her: info@uofmmt.com

As we celebrate the holidays and prepare for a New Decade, I send best wishes to all of you ---