Friends of Niagara University Theater For those who love and support theater at Niagara University Spring/Summer 2008 For the second year in a row, gala auction chairs What Good Is Sitting Alone in Your Room? William LeCuyer, center, and Pamela Come to the Gala and Auction! LeCuyer, right, are By Ann Heuer, ’78 spearheading the collection of gift items $1,500. Here’s a sneak preview of from Poster Art of Elmwood Ave., for the Friends of just a few of the many items that will Buffalo. Niagara University Theater’s 23rd Annual be available at this year’s gala auction. Physical Fitness – Two fitness Gala and Auction. Collectibles – Gregory Fletcher, memberships from Planet Fitness, Posing with the LeCuyers is Adair Saviola, ’73, director of NU Theater, is close Williamsville, N.Y.; and a variety of president of the Friends of Niagara University friends with the celebrated comedy sporting good certificates. Theater. The three Friends display just a few of the gift baskets and prints that have been donated for the event. team Stiller and Meara. He has Travel Package – A five-course donated a number of fun collectibles dinner for two representing their work and the work and a luxurious An exciting array of goods and of their son, comedian Ben Stiller. The two-night stay certificates from local businesses, treasure trove includes autographed in one of the entertainment legends, friends and a collector edition books, autographed apartment suites posh Chicago hotel will highlight the theater, film and television scripts at The James 23rd Annual Friends of Niagara (e.g., Anne Meara’s play “After-Play,” Hotel of Chicago University Theater Gala and Auction “A Night at the Museum,” “The (pictured right). this spring. King of Queens” and “Seinfeld”) and This package is Gala co-chairs Kenneth and Mary even a “Latke Larry Doll,” with the valued at $1,600! The James Hotel is Tirohn of Cheektowaga, N.Y., and voice of Jerry Stiller — the world’s located at 55 West Ontario St., Ryan and Tara Erwin of Tonawanda, only talking action Chanukah gift. Chicago, just minutes away from N.Y., have planned a fun-filled The doll is signed by Jerry Stiller. Michigan Avenue’s “Magnificent evening along with auction chairs Also, NU alumnus Bob Renna, ’72, Mile,” a shopping and dining William and Pamela LeCuyer of an assistant prop master, on-set dresser, hotspot, and such cultural attractions Getzville, N.Y. The event will be buyer and draper who lives and works as Millennium Park, Chicago’s held on campus on Saturday, April 26. in California, donated several feature Historic Water Tower, The Museum This year’s gala will begin with a 4 film and TV scripts including “The of Contemporary Art, Navy Pier, and p.m. matinee of the hit Kander and Fallen Woman” episode of NBC The Smith Museum of Stained Glass, Ebb musical, “Cabaret,” at the Leary Universal’s “Life,” by Rand Ravich, to name a few. Theater on NU’s campus. Guests NBC Studios, 2007. Travel Accessories – Luggage from will then proceed to the Castellani Dining – Great restaurant AAA of Williamsville, N.Y. Art Museum for a cocktail hour, certificates from a variety of For tickets or information about silent auction, dinner, live auction restaurants located in Erie and the gala, please contact Peg Lacki at and a visit from the cast and crew of Niagara Counties. (716) 286-8483 or Ann Heuer at “Cabaret.” Auction items include a Entertainment – A walk-on role in (716) 286-8480. The auction travel package, paintings, posters, next spring’s Niagara University committee welcomes donations of entertainment and sports Theater gala musical, Blockbuster collectibles, artwork, antiques, gift memorabilia, gift baskets, gift gift certificates and more! baskets or gift certificates valued at certificates and more. Home and Office Décor – A rug $50 or more. Please contact Lacki or Anyone can bid on the silent and from Markarian Carpets; artwork Heuer if you would like to donate an live auction items, which range in from Calvins Furniture & Leather item to the gala. value from $50 to more than Gallery, Williamsville, N.Y.; artwork What’s New at NU: By the editor-in-chief, Gregory Fletcher My family and very meaningful for all of us here at dues of $25 a year): Eligible for friends are surprised NU to have Julie’s name perpetually anyone in their 20s — although to hear how much I in the department as a vibrant, whenever your budget allows for it, am enjoying the loving, supportive role model for our we hope that you will choose a winter here in current and future students. higher membership when possible. Niagara Falls. Each season has been Speaking of another beloved As president of Friends Adair so very different; I love such variety. member of Niagara University Saviola, ’73, explains: “The Friends It is this variety that I hope to incor- Theater, a scholarship fund has also were established to be a support porate into our very own upcoming been established in Tim Ward’s organization, devoted to helping and theater season, which will be publicly memory. The former associate enhancing our beloved theater depart- announced during our final produc- director and professor of theater at ment. Only with ongoing philan- tion of “Cabaret.” Niagara, Tim passed away in 2006. thropy and increasing membership As of this writing, over one and a His son, Zak Ward, ’04, created the will we be able to continue assisting half million dollars have been raised following Web site that exhibits this program that absolutely deserves for the upcoming renovation of the many photos of Tim as well as music our efforts and attention.” Leary Theater, which is scheduled for samples of a few rare performances. As incentives for membership, we a major face-lift in a year from June. Please visit www.myspace.com/ offer three new perks: At a recent meeting with the architects, whatwouldtimwarddo. 1) Theater ticket discounts: We are a computer drawing of the intimate If you would like to contribute to now offering Friends the same discount proscenium theater was generated. either scholarship fund, please mail that NU faculty, staff and senior The new stage will be less wide than your check (made out to the Julie citizens receive. our current stage but much deeper, Burdick Scholarship Fund or the 2) Friends bring friends: entitles a and the dozen rows that make up the Timothy Ward Scholarship Fund) to Friend to bring a guest for 50 150 seats, raking up to a second-level Peg Lacki, P.O. Box 1913, Niagara percent off the general admission tech booth, promises a perfect view University, NY 14109-1913. ticket price — only one guest discount from every seat, not to mention enough per performance. room for legs and arms. Along with a Certainly, it is not the level 3) Complimentary NU Arts new air conditioning system, we will of membership you pledge calendar: consisting of production actually be able to control the temper- but rather the annual act photos, theater season schedule, class ature. And there will be an easily of support to which schedule, Castellani Art Museum accessible lobby with elevator access I am appealing. exhibits, and Live Music events to the top seats. I’ve been here only a (available each summer). mere nine months and I am ecstatic Recently, it has come to my In my youth, I distinctly remember with anticipation — I can only attention that many of you who are the TV commercial for the Hair Club imagine how the rest of you must feel. reading this “Friends of Niagara for Men. (Maybe it was a sign — see I am also happy to report that University Theater Newsletter” are photo.) The president for the Hair currently $30,000 has been raised in not actually Friends. You may be Club for Men would make his Julie Burdick’s name, the annual “friends” but not Friends with a membership plug, so to speak, and interest of which will soon become capital F. Certainly, it is not the level then end by taking off his hairpiece the Julie Burdick Scholarship Fund. of membership you pledge but rather and stating, “I am not just the For those of you who did not know the annual act of support to which I President of Hair Club for Men, I am Julie, she was a graduate from the am appealing. To prove it, we are also a client.” As I look at our news- Class of 2003 who suddenly passed creating two new levels of member- letter going to print and gaze upon away in January 2007 at the young ship as well as perks: the subheading, which reads: “For age of 25. When I hear people speak 1) “Production Assistant — First those who love and support Niagara of Julie, it becomes quickly apparent Year Graduate”: Entitles current University Theater,” let me end by how special she was, not only because theater graduates to a year of saying: “I am not just the director of of her star-making talent but because complimentary membership. Niagara University Theater, I am also of her heart of gold. It is, therefore, 2) “Rising Star” (with membership a Friend.” 2 Friends of Niagara University Theater NU Students Impress Producers at UPTA Auditions By Ann Heuer, ’78 The lines of people waiting to Kevin Craig, ’08, also attended chair of NU’s department of theater audition at the United Professional this year’s UPTAs and accepted an and fine arts. “I have no doubt Theatre Auditions in Memphis this offer for a paid internship with Mill they’re all going to come out with winter weren’t as long as those for Mountain Theater Co.