Friends of Niagara University Theater For those who love and support theater at Niagara University Fall/Winter 2007 NU Honors Four Entertainment Legends Actor David Actors’ Guild Award, all for his Drama Desk Award. Monk has also Hyde Pierce, best performances on “Frasier.” appeared on regional stages across known for his role Nominated for America and has a wide number of as Niles Crane on four Tony Awards, films to her credit. the television Scott Ellis has Winner of the series “Frasier,” received the Tony Award and was among four Outer Critics the Drama Desk theater Circle Award and Award, Karen personalities who the Drama Desk Ziemba began David Hyde Pierce were honored by Award several her career as a Niagara University at a special times, as well as dancer, when as a convocation on Monday, Nov. 19. The Scott Ellis the prestigious young girl she convocation, a celebration of excellence Olivier Award in London. Besides joined the Ohio in theater, also honored actors Debra numerous New York city credits, he Ballet. Her Karen Ziemba Monk and Karen Ziemba and director has also directed in regional theater extraordinary voice, perhaps a legacy Scott Ellis. and for television. Ellis began his from her grandmother who sang for Citing their outstanding careers career as a performer, appearing in the New York City Opera, brought and the excellence each has achieved, several Broadway musical comedies. her to the musical theater. Her role the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., He served for several years as the in the musical “Contact,” which was president of the university, said, “The associate director of the Roundabout created for her, won her the triple university itself is honored to have such Theatre Company in New York City. crown of Tony Award, Drama Desk exemplary persons on our campus, Also a Tony Award and Outer Critics Circle people to whom our students, espe- Award and prime- Award. Ziemba has performed in cially our theater students, can look for time Emmy numerous musicals for the New York example. Each of the honorees has winner, Debra City Opera as well as an extensive list made a significant impact on American Monk has of regional theater, film and theater, television and film, and we are appeared in 13 television productions. delighted to honor that contribution.” Broadway “Niagara University’s long tradition While best known for his television productions, of theater productions, and its theater role, David Hyde Pierce began his garnering Tony program makes it fitting that we performing life on the stage. His Award nomin- Debra Monk bring such outstanding professionals to most recent success is as the sleuth in ations for several of them. Her the campus,” said Brother Augustine Broadway’s musical comedy, television work is equally extensive, Towey, C.M., director emeritus of “Curtains,” a performance which won the most recent of which includes the NU Theater. He added that it him this year’s Tony Award. His “Grey’s Anatomy.” Her appearance as was fitting that the university pay other Broadway appearances include Katie Sipowicz on the popular tribute to outstanding theater people “Spamalot,” “The Heidi Chronicles,” “NYPD Blues” won her an Emmy as it launches its campaign to upgrade and “Beyond Therapy.” He has Award. Monk also co-authored its theater facilities. A campaign is appeared extensively in off-Broadway “Pump Boys and Dinettes,” for currently under way to renovate the and regional theater. Besides the Tony which she won a Tony Award present Leary Theater into a state-of- Award, Pierce has won four prime- nomination, and “Oil City the-art facility by adding a lobby and time Emmy Awards and a Screen Symphony,” for which she won a other features that will make it more audience-friendly. What’s New at NU: By the editor-in-chief, Gregory Fletcher What an exciting Productions. Or if you happen to be et cetera. It’s a means for easy, fast time to begin a new around Fort Myers, Fla., in January, communication that can also be job at NU Theater. then look for Brendan as Father archived online. To be a part of the So far, at this Flynn in Florida Repertory Theatre’s 21st century, please give your okay for writing, about production of “Doubt.” being listed as a group member by $800,000 has been raised for the Currently, most of our communi- either sending me an e-mail or by renovation of the Leary Theater. cation between the Friends of NU going to the group’s home page: Tentatively reporting without Theater is by way of snail-mail. One http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ anything in writing, the construction common practice between groups friendsofNUT. Only current, paid will begin in the summer of 2009. As and organizations today is to create members of Friends of NU Theater far away as that may feel, Brother an online site with Yahoo. Therefore, will have access to the online group Augustine calms us with the in hopes to improve communication and its benefits. reminder that he’s been waiting 45 opportunities, I have created a private Let me end my first “What’s New years for this renovation — so we can Yahoo Group called friendsofNUT. at NU” by thanking you, and if I wait one more year. It’s a site where all of its members may include and speak for our new Since my start date of July 2, I can send and receive e-mails from all associate director, Doug Zschiegner, jumped into coordinating our new participating members as easily as for making us both feel so welcomed theater Web site and, even though with a click of a button. We can also and supported. We are thrilled to be putting together the content and share photos, event postings, calendars, here with all of you. photos has been a fun, fortuitous way for me to get to know our theater program, I am happy and relieved to report that the new Web site is up and running. (Please visit www.niagara.edu/theater.) Not only is the site our new calling card for recruiting future students, but the site also updates our alumni bios and e-mail addresses on a more frequent Looking for News About basis than the newsletter. Currently, NU Theater Alumni? however, we are missing many alumni bios, so please help us spread It’s easy to stay in touch with alumni through our updated the word to send in those bios. By Niagara University Theater Web site. the way, there is also a page for the Visit us at www.niagara.edu/theater and click on “NU Friends of NU Theater. If you have Family” and “Alumni” to read all about your friends. any suggestions or edits regarding the If your bio is not yet listed, we’d love to add you to this Web site, please do not hesitate to let ever-growing chorus line of theater graduates! me know: [email protected]. Please e-mail your updated bio to Gregory Fletcher, Director I am very happy to report that my of Niagara University Theater, at [email protected]. predecessor, Brendan Powers, has And be sure to let us know if it’s okay to publish your e-mail been living the actor’s life and address so fellow alumni can get in touch. auditioning for everything between here and Boston and New York City. Thanks so much. We hope to hear from you soon! If you missed Brendan in Buffalo’s Western New York premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s “MASS,” then you’ll be able to catch him in April in Eric Bogosian’s “Humpty Dumpty” at Road Less Traveled 2 Friends of Niagara University Theater Three Couples to Chair 23rd Annual Gala Kenneth and Mary Tirohn of Cheektowaga, N.Y., and Ryan and Tara Erwin of Tonawanda, N.Y., will serve as co-chairs of the 23rd Annual Friends of Niagara University Theater Gala. The event will be held on campus on Saturday, April 26, 2008. For the second year in a row, auction chairs are William and Pamela LeCuyer Co-chairs of The Friends of Niagara University William and Pamela LeCuyer will serve as the gala’s of Getzville, N.Y. Their daughter, Lisa, Theater’s 23rd Annual Gala include, from left: Ryan auction co-chairs for the second year in a row. Here, is a senior in NU’s theater studies and Tara Erwin and Mary and Kenneth Tirohn. they pose with their daughter, Lisa LeCuyer, ’07, at last spring’s gala. program. The gala will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2008, and will include a matinee of the musical “Cabaret,” This year’s Gala will begin with a a cocktail hour, dinner, and silent and live auction. 4 p.m. matinee of the hit Kander and Ebb musical, “Cabaret,” at the Permaquik Branded Materials and his Ryan Erwin added, “NU Theater Leary Theater on NU’s campus. Guests wife, Pamela, is a travel consultant has long had the reputation of pro- will then proceed to the Castellani specialist for the Automobile Club of ducing stellar shows featuring highly Art Museum on campus for a cocktail Western and Central New York. talented cast members and crew. I’m hour, silent auction, elegant dinner, Tirohn noted that he and Erwin honored to have the opportunity to live auction and a visit from the cast and their wives are delighted to serve help bring this top-notch entertain- and crew of “Cabaret.” Auction items as Gala 2008 chairs. “There are several ment to the Western New York include travel packages, paintings, reasons to stand in support of Niagara community through the advancement entertainment and sports memorabilia, University and its terrific theater of the university’s theater department.” gift baskets, gift certificates and more.