Friends of Niagara University Theatre For those who love and support theater at Niagara University Fall/Winter 2008 45th NU Theatre Anniversary Reunion Weekend a Hit! By Ann Heuer, ’78 For the nearly 125 NU alumni the cabaret and friends who attended Niagara evening. Relating University Theatre’s 45th Anniver- nostalgic and sary Reunion, Columbus Day weekend humorous this year was all about rediscovering memories, he old friends and hearing about the reconnected with exciting renovations on the horizon his fellow alumni at Niagara University Theatre. with such quips Alumnus Joe Perrotta, ’92, said about as, “How many of the weekend, “it was so wonderful on you were in so many levels, truly like seeing ‘Joseph and the At the reunion’s cocktail and cake reception, all the alumni enjoyed reminiscing family.” Amazing with one another and the theater’s co-founders, faculty and staff. Front row: The three-day reunion was Technicolor Tracey Kent, ’84. Back row, from left, Brother Augustine Towey, C.M.; Maryanne planned and coordinated over the Dreamcoat’ at Kelly, ’84; Dr. Sharon Watkinson; Mary Furlong, the first president of the Friends of Niagara University Theatre; Mary Beth (Drmacich) Romo, ’84; Linda Saffire, past year by co-chairs Maureen T. NU? We did it ’84; and Diane Presutti Cody, ’84. Stevens, associate professor of theater 53 times on and fine arts, and Marilyn Deighton, campus. That’s what paid for all the Theatre. Elizabeth beamed as the assistant professor of theater and fine office furniture and some of Sharon’s audience gave her a standing ovation arts, who were assisted during the outfits!” Schultz also noted, “For for her song from “Hairspray.” The event itself by a crew of theater those of us who started our careers performers were accompanied by NU studies students and by several here, we owe Sharon (Watkinson), adjunct voice professor Elenora Seib theater staff members. The theater Bro (Brother Augustine Towey, and retired NU Theatre musical reunion was part of the university’s C.M.), Tim (Tim Ward) and all the director Donald Shrimpton. The annual Alumni Reunion Weekend, faculty our thanks. And let’s be sure evening was directed by Doug coordinated by the alumni relations to preserve that back wall in the Zschiegner, associate director of staff in the Office of Institutional renovated theater. That wall has cast Niagara University Theatre, who was Advancement. signatures dating from what, 1972? assisted by several theater studies Attendees came from as far away as But I’m not that old!” students. Switzerland and France and from as The cabaret evening spotlighted A beautifully produced “slide close to Monteagle Ridge as Buffalo the talents of Maryanne Kelly, ’84, show” DVD presentation of vintage and Niagara Falls, N.Y. The weekend Alison Nusbaum, ’03, Mary Beth production photos interspersed with began with a high-energy cabaret (Drmacich) Romo, ’84, Patrick brief interviews with NU Theatre co- evening in the Leary Theatre, followed Riviere, ’88, Kim Schwenzer, ’98, founders Brother Augustine Towey, by a welcome back party in “The Michelle Shrimpton-Hidalgo, ’89, C.M, director emeritus, and Dr. Rat” sponsored by The Friends of Natalie Slipko, ’93, Tony Sperry, ’88, Sharon Watkinson, chair of the Niagara University Theatre. Michael Vargovich, ’07, and Zak department of theater and fine arts, NU alumnus Armand “Army” Ward, ’04. Special guest performer was also a highlight of the cabaret Schultz, ’81, was ideally suited for was Elizabeth Ann Clune, a member the role of master of ceremonies for of the Friends of Niagara University See Anniversary, page 3 What’s New at NU: By the editor-in-chief, Gregory Fletcher First, let me the renovation of the Leary Theatre express how much becomes a reality, it couldn’t be I enjoyed meeting better timing to welcome these so many of you at talented theater artists to our team. our recent alumni reunion weekend. Starting with this season, we have Above: An updated architectural rendering of the What a meaningful celebration of implemented a new box office system. exterior of the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre in Clet Hall. Renovation on NU’s theater is Niagara University Theatre and its 45 Tickets may now be purchased directly scheduled to begin in May of 2009. years of theater training. And what from our Web site [www.niagara.edu/ better way to celebrate than to publicly theatre]. From the internal link Below: This new architectural rendering shows the theater’s lobby which will provide easy access to the announce the renovation dates of the PRODUCTION, go to BOX OFFICE renovated theater and offices via a stairway and elevator. Leary Theatre. Construction will begin and organize your tickets for individual May 20 and as soon as the official re- and multi productions. Not only can opening date is announced, you’ll be you purchase tickets but also you can the first to know. choose your seat locations and print Best wishes to Eric Appleton, who your tickets. No longer are there high has moved onto the next chapter in ticketing fees — most are the nominal his life — Madison, Wis., to be exact. fee of only $1.50. Eric was part of our design/tech faculty Please help me spread the word that since the fall of 2005, teaching set we have lowered our ticket prices across and lighting design, stage-management the board, as well as implemented and fundamentals of production. He new discounts for Friends, alumni, designed the lights for everything seniors, NU faculty and staff, and a productions to your circle of friends, between “Gypsy” (’05) and “Our youth ticket for as little as $7. We even add potential patrons to our mailing Town” (’07) and he designed the sets have a new repeat viewing discount for list and we’ll send them season for everything between “Gypsy” (’05) returning family members of the cast brochures. Finally, join Friends of and “Cabaret” (’08). In August, Eric and crew in a particular production. NU Theatre. We offer a new lower and his partner, Rick, moved to Check your new NU Arts Calendar, priced membership of $25 for Madison where Eric began as assistant which all members of the Friends struggling artists under 30 years of professor of set design at the University have received as a small token of our age. Or you could give of yourself as of Wisconsin at Whitewater. Eric loves thanks for your continued support, Neil Casey gave in December, when being closer to his family as well as the and we look forward to seeing you in he performed the one-man play bike riding that is commonly practiced the audience as often as possible. “This Wonderful Life.” Not only did in that area. Moreover, he loves how I am very touched to hear that so all the ticket sales benefit the new green the area is — not only in color many of you have expressed a desire theater 100 percent but also Neil was but also in ecology. Happily surprised to do more for the department but able to get all the royalties waived. that his car insurance was cut in half, are limited due to the reality of Perhaps we can continue to highlight Eric laughs one beat at a time — his financial times. As much as we are other alumni performing theater trademark laugh that we all know and profoundly grateful to those of you fundraisers once or twice a year? love. Eric, thank you for all that you who donate your hard earned income, Please do not hesitate to contact me have given Niagara University Theatre let me remind the rest of you that there with any ideas or suggestions you — both on and off stage. And P.S., are many ways to give of yourself may have. thanks for the cheese catalog! without dipping into your bank Niagara University Theatre has Please help me welcome Troy account. First, help us keep our name accomplished so much during its Hourie, our new set designer and in the public eye. For all of you with first 45 years for which there is so design/tech faculty member, as well bios in theater playbills across the much to be grateful. May we as Glenn Bernardis, our new adjunct country, please mention that you are continue to prosper, grow and serve design/tech faculty member teaching a proud theater graduate of Niagara in the next 45 years. sound design. As the design/tech University. Mention NU Theatre in program continues to grow and as your Web site, recommend our 2 Friends of Niagara University Theatre Anniversary, cont. evening. The reunion itinerary also included a Saturday matinee of the dramedy “The Cripple of Inishmaan,” a cocktail and cake reception, and a Mass. The reunion’s success is testament to the enduring friendships enjoyed by those who experienced NU’s theater program in its youth. To view Department of theater and fine arts administrative Before the curtain rose on the cabaret evening, these photos from the weekend, visit assistant Brother Martin Schneider, C.M., right, alumni shared memories and laughter. Front row enjoyed catching up with Patrick Riviere, ’88, left, from left: an expectant Michele Marie Roberts www.niagara.edu/theatre and follow Steve Hasley, ’87, second from left, and Tony Sperry, (Benzin)’99, and Mindy Ferraraccio,‘98. Back row the link to “NU Family” and the ’88, third from left. from left: Karen Colville, ‘98, Kimberly “Alumni” page. Schwenzer,’98, Andrea (Campagna) Mango, ’98, and Cindy (Argona) Burnett, ‘98. Niagara University Theatre Names First Recipient of the Julie Burdick Memorial Scholarship Dr. Sharon made to Niagara University Theatre theater but also in all of his academic Watkinson, in honor of their daughter.