Friends of Niagara University Theatre For those who love theatre at Niagara University Summer 2003 Off-Broadway Hit Plays This Summer at the Church The trials, tribulations and triumphs form the cast of the production: This of modern-day romance are delight- Heather Adair of Albany, N.Y.; performance fully explored in “I Love You, You’re Brendan Powers, ’96, of Buffalo, is made Perfect, Now Change,” an off-Broad- N.Y.; Cristina Sass of Kingston, possible way hit that will be on stage at Niagara N.Y.; and Zakary Ward of Niagara with University Theatre-at-the-Church, 415 Falls, N.Y. Powers is an adjunct funds Plain St., Lewiston, N.Y., from July 31 acting and English professor at NU, from the through Aug. 24. as well as interim director of Niagara Decentrali- VARIETY called the show “a University Theatre. Technical director zation Paul Todaro witty, impeccably performed musical Jack Wrobel will provide sets for the Program, revue about romance.” Act One production, while lighting designer a regrant program of the New York features a joyful, satiric look at being Tim Wrobel is in charge of lighting. State Council on the Arts, single in today’s world, and Act Two NU alumna Erin Chase will serve as administered by the Niagara Arts turns its attention to married life. stage manager, and NU senior Council Inc. “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Nicholas Santasier will serve as Tickets for the production are $15 Change” features script and lyrics by assistant stage manager/costumer. each and can be purchased by calling Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Peg Lacki in NU’s theater depart- Roberts. The play will be directed by Change” is on stage at 8 p.m. from ment at 716-286-8483, or by Paul Todaro, ’87, a lecturer of theater July 31-Aug. 2, Aug. 7-9, 14-16, stopping by the Lewiston Visitor’s and fine arts at Niagara University. and 21-23. Matinees will be Center, 476 Center St., Lewiston, Three NU theater studies students presented at 2 p.m. on Aug. 3, 10, Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and one university faculty member 17 and 24. and on Fridays from 9-11:30 a.m. Friends’ Gala Will Include a Journey “Into the Woods” The night of Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, will see the Friends of Niagara University attend a gala auction and reception at the Castellani Museum and then move over to the Leary Theatre for NU Theatre’s production of Sondheim’s musical, “Into the Woods.” The announcement was made by the chairs of this year’s gala, John and Karen Sanderson and Jim and Sharon Burdick. Auction chairs Mike and Maria Arena also wished to remind our friends and alumni that they are now earnestly looking for auction prizes and if our readers would like to make a donation of items or gift certificates, prizes should be sent to The Friends’ Gala, c/o The Theatre, Niagara University, N.Y. 14109. For further information, either about auction gifts or tickets to the gala evening, call Peg Lacki at 716-286-8483. Seats are limited to 150 and last year’s gala sold out. Patrons are urged to make reservations early. Murder They Wrote stars gather to pay their respects to the “We’re not delivering a deep message, recently deceased Woody Allen. The but the show is funny, smart and it’s a By Ann Rooney Heuer stars irreverently share jokes, sing blast,” he said. “We have a fun time Writer-director Woody Allen once Broadway tunes and promote their doing it, and we plan on pushing the wrote, “It’s not that I’m afraid to die, I careers, providing dead-on project so that we can audition it for just don’t want to be there when it impersonations of Billy Crystal, producers and backers.” happens.” While Allen’s deadpan Christopher Walken, Diane Keaton, Brother Augustine Towey, C.M., humor is sometimes bawdy, always Alan Alda, John Cusack, Ed Burns, director of Niagara University Theatre, quirky and often outrageous, he’s a Conan O’Brien, Leonardo DiCaprio is also a fan of the play. “It’s great fun,” master at entertaining audiences and Spike Lee. As the fictional he said, “and it’s wonderful to see our around the world with an impressive memorial service proceeds, a detective alumni working with other New York body of work that includes films, books arrives to inform the mourners that he City actors.” and plays. For a number of talented knows that one of them murdered On her role as Diane Keaton, alumni of Niagara University, Allen, Woody Allen. “Everyone in this room Dugan says, “This project has been a 67, is not only a comic legend, he is had a motive,” he observes. sheer joy from the start. I have never, one of several celebrities who has The NU connection to “Who Killed ever, laughed so hard during rehearsals. inspired their comedy whodunit, Woody Allen?” is strong. The show I had never worked with any of these “Who Killed Woody Allen?” benefits from the talents of several NU NU fellas. They are all wonderful, The play is a popular off-Broadway theater alumni, including playwright talented individuals whom I cherish production which was written during Brendan Connor, ’94; cast members and look forward to working with 2001 and 2002 by Dan Callahan, Tom Jill Ann Dugan, ’91 (Diane Keaton); again.” She added that “industry Dunn, and NU alumnus Brendan Shaun Sheley, ’96 (a very special response has been enormous” since Connor, ’94. The three longtime guest); and Christopher Wisner, ’97 people from Spike Lee’s film company, friends share a passion for Woody (Billy Crystal), along with backstage “Saturday Night Live” and “The Allen’s work and the stage. professionals Aron Deyo (tech Conan O’Brien Show” have seen it. “Who Killed Woody Allen?” was director), and Dennis Keefe, ’99 Like the genre it imitates, the future first produced off-Broadway by the (sound design). The six alumni are of “Who Killed Woody Allen?” is a Empty Stage Theatre Company/Gin & either old or new friends, and several mystery. “It’s an honor to be a part of Tonic Productions in November 2002. have worked together on other off- this production and I think everyone It had a second run in March 2003. Broadway productions. involved in it would love to see this The theater company was founded by Wisner said, “Woody Allen continue,” said Keefe. “I know there’s a Niagara alumni Christopher Wisner, respectfully declined our invitation to lot involved in trying to keep the show Brendan Connor and Aron Deyo, come see our production, but he running, but ultimately, with the way along with their colleague Tom Dunn. wishes us no ill will.” Reportedly, we’ve been selling, I would expect that According to cast member Allen’s longtime manager Jack Rollins we are at least able to run the show for Christopher Wisner, ’97, the show has has seen the show and thoroughly a third time.” enjoyed it. received outstanding reviews since its Several NU alumni are key players on first run. “To get the New York Daily Interestingly, the authors of “Who stage and behind-the-scenes in the off- News there was a testament to what a Killed Woody Allen?” created the Broadway production of “Who Killed great project it is,” he said, noting that show only after they were denied Woody Allen?” From left, Christopher this zany comedy has also been praised permission to stage one of Woody Wisner, Jill Ann Dugan & Dennis Keefe. by the BBC News and several other Allen’s productions, “Death,” when publications and theater industry Allen’s lawyer informed them that Web sites. rights to the play would not be Described by the New York Daily renewed. It was only a few weeks News as “a raucous, silly and until “Death” was scheduled to open consistently hilarious show biz and the trio would have lost their sendup,” and by On/Off Magazine as theater rental investment if they “a hilarious, dark satire of our celebrity hadn’t come up with another show. obsessed culture,” the play is part Wisner said “Who Killed Woody murder mystery and part award Allen?” has played to many packed ceremony. It takes place at a funeral houses and at least 20 to 30 NU home, where a number of Hollywood alumni have seen the production. 2 Friends of Niagara University Theatre Alumni he is touring with a production of Carmen Ruby Floyd, ’00, opened “Annie” which stars John Schuck and this summer on Broadway in “Avenue News . Marcia Lewis Brown. Q” at the Golden Theatre. Previously, Dave Avery, ’99, has appeared in she appeared in a musical tribute to several regional commercials, including Hollywood, “Hollywood to Jill Ann Dugan, ’91, appears in those for HSBC, Lake Shore Savings Barbados,” for the International Gold her new one-woman show, “Exit and Loan and Fischer Price. Cup Race Horse Festival, as well as in a showcase featuring the songs of 57A: Turn Here for the Eden Corn Kevin McIntyre, ’00, performs on Horne, Simone and Holiday at the Festival,” at Danny’s Skylight Room board the Royal Caribbean Line as Tribeca Theatre in New York. and The Duplex. It is billed as an one of their Kruise Komix. evening of “a-maize-ing music and Melissa Bush, ’03, is assistant Justin Dimieri, ’03, has performed corn-y stories.” director of the NU repertory theater with Buffalo’s TOY Company in the group.