Friends of Niagara University Theatre For those who love theatre at Niagara University Spring 2005 Broadway Luminary Lights Friends’ 20th Annual Gala One of Broadway’s brightest talents, exciting evening as we support the with three composer and Tony-Award winner Niagara University Theatre program major John Kander, will be the guest of honor and its students.” productions: at the 20th Annual Friends’ Gala to be Guest of honor John Kander has the held on Saturday, April 30, at the written Broadway scores for: “A Family Encores Castellani Art Museum on Niagara Affair” (1962); “Never Too Late” production University’s campus. (1962); “Flora, the Red Menace” of The gala will include a silent auction (1965); “Cabaret” (1966); “The “Chicago”; featuring a variety of items, an open bar Happy Time” (1968); “Zorba” (1968); the preceding an elegant dinner, and “70, Girls, 70” (1971); “Zorba” Donmar Niagara University Theatre (London, 1973); “Chicago” (1975); (from performance of “Flora, the Red “The Act” (1977); “And The World London) John Kander Menace,” with music by John Kander Goes Round — The Kander and Ebb production of “Cabaret”; and “Steel and lyrics by the late Fred Ebb. The Musical” (1991); “Kiss of the Spider Pier,” which Niagara University charming, bittersweet musical is based Woman” (1993); and “Steel Pier” Theatre produced in 1999. His work, on the novel “Love is Just Around the (1997). Television work includes music “The Visit,” premiered in Chicago in Corner” by Lester Atwell. The musical for “Liza with a Z” (1974); “Ole Blue 2001. He is also the recipient of The underwent a major revival in New York Eyes is Back” (Frank Sinatra); Kennedy Center Honors. City in 1987. In its original “Baryshnikov on Broadway;” “An Early For tickets and information about incarnation, the show brought Liza Frost”; and “Liza in London.” Film the gala, contact Peg Lacki in the Minelli to stardom. scores include: “Something for department of theater and fine arts at The gala begins at 5 p.m. at the Everyone”; “Funny Lady”; “Lucky 716-286-8483. Castellani Art Museum, and patrons Lady”; “New York, New York”; will attend the 8 p.m. performance “Kramer vs. Kramer”; “Norman of the musical in the Leary Theatre Rockwell”; “Places in the Heart”; on the university’s campus. Tickets “French Postcards”; “Stepping Out”; Gala Items Wanted! are $125 per person. and the film of “Cabaret.” Chairpersons John and Karen He has received the Antoinette Do you have any artwork, Sanderson and auction chairpersons Perry (Tony) Award for his score for antiques large or small, unused Michael and Maria Arena are planning “Cabaret”; an Emmy Award for “Liza Christmas gifts, gift certificates, an evening that’s both elegant and fun. with a Z”; a Tony Award for “Kiss of new merchandise or like-new items Dress is “business casual.” the Spider Woman”; the New York that you wish to donate to the “We are honored to chair the 20th Drama Critics’ Award for Best Friends’ 20th Annual Gala? Niagara University Theatre Gala, the Musical for “Kiss of the Spider We’re grateful for your generosity major annual fund-raiser for the Woman”; the 1996 President’s and happy to pick up your Friends of NU Theatre,” noted the Award, Society of Stage Directors and donation(s), at your convenience. Sandersons. “The evening promises Choreographers; and he and lyricist Please contact gala auction chairs to entertain as we enjoy two of our Fred Ebb were awarded honorary Maria and Michael Arena at community’s finest cultural assets: doctoral degrees at Niagara 716-759-1108 for information or Niagara University Theatre and the University in 1994. to schedule a pick up. Thank you! Castellani Art Museum. We are The 1996-97 theatrical season saw looking forward to an elegant, Kander represented on Broadway Dr. Sharon Watkinson Honored with Niagara’s Vincentian Mission Award Dr. Sharon Watkinson, ’66, a Mission of service. Niagara University alumna and chair “Sharon has dedicated her entire of the university’s department of professional life to Niagara University theater and fine arts, was honored and to Vincentian education,” Brother with Niagara’s Vincentian Mission Augustine read. “Dedication and Award at the university’s annual competence only partly describe what Vincentian Heritage Convocation on Sharon has meant to the university,” he Jan. 25. Thomas Maroon, a 1987 added. “There is a more personal, more Pianos Needed alumnus of Niagara University, was caring dimension to her personality awarded the Caritas Medal, and the that better speaks to the manner in Do you have an upright or spinet Rev. Gregory Gay, C.M., superior which she epitomizes the values and piano that is in good condition that general of the Congregation of the ideals of St. Vincent and the university. you could donate to the department Mission, received the President’s A colleague and longtime observer of theater and fine arts at Niagara Medal at the event. perhaps described it best. ‘One University? We have a number of old The Vincentian Mission award is example of her generosity is the pianos in the department that are used annually given to an employee who selflessness with which she gives her for theater productions and voice demonstrates the values of St. Vincent time to the students. It has never lessons, but several are past their prime. de Paul. The President’s Medal is the mattered to her what time of day it If you are considering donating your university’s highest honor, while the is. Sharon is there for the student … used piano to our department, please Caritas Medal is given to a person to deal with an academic issue or per- contact Brother Augustine Towey, whose life eminently portrays the sonal matter, whether it is morning, C.M., director, at 716-286-8481 for charity of St. Vincent. afternoon or night. Sharon is always more information. During the presentation of Dr. available to students, demonstrating Watkinson’s award, Brother Augustine what might best be described as Towey, C.M., director of Niagara parental concern for their welfare.’” NU Theatre University Theatre, read a citation in Upon hearing about the award, tribute to his colleague. The citation, one of Dr. Watkinson’s colleagues Alumnus Returns written by Linus Ormsby, director of noted, “She is an ideal representative to Campus Niagara’s Office of Communications of what the university stands for and and Public Relations, illuminated what it means to be an outstanding Dr. Watkinson’s passion for teaching role-model of a teacher.” and joyfully living the Vincentian At the reception following Niagara’s annual Vincentian Heritage Convocation, Dr. Niagara University Theatre alumnus Steve Watkinson was Hasley, ’87, an actor in Los Angeles, presented congratulated by an acting seminar and helpful professional her husband, contact information for NU theater students at Andrew, and by a guest lecture on Feb. 9. Here Steve poses with her dear friend several of the department’s students. From left: Dorothy Gould, Tracy Murawski, Adrian Borden, Steve Hasley, former chair of Amanda Tech and Sarah Neffke. NU’s English department. 2 Friends of Niagara University Theatre Tara Laurie Memorial Scholarship Established at NU Tara Laurie, a senior theater studies wherever it would take her.” student from Ransomville, N.Y., “The Tara Laurie Memorial passed away suddenly in October of Scholarship is our way of keeping our 2004. A special scholarship has been daughter’s song alive and her spirit of created by her parents, Janice and Don joy and love soaring,” the couple Laurie, in her memory. noted. “It is our hope that her legacy These funds will be used each year will live on and the recipient of this to assist a Niagara University theater award will realize all of their dreams, studies student who applies to the hopes and aspirations through summer theater program at Schiller participation in Niagara University International University in London. Theatre’s study-abroad program.” “The most satisfying adventure In a report Tara had written last you can ever have is living all that fall for her theater professors, she you dream,” said Don Laurie. “Our explained that her 2004 study-abroad daughter Tara lived her dreams of trip had had a tremendous impact on becoming an actress, excelling in her her life and aspirations. “The studies, traveling the world, and fabulous theatrical experiences, the reaching out to others. This past enlightening classes and the many summer, one of Tara’s dreams came travel opportunities I took advantage During the summer of 2004, Niagara true when she studied Shakespeare at of made the trip so much more than University theater studies student Tara Laurie Schiller University in London, worthwhile,” she wrote. “I valued enjoyed her summer theater studies program at Schiller International University in London. England, and traveled to Belgium, each class, show, tour and side trip Here, she takes time out from her classes to visit Italy, Scotland, and France.” that was part of the theater course.” the Tower of London. After she passed away “Tara’s generous spirit was one of Contributions to the Tara Laurie unexpectedly in October 2004, her parents love, hope, joyful living, friendship, scholarship may be made by sending a established a memorial scholarship in her honor peace and giving,” Janice Laurie check to the Office of University to benefit her fellow Niagara University noted. “Her passion for theater, art, Advancement, Butler Building, theater studies students who will be studying singing, acting, and traveling filled Niagara University, N.Y. 14109. Please at Schiller International University. our home with excitement and joy. make payable to Niagara University We always encouraged our daughter and note on check: for the Tara Laurie to follow the song in her heart Memorial Scholarship Fund.