PERFORMING
arts ■ The US Conservatory held its annual concert in the Saratoga gym on Sat., Feb. 1 and “made beautiful music together for over two hours to a packed house of 250 thrilled audience members,” said Laura Lang-Ree, performing arts director. It was the first year the event was held in the gym. It included general seating and café table seating, complete with refreshments provided by a talented group of parents. The space was transformed, thanks to Technical Director Brian Larsen, into an intimate and elegant venue creating a perfect background for the impressive showcase of talent by Orchestra, Jazz Band, String Ensemble, Guys Gig, Show Choir, Cantilena, Bel Canto and individual instrumentalists and vocalists. Over 100 students were involved under the capable direction of teachers Robert Scannell (Orchestra, Jazz, String), Susan Nace (Guys Gig, Cantilena) and Cathy Snider (Bel Canto, Show Choir). “Please give a large round of applause to the organizer of the event, Cathy Snider, for creating everything from the mood to managing all of the logistics—it was quite a feat,” added Lang-Ree. We couldn’t agree more. Many thanks to the performing arts department and to our talented students for providing us with an evening to remember! ■ The US spring musical, Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” will be performed Fri. and Sat., April 18 & 19, at 8 p.m. in the STG Gym.
All Conservatory photos by Chris Daren
The Music Theatre International describes this year’s musical: “An ambivalent Cinderella? A bloodthirsty Little Red Riding Hood? A Prince Charming with a roving eye? A witch...who raps? They’re all among the cockeyed characters in James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s fractured fairy tale. When a baker and his wife learn they’ve been cursed with childlessness by the
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witch next door, they embark on a quest for the special objects required to break the spell, swindling, lying to and stealing from Cinderella, Little Red, Rapunzel and Jack (the one who climbed the beanstalk). Everyone’s wish is granted at the end of Act One, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later, with disastrous results. What begins as a lively irreverent fantasy in the style of “The Princess Bride” becomes a moving lesson about community responsibility and the stories we tell our children.” Performing Arts Dept. Chair, Laura Lang-Ree, reported that tryouts were recently held for the show, with close to 60 students turning out for 23 parts. She sends a huge kudos to all who tried out and congratulations to these cast members who are currently rehearsing for the show: (in alphabetical order) Neil Bhalerao, Casey Blair, Brendan Boland, Kevin Busch, Peter Combs, Gabrielle DeMers, Meghana Dhar, Genna Erlickman, Whitney Graves, Lauren Gutstein, Lauren Harries, Rick Hayashi, Maheen Kaleem, Daphne Karpel, Jackie Laine, Kathryn Lee, Rachel Newman, Vivian Nguyen, Lisa Schwebke, Mike Vu, Sean Weinstock, Kimberly Wong and Dav Yendler. Mark your calendars to attend this fabulous Sondheim classic! Ticket prices are $5 for students and seniors, and $10 for adults. The show is not appropriate for small children. To purchase tickets contact bobb@harker.org or call 408.345.9226. Another Dinner Theatre event will be hosted this year at 6 p.m. before the Sat., April 19 performance. Watch for more details!
NEW this year: FREE sneak preview night for Gr. 5-8 students and their parents who are interested in Harker’s US Performing Arts Program. Wed., April 16 5 p.m., STG Gym Pizza Dinner (optional) $2 per person Post-show Q & A Session with the Cast Reserve preview tickets through the Logo Store or with Rhonda Mann at the Bucknall front desk.