Liberal Arts Voices

Read the perspectives of our current students

Spring “Big Event”: “American Idiot” in Eisenhower (and more)

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Calling All Paterno Fellows and Aspirants–Seniors Through Freshmen:

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES BELOW:  READ ON–

It has become a tradition for Paterno Fellows (and their friends) to enjoy an evening’s entertainment together each spring semester.  This year it will be the Wednesday, February 29 performance of the Broadway musical “American Idiot“–and a “pre-show” mixer beforehand that features good food and the chance to sign up for some very interesting volunteer opportunities.

Here’s the details.

First, the show. For just $10 (regular price for students is about $40), you can get a ticket to “American Idiot,” and you can also buy a ticket for one or two non-Paterno Fellow friends for the same amazing price. Come to 119 Sparks to get your ticket. We have secured several dozen tickets for you, but supplies are limited. Come now to get yours.

Here’s the Center for Performing Arts description of “American Idiot”:

Direct from Broadway, the smash-hit musical AMERICAN IDIOT tells the story of three friends forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia. Featuring the hits “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Holiday,” and the blockbuster title track, AMERICAN IDIOT boldly takes the American musical where it’s never gone before. With direction by Michael Mayer, choreography by Steven Hoggett, and orchestrations and arrangements by Tom Kitt, the result is an experience Charles Isherwood of The New York Times declares “thrilling, emotionally charged, and as moving as any Broadway musical I’ve seen this year!” Note: The performance includes mature themes and language.

Second, when you get your tickets at the reduced price, you are also expected to attend the “pre-show” held from 6:30-7:15 in Eisenhower: present your ticket at the door, and you’ll be directed to the room where the pre-show will take place.

At the pre-show you’ll enjoy great desserts and snacks–and have a chance to hear about three wonderful volunteer opportunities (all of which would fulfill your service-and-leadership requirement):

  • Lauren Perrotti will invite you to volunteer to assist Sue Paterno with her April 22 Beaver Stadium 5K Race/Walk in support of Special Olympics. This race has become a Paterno Fellows favorite cause already, and this third year should be spectacular.  Lauren will indicate the several ways that you can help.  See Beaver Stadium 5K Run for Special Olympics
  • Sean Dooling will explain how you can help out with the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign that several Paterno Fellows are already involved in planning.  This is an effort to prevent childhood abuse, including sexual abuse, and it’s another cause that the Paterno Fellows Student Advisory Board has endorsed strongly.
  • The PF Advisory Board has also endorsed another volunteer effort: the Centre County Women’s Resource Center’s Steps to Safety Walk/Run Benefit (scheduled for October 14).  A representative from the CCWRC (Professor Terri Vescio of the Psychology Department) will be on hand to explain the volunteer opportunities–they need organizers, publicists, and race-day helpers, among other things.

Fellows Spring Gala March 23: “The Color Purple”

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Make plans now to attend the Paterno Fellows springtime Big Event:  a performance of the Broadway musical “The Color Purple” in Eisenhower Auditorium–an evening that includes a pre-show dessert reception featuring Professor Keith Gilyard and Sue Paterno.

We have reserved sixty tickets for this event, so secure your ticket now by coming to Billie Moslak in 119 Sparks Building.  The cost of each ticket is just $10; Fellows may also bring one non-Fellow guest if they wish; but all ticket-holders must also commit to attending the pre-show. The pre-show begins at 6:15 in the Conference Room within Eisenhower Auditorium (you’ll easily find it after presenting your ticket at the door), and “The Color Purple” begins at 7:30.

“The Color Purple” is an amazing show, an unforgettable musical based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the film by Steven Spielberg. Nominated for eleven Tony Awards (!), the play is both a landmark theatrical event and musical achievement, featuring a Grammy-nominated score that draws from jazz, gospel, and blues. Check out the Center for the Performing Arts website for more information about the show.  

But “The Color Purple” is also a controversial work, for reasons that Keith Gilyard will explain in a short, informal pre-show presentation that will contribute mightily to your enjoyment of the show. One of the nation’s leading experts on African American culture, Dr. Gilyard is Distinguished Professor of English and was recognized as the 2006 Faculty Scholar medalist for his research, scholarship, and poetry.  You can read his faculty profile on the English Department’s website. 

Sue Paterno attended the Fellows springtime event last year–a lecture by Nobel laureate Toni Morrison–and she is planning to attend once again this year. This will give Fellows a chance to meet her personally, and to thank her for her family’s support of the Fellows Program.  And it will give Sue Paterno a chance to thank Fellows for their service in support of the 5K Run for Special Olympics that she is so passionate about.

Peter Pan Performs for Fellows November 10

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Paterno Fellows and aspiring Paterno Fellows: Come and enjoy the November 10 performance of Peter Pan–we’ve reserved a block of tickets at a great price for a great show.

Penn State’s Playhouse Theatre (located near the Palmer Museum) will host this professional production, featuring the work of guest artists and top students from Penn State’s world-class musical theatre program. According to news releases, the show will be directed by Broadway veteran Michael Lichtefeld, coming straight from the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario; and amazing costumes will be designed by Richard St. Clair, a Penn State alumnus coming off his most recent success, the world premiere of Terrence McNally’s “Golden Age” for the Philadelphia Theatre Company. Captain Hook will be played by New Zealand professional Hayden Tee, who earned a 2009 Glugg award for best supporting actor. And in the title role will be Audrey Cardwell, a junior bachelor of fine arts musical theatre student who spent this past summer performing at the St. Louis Municipal Opera. (No word on who will be playing Tinkerbell.)

Tickets for Paterno Fellows and aspiring Fellows are just $5. You may purchase a ticket for yourself and a guest (if you’d like; the guest need not be a Fellow or aspirant) by coming to 101 Sparks during business hours, beginning Tuesday, November 2. First come, first served.

P.S.- Oh yes, one other detail: Flying will be made possible by Penn State faculty technical director Eric Rouse, who also works with Cirque Du Soleil and Flying by Foy (the company that created the flying rig for the original U.S. “Peter Pan,” which starred Mary Martin).

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