Shepherd University - Cohongoroota Yearbook (Shepherdstown, WV)

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Personalities iff, 1-4- Plays and Personalities Henry Vlll. More's efforts to retain both his life and his integrity erupted on stage in a display of brilliant language and sharp wit unequaled in modern drama. With the beginning of a new semester, the Series brought '34 MARK TWAIN MEDLE Y to the stage of Reynolds Hall. This beautiful production was a celebration of the warmth and humor of turn-of-the-century America through the eyes of our country's most re- nowned story teller. Structured in a reyue form, with minimal demands on costumes and scenery, '34 Mark Twain Medley creat- 26 Arts and Lecture Forum Series ed the world of life along the Mississippi, or in lnjun Joe's cave, or in King Arthur's Court, through dialogue and songs that were ex- pressive of Twain's sardonic, free-wheeling wit. Twain's opinions are voiced through his own character creations who acted as tour guides for this musical-dramatic excursion through hisAmerica. ln February, two solo musicians presented their varied talents. On the 17th, Carole Sunday performed in a Ram's Den Coffee- house. Ms. Sunday is an accomplished gui, tarist and folk singer. A native of Atlanta, she has appeared on the Today in Georgia show, as well as in concert with Harry Cha- pin, Brewer and Shipley, and Ronnie Dove. To Shepherd, Ms. Sunday brought her clearly individual style and a smooth performance. Later in the month, pianist John McCabe presented a musical tour de force on the stage of Reynolds Hall. McCabe has received international acclaim for his compositions and form. He is noted for the care with which he chooses his repertoire as pianist, and his work as composer gives his interpretations a particular insight into the music he plays. On Feb. 28th, Sally and Jack Jenkins brightened the winter horizon with 'S Won- derful, 'S Gershwin. This fast-paced, two hour musical was a dazzling collision of

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and Plays and Personalities and Plays and Personalities and Plays. Sally and Jack Jenkins The Fresk String Quartet sights and sounds. The Jenkins' adeptly brought the genius of George Gershwin to the stage-presenting artistic impressions of the 20th Century as it painfully came of age. From Sweden the Series brought the Fresk String Quartet. This exceptionally mel- low sounding ensemble was made up of four talented musicians.' Lars Fresk, violin,' Hans- Erik Westburg, violin,' Lars Gunnar Bodin, viola,' and Per-Goran Skytt, cello. The group studied individually at the RoyalAcademy of Music in Stockholm and founded their quartet in 7965. Percussion-70, a group of West Virginia musicians, appeared March 25 in the Ball- room. Under the direction of Mr. Phil Faini of the Music Division of West Virginia Universi- ty, this ensemble performed on a variety of percussion and African instruments. ln April the Series brought the exceptional talent of Robert Minford to the stage of Reynolds Hall. ln a performance that has been described as terrifying, intense, and humorous , Minford portrayed the tortured genius of Edgar Allen Poe. 'Uourney to Eldo- rado is a brilliant one-man play and is the fulHllment of Minford's greatest desire, bringing the Poe story to the public. The final event of the Series was the pre- sentation of the West Virginia Symphonette. ...-' 1: Formed in 7969, the Symphonette is a chamber orchestra, which provides the great- est flexibility in programming requirements. This ensemble has presented full-scale classical concerts, pop programs, musical ac- companiments for theatre, opera, and ballet, and in addition provided a great range of chamber music programs with soloists from the orchestra under the direction of Dr. Donald Portnoy. The event was a feast of music-lovers of every kind. Arts and Lecture Forum Series 27