By Lily Gannon, Staff Writer
Susquehanna students performed scenes from operas and musicals on April 7 in Stretansky Concert Hall.
According to sophomore Allison Steinert, the performance gave both the students and attendees the opportunity to learn from the performances.
“It’s a lot of hard work but I think there is a lot to learn from opera,” Steinert said. “The final product is so fun to do for us and I think also for the audience to see.”
Steinert also said that the participants frequently practiced in order to prepare for the show.
“We practiced Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,” Steinert said. “We either practice with… Tober, working together as a group, or we would on our own.”
Steinert also said that having the chance to frequently work with the group made for a better performance. She also said that much of the enjoyment the cast gets from performing comes from being able to connect with one another.
First-year Carson Long emphasized the thought process that goes into performing.
“We are constantly thinking about how we are using our voice,” Long said. “A whole lot of work went into putting out there what we did.”
Attendees also praised the connection between the performers and the audience.
“It was honestly really great and all of the performers were so fantastic,” said senior Genovee Dominguez. “It just called to my soul.”
The first performance, “Wuthering Heights,” was based on the novel by Emily Bronte, with music by Bernard Hermann and libretto by Lucille Fletcher. Senior Michaela Wagner played Cathy and sophomore Stephan Burdsall played Heathcliff. Wagner sang “I Have Been Wandering Through The Green Wood” and Burdsall sang “On The Moors.”
The second performance, “Jane Eyre,” was based on the novel by Charlotte Bronte, with music and lyrics by Paul Gordon and book and additional lyrics by John Caird. Sophomore Erin Markham played Jane, sophomore Isabelle Dara played Blanche, senior Rebekka Rosen played Helen and senior Dan Reynolds played Edward. The group performed “Forgiveness,” “The Finer Things,” “Painting Her Portrait” and “Sirens.”
The third and fourth scenes were two different versions of “Little Women” based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott. The 2001 version of “Little Women” had music by Jason Howland and libretto by Mindi Dickstein. Sophomore Alison Erwin played Beth, first-year Sarah Fluke played Amy, junior Victoria Meneses played Meg, Steinert played Jo, senior Ben Nause played Laurie and first-year Ryan Miller played John. This scene included the songs “Five Forever,” “More Than I Am,” “Astonishing,” “Some Things Are Meant To Be” and “The Most Amazing Thing.”
The 1998 version of “Little Women” had music and libretto by Mark Adamo. Junior Lena Costello played Jo, senior Emily Curto played Amy, first-year Marnie Brubaker played Alma, first-year Kyleigh Kutz played Meg, first-year Chloe Acquaviva played Beth, first-year Tyler Shadle played Laurie, sophomore Spencer Ostrowsky played Gideon and first-year Jack Sullivan played John. This scene featured the songs “What Is It, Laurie?” and “Let Me Look At You.”
The final performance, “The Secret Garden,” was based on the novel by Frances H. Burnett, with music by Lucy Simon and book and libretto by Marsha Norman. Long played Lily, sophomore Naomi Cohen played Mary, first-year Sarah Gomez played Martha and Mrs. Medlock, sophomore Joey Martin played Archie and senior John Uhlig played Neville. The group performed the works “I Heard Someone Crying,” “A Man Who Came To My Garden,” “Winter’s On the Wing,” “Lily’s Eyes,” “Hold On” and “Come to My Garden.”