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Nazareth College Music and Theatre and Dance departments to present The Journey of Sir Douglas Fir October 9

Published September 09, 2016

The Nazareth College Theatre and Dance Department and Nazareth College Music Department are pleased to present The Journey of Sir Douglass Fir – a musical performance inspired by a true Canadian event. The all-ages, family friendly show will run for one day only in Callahan Theater at the Nazareth College Arts Center, 2 p.m., Sunday, October 9, 2016.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

The performance follows a 350-year-old Douglas Fir tree as it yearns for change, but gets more than it bargains for when it's felled in a severe storm. Fortunately, a collection of forest friends helps the tree through its difficult transition to a surprising destiny.

This is a fanciful, orchestrated account of an actual Canadian event. Developed from the award-winning children’s read and sing-along book by Ric Reitz, this performance is ideal for ages 7 and up. Reitz’s book, published in 1999, was later made into a film featuring Johnny Cenicola, Rob Cleveland, and Christopher Ekholm.

Creator and Author Kenric “Ric” Reitz is a Rochester native who began his performance career at the Nazareth College Arts Center. Since his graduation from Bowling Green State University, Reitz has had numerous stage, television, and movie roles. He will be flying in from his home in California for the performance.

PERFORMERS AND PRODUCTION TEAM

Nazareth’s production of The Journey of Sir Douglas Fir is directed by Diane Abrahamian-MacNally, a lecturer in the Theater and Dance Department. Diane has been nominated for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award for the past four years, and was selected as a quarter-finalist each year, and a semi-finalist in 2016.

The orchestra for the production is conducted by Nancy Strelau, Associate Professor in Professional Practice. Nancy is also the Auditions and Instrumental Coordinator and Orchestra Conductor for the Music Department at Nazareth.

The orchestra consists of:

  • Flautists Katherine Saslawsky, Edgard Barra, Marguerite call
  • Oboist Rebecca Kittleson
  • Clarinetists Elyssa Utz, Abigail Hamel
  • Bass Clarinetist Sam Stein
  • Hornists Hali Shepard, Katie Dickey, Abigail Farnam, Noelle Hensler
  • Trombonists Michael Carson, Holly Burrell, Matthew Holloway
  • Trumpeters Yuan Miao, Miles Anglin
  • Tubist Alexander Mabrich
  • Percussionists Jamison Brooks, Lincoln All, Madeline Mitchell, Noah Jones
  • Violinists Andrea Peters (Concertmistress), Bri Oricchio (Concertmistres), Carly Schwarzkopf, Tera Catallo, Alex Bruno, Sam Cooperman, Kiran Rajamani, Katie Proe, Regan Wagner, Kevin Goddard, Gary Guth, Lisa Lindenbaum, Sarah Ramey, Marissa Mergler, Jazlyn Melindo, Nicole Burns, Allison Kurthy, Katelin Benini, Gwynneth Lloyd, Alicia Sciolino, Victoria Rose
  • Violists Evie Boughton, Zac Lijewski, Rochelle Heinze, Erin Oakley, Ceara Curry, Jessica Kromer, Giovanni Magagnoli, Danielle Santoro, Matt Krieg, Christian Drew, Abby Zych, Josh Shufelt, Noah Sauve
  • Cellists David Hauck, Katrya Cichanowicz, Mariah Bondy, Anastasia Hughes, Christian Malmstrom, Alex Barna, Jessica Stroupe, Samantha McIntyre, Claire Hardy, Christina Soto
  • Keyboardist Aaron Siebert-Sio
  • Guitarist Elijah Flynn
  • Double bassists Emma Pogge, Aubrey Baldauf, Stan Martinelli, Jacob Brooks, Felix LaPlante

Nazareth College vocalists and musical theatre students complete the cast: Jackson Mosher (Narrator), Vincent Capluzzi (Sir Douglas Fir), Regan Stacey (Earl Squirrel), Sterling Tull (Monk The Skunk), Sam Melita (Bully Bear), Chiara Giampietro (Rona Redbreast), Peter Smith (Skunk Brother), Dylan Tomas Kastel (Skunk Brother), Sara Hayward (Mrs. O’Deer), Robert DiJames (Ranger), Tayler Kochan (Twiglet), Alyssa Lopez (Twiglet),  Cassidy Smith (Cedrick the Otter), Nevasse Magone-Fragale (Mill Boss), Isabella Bertoni (Conductor), Kerry Peysson (Queen’s Rep), and ensemble members Samantha Antoniewicz, Alice Miao, Yakira Coleman, Nicole Todd, Abigail Voss, Alexendria Ireijo, Robert Brunelle, Tayler Kochan, Chelsea Colton, Amanda Reyngoudt, Kara Smith, and Abigail Swanson.

TICKETS

The Journey of Sir Douglas Fir is free and open to public.

For More Information

Mare Millow | Marketing & Publicity Manager | Nazareth College Arts Center | mmillow7@naz.edu | 585-389-2093

Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.

Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.