Everything Nac

    The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present a student-directed production of Christopher Durang’s one-act play “For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 13, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14. All performances will be in the Downstage Theatre located on the first floor of the Griffith Fine Arts Building.

    “In this parody of ‘Glass Menagerie,’ Amanda tries desperately to marry off her hypochondriacal son, Lawrence, to Ginny, an obnoxious and partially deaf ‘feminine caller,’” explained Irving senior Kat Edwards, the play’s director. “Needless to say, the set up turns to chaos while hearts and swizzle sticks get broken.”

    The play is recommended for mature audiences.

    British exchange student Abigail Watton plays Amanda, Katy freshman Preston Paul portrays Lawrence, and White Oak senior Lindsay Love plays Ginny. Kingwood senior Nick Negrón portrays Lawrence’s brother, Tom.

    Previously at SFA, Edwards assistant directed the Mainstage production of “Three Sisters” and the student productions of “The Saga of Cuchulain” and “Tom and Jerry.” She also directed “The Goblins Plot to Murder God” in the Upstage Theatre and acted in several student productions, including “Contribution” and “A Young Lady of Property.”

    Tickets for “For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls” are $3 each. For tickets or more information, please call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

    Internationally acclaimed marimba artist She-e Wu will be the featured soloist during the SFA Percussion Ensemble concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 12, in Cole Concert Hall on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University.

She-e Wu, internationally acclaimed marimba artist will perform as soloist and with the SFA Percussion Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 12, in Cole Concert Hall.

    Wu will perform as a solo artist and with the ensemble in presenting Eckhard Kopetzki’s “Night of Moon Dances,” a percussion quartet with marimba soloist that was an obligatory piece for the 2004 Belgium International Marimba Competition.

    “I have known She-e for over 10 years and have continuously been amazed by her musicality, grace and sensitivity, and flawless technique,” said Scott Harris, SFA professor of percussion and the group’s director.

    “She is one of the premiere marimbists and percussionists in the world today. It will be a true pleasure to have her on campus for the concert as well as for clinics and master classes with our students,” Harris continued.

    During the concert, the 13-member group will also perform two large ensemble works by Rob Smith and David Gillingham.

    “Smith’s ‘Surge’ is a highly syncopated and energetic work that constantly gathers momentum until the climactic ending,” Harris said.

    “Gillingham’s ‘Stained Glass,’ which is inspired by the beauty and color of stained glass typically found in churches and cathedrals, conveys the reverence, mystery and joy that emulates from stained glass catching sunlight at just the right time of day.” It will be conducted by graduate student Michael Oreka of Chesapeake, Va.

    The ensemble will also play Chris Crockarell’s “Brooms Hilda,” which Harris describes as “a choreographed (STOMP-like) work using only push brooms as instruments.”

    The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music and is a part of the Cole Performing Arts Series. Cole Concert Hall is located in the Wright Music Building, 2210 Alumni Drive.

    Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, please go to www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

    The Stone Fort Wind Quintet, a faculty ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University, will present its spring concert, “Classics for Wind Quintet,” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The Stone Fort Wind Quintet, an SFA faculty ensemble, will present its spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, in Cole Concert Hall. Pictured, from left, are Christina Guenther, John W. Goodall, Christopher Ayer, Charles Gavin and Susan Nelson.

    The program will feature ensemble members — Christina Guenther (flute), John W. Goodall (oboe), Christopher Ayer (clarinet), Susan Nelson (bassoon) and Charles Gavin (horn) — performing two wind quintet standards: Samuel Barber’s “Summer Music” and Malcolm Arnold’s “Three Shanties.”

    “Arnold’s humorous piece is a favorite among wind quintets,” said Guenther. “It is based on three popular songs: ‘Drunken Sailor,’ ‘Boney Was a Warrior’ and ‘Johnny Come Down to Hilo.’”

    The ensemble will also premiere Jerry Casey’s “Gli Intrighi D’Amore (The Intrigues of Love).” Brad Maule, former daytime television star (Dr. Tony Jones on “General Hospital”) and adjunct faculty member in the SFA College of Fine Arts, will serve as narrator.

    Based on the tradition of “la Commedia dell’arte,” the work tells the story of two young lovers, Isabella and Ottavio, who trick Isabella’s father into letting them marry each other instead of the suitor he has selected for her, Guenther explained.

    The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music and is a part of the Cole Performing Arts Series. Cole Concert Hall is located in the Wright Music Building, 2210 Alumni Drive.

    Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, please go to www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.