THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2007
NEWS
3A
CAMPUS
Hall shares anniversary with musical
Jessie Fetterling/KANSAN
Jeffrey Sears, Overslap Park junior, plays the lead role, Harold Hill, in the dress rehearsal of the musical "The Musk Man" on Monday in the Crafton Prey Theatre in Murphy Hall. The music opens Friday, coinciding with Murphy Hall's 50th anniversary.
'The Music Man marks 50 years of Murphy Hall
BY MATT LINDBERG mlindberg@kansan.com
There may not be a cake and presents, but the departments of theatre and film and music and dance will celebrate two anniversaries in their own way this weekend with a banquet and performances of "The Music Man" This year marks the 50th anniversaryes of both Murphy Hall and the popular musical.
John Staniums, director of "The Music Man," said the show was the perfect choice for the occasion because in addition to the shared anniversaries, it connected with audiences today.
"I it's pure Americana; it was about us, and it still is the show." Stanianus said. He said the show had stood the test of time and would continue to do so.
Charla Jenkins, public relations director of the University Theatre, said the production committee had wanted to do something special for the 50th anniversary of the building with a performance of either "The Music Man" or "Westside Story." She said "The Music Man" ultimately was
chosen because it shared the 50th anniversary with Murphy Hall and because it was a musical that the department hadn't put on for quite some time.
"We did
'Music Man'
years ago, and
it's just nice to
in your head."
Dress rehearsals for the show took place Monday through Wednesday, but the show was in the works
"Music brings us together whether it's in church or when you sing "Happy Birthday," this show will connect the audience."
do a show that hanks has something for everybody," jenkins said. "It might be a little bit corny, but there's just something about it — the songs stick
JOHN STANIUNAS
Director of "The Music Man"
all semester,
Whitney luneau,
Lawrence junior,
is a theater and
voice major and
is performing in the show. She said that the 41-person cast was working hard to put on a great show and that they became friendly while doing so.
"It's been a good time putting together the show," Juneau said. "There's a lot of freshmen in the production, so we have new people
In addition to "The Music Man," the departments also will celebrate Murphy Hall's 50th anniversary with a banquet dinner and a rededication of the building starting at 5 p.m. Saturday. A banquet will follow in which alumni will have a chance to speak.
becoming friends, and it's really exiting."
Larry Mallett, chairman of the department of music and dance, helped plan the anniversary and said this weekend's events were part of an agreement between the department of theatre and film and the department of music and dance to collaborate on a production each year. He said his favorite part of the night was the open mic session.
"It's nice to have the people come back and hear their stories," Mallett said. "It's a good chance for anyone
to talk about an experience they had in Murphy"
Tickets for the banquet have already been sold, but seats are still available for "The Music Man." The show takes place at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, with additional shows the following weekend. Tickets cost $10 for students, $20 for the general public and $19 for senior citizens.
Staniunas said he thought the show would connect with audiences and that he hoped students would attend.
"I'm a firm believer, unless you have arts in your life, you're not fulfilled," he said. "Music brings us together, whether it's in church or when you sing happy birthday, this show will connect the audience."
- Edited by Meghan Murphy
KU outreach program travels to Baldwin City to clean up battlefield
VOLUNTEER
Battle of Black Jack hailed as first armed conflict of Civil War
BY ERIN SOMMER esommer@kansan.com
The Center for Community Outreach is looking for students to help clean a part of history on Saturday.
The Union and the Confederacy fought the battle of Black Jack,
a battle that technically preceded the start of the Civil War, on June 2, 1856. On Saturday, the CCO will travel to Baldwin City to help clean brush and cut stumps from Black Jack Battlefield.
the historical importance of the battle.
"It's an important part of national heritage," Altenbernd said. "That's where the fighting of the Civil War really began."
Altenbernd said that notable Civil War veterans who fought in the battle of Black Jack included
"It's an important part of national heritage. That's where the fighting of the Civil War really began."
KERRY ALTENERND Black Jack Battlefield Trust Member
Kelli Stout, Derby senior and co-director of the CCO, said that this project was part of a series of service projects that the CCO, a division of Student Senate, organized throughout the school year.
Kerry Altenbernd, member of the Black Jack Battlefield Trust, said that the Black Jack Battlefield was unique because although it predates the official start of the Civil War, the battle was the first time two well-armed groups met to fight about slavery. Some historians are beginning to acknowledge
"This was something that was a little different than a typical park clean-up," Stout said. "A lot of students don't know about it."
John Brown,
an abolitionist, and Henry
Clay Pate, a pro-slavery
advocate in both Kansas
and Missouri.
"The story of Black lack, I think, is one of international significance"
Stout said that the CCO was still looking for students to help tomorrow. She said that a car pool would leave from the Kansas Union at 10 a.m. Saturday and would stay in Baldwin City until about 2 p.m. Stout said that lunch would be provided by the CCO.
Altenbernd said. "I've never been able to find an earlier example when a group of the oppressive society fought the oppressing society."
For more information, contact the Center for Community Outreach at (785) 864-4073.
Edited by Jeff Briscoe
"I don't approve of Congress, because we haven't done anything..." - Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi Associated Press-November 1,2007
We've noticed, Nancy.
Nancy Boyda, Dennis Moore and Nancy Pelosi continue to embarrass the country with their shrill political rhetoric and do-nothing agenda.
In 2006, they promised change and now they stand idle at the levers of power. Little did we know that the "change" they had mind mind was to stop meanigful progress dead in its tracks.
We need real change in 2008. Kansans want a return of respectability and responsibility. We need Republicans...
who stand ready and equipped to lead America at a time of great need.
It is time to vote for change. America needs leaders with a new direction, Nancy.
Vote Republican in 2008.
KANSAS REPUBLICAN PARTY
www.ksgop.org
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