Dr. Anne Foradori
UNK Department of Music and Performing Arts, 308.865.8610
The human need to connect through lasting relationships is the center of the University of Nebraska at Kearney theatre production of Georgia Stitt’s “Sing Me a Happy Song.”
The University Theatre will present “Sing Me a Happy Song” Wednesday – Sunday, Feb. 15 – 19 in the Fine Arts Studio Theatre, located on the lower level in the Fine Arts Building. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. A student matinee will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday.
Songs performed during the musical will include “Places That You’ve Never Been Before,” “Before I Lose My Mind” and “The Perfect Fit,” among others.
“’Sing Me a Happy Song’ is a new musical revue by songwriter Georgia Stitt,” said Dr. Anne Foradori, UNK professor of music and performing arts, and director of the production. UNK staff member Nancy Curry serves as musical director.
“The collection of songs revolves around the idea of the human need to ‘connect’ with one another as couples, friends, lovers, parents and children.” Dr. Foradori said. “People seek these connections, form lasting bonds, reconnect broken bonds, and sing heartfelt narratives, enact comic situations that happen to everyone in the sincere stories of their lives.
“I heard a couple of songs from the show and was intrigued by it,” Dr. Foradori said. “In 2009, I contacted the composer Georgia Stitt through her literary agent and learned more of this unpublished show, proposed it to the theatre faculty, and two years later, UNK is involved in this unique performance experience.
“The production is appropriate for high school age and older,” Dr. Foradori said. “It runs about 90 minutes with an intermission. The studio theatre only fits about 90 people, so I would recommend getting tickets early and in advance.”
Students were cast for the production through open auditions held in December. All University Theatre productions are open to all UNK students, Dr. Foradori said.
Admission is $8 for adults, non-UNK students and seniors; $6 for UNK faculty and staff; and $5 for groups of 10 or more. To purchase tickets, or for more information, call 308.865.8417.
The “Sing Me a Happy Song” cast and crew are listed below, alphabetically by hometown:
Beatrice – Megan Decker
Burwell – Dillon Nelson, assistant stage manager
Juniata – Addison Heeren
Lincoln – Nate Rocke
Kearney – Jamie Bentley, student scenic designer
Omaha – Madison Hoge, Elizabeth Liebermann
O’Neill – Jordan Peterson
Palisade – JoanAnn Blomstedt
Plainview – Justin Kluver, percussion
OUT OF STATE
Colorado
Castle Rock – Abby Claar, stage manager
Burlington – Codie Milford
