|
December 17, 2007
SYMPOSIUM ON MUSICAL THEATRE ICON STEPHEN SONDHEIM TO BE HELD AT WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY FEBRUARY 14 – 15
—Event is held in conjunction with Distinguished Lecturer Series presentation by Sondheim on February 15
 Wayne, N.J.—A symposium celebrating the 50-year musical theatre career of American composer Stephen Sondheim will be held at William Paterson University February 14-15, 2008. The two-day symposium, which will feature lectures, panels, paper presentations, master classes and performances, is held in conjunction with Sondheim’s appearance as part of the University’s Distinguished Lecturer Series on February 15 at 7 p.m. in Shea Center.
Full symposium registration, which includes Sondheim’s Distinguished Lecturer Series appearance, are $260. Online registration is available at www.wpunj.edu/SondheimSymposium. Discounts are available for senior citizens and students; University and continuing education credits are available.
Tickets for Sondheim’s Distinguished Lecturer Series program can be purchased separately for $37, $34 for senior citizens, members of the William Paterson community, $18 for students and $14 for William Paterson students. For information, call the Shea Center Box Office at 973-720-2371.
Symposium conveners, Phillip Sprayberry, William Paterson University media relations coordinator, and Diane Nottle, assistant to the editor, culture news, The New York Times, have assembled a varied program. Peter Filichia, theater critic for The Star-Ledger in Newark, New Jersey, and on television for News 12 New Jersey, will be the keynote speaker. Other featured sessions include a performance by international bass-baritone Stephen Bryant, a William Paterson University professor of music; a panel featuring New York music and theatre critics, and a special session on Sondheim and jazz. Sondheim scholars are encouraged to respond to the open-ended call for papers on the symposium Web site.
On Friday, February 15, Sondheim will appear as part of the Distinguished Lecturer Series to discuss his career as a composer and lyricist for stage and screen. The lecture will be moderated by Sean Patrick Flahaven, associate editor of the Sondheim Review and vocal illustrations will be performed by Anthony Rapp, best known for creating the role of Mark Cohen in the Broadway and feature film versions of “Rent.”
Sondheim is widely seen as his generation’s leading writer of the stage musical. He is one of the few people to win an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards (seven, more than any other composer), multiple Grammy Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize. His works span a half-century and include, as composer/lyricist, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Company,” “A Little Night Music,” “Sweeney Todd,” and “Sunday in the Park with George,” as well as “West Side Story” and “Gypsy,” for which he wrote the lyrics. The symposium coincides with preview performances of the Broadway revival of “Sunday in the Park with George.”
The symposium is sponsored by William Paterson University’s Center for Continuing and Professional Education. For information, contact Nancy Friend at 973.720.3829 or friendn@wpunj.edu.
# # #
www.wpunj.edu
|
|
