percussion


curtain's up
cabaret, a night of gershwin 

Conductor
Cheung Chau

Director & Choreographer
Jennifer Delac

Music Director
Marilee Wilson

 

Concert Hall

January 24–25, 2024
7:30 p.m.

Dean's Message

Courtney Davis

The arts possess the sublime power to inspire, engage, and transform. Just as a solitary note holds the ability to captivate, a single voice, gesture, or melody possesses the ineffable power to carry us away.

We invite you to embark upon a new journey with us this season at The Noorda Center—home to inspiring events and an exciting hub for the arts in Utah County. Our mission is to produce and present artistic excellence, which would not be possible without the generous support of our donors and sponsors. We thank them and express our deep gratitude to all patrons, supporters, and friends of The Noorda Center.

Thank you for journeying with us this season to experience the profound and transformative power of the arts!

Courtney R. Davis, J.D., M.A.
Dean, School of the Arts

 

 

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about the performance


Join us for an evening of song featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin! Enjoy tunes from their most beloved musicals, including Crazy for You and An American in Paris, alongside some lesser-known gems from their songbook. The evening will showcase a live, full orchestra, presenting this music as it was meant to be heard. Of course, no Gershwin evening would be complete without dancing, performed to these toe-tapping and swoon-worthy melodies.

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Arrangements for tonight's music, performed by the UVU Chamber Orchestra, have been created by faculty and students of the UVU Commercial Music Program:
 
Julianna Carlson (Current UVU Commercial Music Student) 
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off
Little Jazz Bird
 
Isaac Lucero (UVU Commercial Music Alumni)
But Not for Me
Fidgety Feet
Hello Good Morning
 
AJ Peery & Dr. Charlie Han
Someone To Watch Over Me 
 
Dr. Charlie Han
Fascinating Rhythm 
S’Wonderful
Shall We Dance

 

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Production team


Producer
La Beene

Director
Jennifer Delac

Production Stage Manager
Ele Rose

Lighting Design
Caleb Wallengren

Assistant Director
Mya Odom

Associate Choreographer
Emily Porter

 

cast


Abby Fillmore

Adam Moore

Chloe Henry

Delanie Foreman

Fiorella Pulido (Dance Captain)

Hayden Mecham

Hunter Hogan

Ian Morgan

Isabella Henao

Jennilene Ness Ward

Mackenzie Turner (Dance Captain)

Nathan Bowser

Rachel Naylor

Sasha Wilkinson

Taylor Ann Jaeger

 

production crew


Light Board Operator: Caleb Wallengren

A2: Katie Higbee

Deck Crew: Douglas Wadley and Kennedie Young

 

 

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program


FASCINATING RHYTHM
Sung by Hayden Mecham + Entire Company
Choreographed by Emily Porter

 

LET’S CALL THE WHOLE THING OFF
Sung by Sasha Wilkinson and Nathan Bowser
Choreographed by Jen Delac

 

FUNNY FACE
Sung by Hunter Hogan

 

HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON
Sung by Chloe Henry

 

HANG ON TO ME
Sung by Hayden Mecham and Abby Fillmore
Choreographed by Emily Porter

 

LITTLE JAZZ BIRD
Sung by Adam Moore
Choreographed by Jen Delac

 

EMBRACEABLE YOU
Sung by Mackenzie Turner Featuring Adam Moore
Choreographed by Jen Delac

 

BUT NOT FOR ME
Sung by Sasha Wilkinson

 

HELLO GOOD MORNING
Sung by Full Company

 

FIDGETY FEET
Sung by Nathan Bowser and Ian Purser
Danced by Fiorella Pulido and Jennilene Ness Ward
Choreographed by Emily Porter

 

SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME
Sung by Taylor Ann Jaeger

 

NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT
Sung by Jennilene Ness Ward

 

BOY WANTED
Sung by Abby Fillmore + Female Ensemble

 

S’WONDERFUL
Sung by Nathan Bowser, Ian Purser, Hayden Mecham

 

SHALL WE DANCE
Sung by Fiorella Pulido

 

THE MAN I LOVE
Sung by Delanie Foreman

 

I’VE GOT A CRUSH ON YOU
Sung by Adam Moore and Mackenzie Turner
Choreographed by Jen Delac

 

TREAT ME ROUGH
Sung by Isabella Henao

 

I’VE GOT RHYTHM
Sung by Rachel Naylor with Full Ensemble
Choreographed by Jen Delac

 

 

 

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 biographies

 

 

abbyAbby Fillmore

Abby is thrilled to be apart of this amazing concert! 
She is in the BFA Musical Theatre program here at UVU . She was recently seen in UVU's production of Ozma of Oz, Hello Girls HCTO as Helen Hill, and Sister Act HCTO as Sister Mary Robert. Abby is so excited to get to perform some fun, classic Gershwin music in this beautiful concert hall with all her friends. Thank you to my family and friends for all your love and support! Another thank you to Jen Delac, our wonderful Director/Choreographer, for making this such a wonderful experience!


Adam Moore

Adam is a Sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program here and is excited to be performing in his first UVU production. He has loved singing his whole life, but was introduced to theatre last year and has found his new passion. Since then, he has enjoyed playing Race in Sundance Summer Theatre's production of Newsies, as well as Quasimodo In Hunchback of Notre Dame and Frederic in Pirates of Penzance, both performed with the Timpanogos Arts Foundation. This February, you can see Adam perform as Dickon in Secret Garden with the Timpanogos Arts Foundation.
Instagram: @broadammoore


calebCaleb Wallengren
Lighting
Designer 


 


Caleb is very grateful for the opportunity to light this wonderful show! His previous lighting design credits include: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Anastasia, The Pirates of Penzance, The Addams Family, Beauty and The Beast, The Sound of Music (Timpanogos Community Theater), Bandstand, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Les Misérables (DoGood Theater). Caleb is currently studying at Utah Valley University in the BFA Lighting Design program. He hopes you enjoy the show!


chloeChloe Henry

Chloe Henry is a senior here at UVU, and she will be finishing out her education with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in music. As a "golden girl" of musical theatre, she could not be more grateful to be singing Gershwin music for her final collegiate performance. The Golden Age of theatre is stunningly beautiful, and she cannot wait to share it with you!


Delanie Foreman  

Delanie is excited to be in the Gershwin Cabaret! She’s a senior in the musical theater BFA here at UVU and has recently been in Ijto the Woods as a swing and in Lady M.


eleEle Rose
Stage Manager 

 

S

This is Ele's final show here at UVU, and there could not have been a better show to end with. It has been a gift to work with this cast and production team, and the only regret they have is that the show has to come to an end.


pulidoFiorella Pulido

Fio is currently a junior pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in French. She was recently part of UVU’s production of Ozma of Oz, where she portrayed Princess Langwidere. Last year, she performed in HCTO’s How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and in WVPAC’s Legally Blonde as Pilar. She would like to thank her friends and family for their endless love and support. Lastly, she is so grateful for everyone involved in the Cabaret.


Hayden Mecham

Hayden is a Sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program, and he is so excited to be returning to the UVU stage! Favorite past roles: Jack (Into the Woods, UVU), TikTok (Ozma of Oz, UVU), Ernst (Spring Awakening, Hart Theatre Co.), Texas (Cabaret, Center for the Arts at Kayenta), and Subconscious B (5150, WSU). He will also be performing in TAG's production of What About Luv on May 9-10 as Harry Berlin. Thank you to my friends and family for all of their support!


hunterHunter Hogan

UVU debut! Very excited to share the stage with an amazing cast. Thank you to all my professors, mentors, directors, crew, family, and friends for all the support.


ianIan Morgan

Ian is currently a sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program. He is excited to show off his singing and dancing skills in his second UVU Main Stage show. He previously was a Wheeler and a Nome in last semester’s production of Ozma of Oz. He hopes you enjoy the performance!


isabellaIsabella Henao

Isabella Henao is excited to make her UVU debut in A Night of Gershwin. Recently, she had the opportunity to work with HBO on the upcoming second season of The Rehearsal. A proud third-year member of UVU’s acappella group BLOOM, Isabella also enjoys hitting the gym and drawing in her free time. She thanks her mom for convincing her to leave her Business Major. To follow her journey you can follow her on Instagram @Isa.Gringalatina.


Jennilene Ness Ward

Jennilene is thrilled to be performing in this production of Curtain's Up: Cabaret as she makes her debut on the UVU stage. Jennie is a sophomore here in the Musical Theatre BFA program and has loved learning and growing. Some of Jennie’s recents roles she’s performed as are Alison in Pinkalicious (HCTO), Ru Ann in May We All (HCT), Daemon in Sleepy Hollow (WVA), and even assistant directed Fiddler on the Roof at the Scera Shell. She gives thanks to all of the wonderful people who have supported her in her performing journey—including her husband Ryan, her family, her mentors, directing staff, and stage crew. Jennie hopes you feel excited and inspired as you watch this thrilling production, and thanks you for supporting the arts!


mackMackenzie Turner

This is a bittersweet moment for Kenzie because it’s her LAST show at UVU. A senior in the BFA Musical Theatre program, she’s fueled by Diet Dr. Pepper and a dream, and she cannot WAIT to tap dance the night away!


Nathan Bowser

Nathan Bowser is a Senior in the UVU Musical Theatre program. He teaches voice and studio recording technique. This is his final project here as a student, and he couldn't be more grateful. He gives sincere thanks to all the faculty and staff who have helped him get to where he's at.


rachelRachel Naylor

Rachel Naylor is excited to be a part of her third show here at UVU. She can't wait to be able to share this Night of Gershwin with you all. Shows she was recently in was Ozma of Oz here at UVU playing Nanda, Jack's Mother in Into The Woods last spring, and Singing In The Rain in the ensemble at the Scerra Outdoor Theater. In her spare time, she loves gaming, getting out of the house, and staying up to date with her friends. Rachel challenges you to be like George Gershwin.
"George moved fast, lived fast, studied hard, and learned fast."
-Ira Gershwin


Sasha Wilkinson

Sasha has grown up on Gershwin and Jazz. Past roles include Eurydice/Aphrodite/Q (Metamorphoses), Cinderella (Into the Woods), Leanne/Helga/Frenchy/Ginny (Puffs…), and Customer Service/Prosecution/Chaplain (Machinal).  Sasha is in her senior year in the BFA Musical Theatre program and did a theatre study abroad in London and Stratford. She is also an avid singer/lyricist and has released six singles! She would like to thank the cast, the crew, and her invaluable community of supportive humans!


IG: @sasha.haydn
Spotify: Sasha Haydn


taylorTaylor Ann Jaeger

Taylor is thrilled to be performing in her first show at UVU! She is currently a Sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program, and has enjoyed every second of it. Last year, she worked as the assistant music director for Into the Woods here at UVU! Some favorite acting credits of hers include Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Elsa Shraeder in The Sound of Music, and The Witch in Into the Woods. Taylor is deeply passionate about performing and can’t wait to bring this show to you. Instagram: @taylorannjaeger

 

 

 

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uvu chamber orchestra


 

Cheung Chau

Director and Conductor

1st Violins
Annalicia Powley
Elsa Saunders
MiKayka Billings 

2nd Violins
Rosemary Palmer
Brian Rowe 

Violas
McKinley Lucas
Alaina Magill
Vivian Fernandes Gaspar
Makenna Durrant 

Cellos
Elise Johnson
Hailey Hannig
McKay Jones

Basses
AJ Peery

 

 

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give to the school of the arts


give

As we prepare to welcome the community to experience the wonder at The Noorda Center, we'd like to thank you for making it all possible. 

The performing arts inspire us to engage with others, discover new ways of thinking and feeling, and provides us with hope—in short, we believe the arts transform you. As an exciting hub for the arts in Utah County, we produce hundreds of performances by talented students, faculty, and world-renowned visiting artists. We invite everyone to join in connecting through the arts. 

As part of UVU’s inaugural EverGREEN fundraising campaign, we invite you to make a gift to the UVU School of the Arts

Your gift not only impacts students success, but ensures programming and exciting artistic creation continues.

Please make a gift today by clicking below. Thank you!

 

MAKE A Gift To the school of the arts

 


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wonder

the noorda center
coming soon

SCHOOL OF
the ARTS

coming Soon

THE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

Department Chair
JEFFREY O'FLYNN

Associate Chair
MELISSA HEATH

Administrative Assistant
CHRIS GINES

 

Choirs
REED CRIDDLE
CHERILYN WORTHEN

Orchestra/Cello
CHEUNG CHAU

Violin
DONNA FAIRBANKS

Clarinet
JEFFREY O’FLYNN

Trumpet/Music Theory
RYAN NIELSEN

Percussion
SHANE JONES

Piano
HILARY DEMSKE

Jazz/Commercial
DAVID BAKER

Voice
MELISSA HEATH
ISAAC HURTADO

Commercial Music
CHARLIE HAN
TODD SORENSEN

Theory
BRYCE RYTTING

Musicology
ROSS HAGEN

Director of Bands
CHRIS RAMOS

THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE

Chair, Associate Professor
LA BEENE, MFA

Associate Chair, Associate Professor
JULIE HEATON, MFA

Administrative Assistant
CURTIS CLUFF, MFA

Associate Professor
AMANDA CRABB, MM

Assistant Professor
JENNIFER DELAC, MFA

Lecturer
ELIZABETH GOLDEN, MFA

Lecturer
M. CHASE GRANT, MFA


Professor
LISA HALL, PHD

Professor
LAURIE HARROP-PURSER, MFA

Lecturer
SHANNON HUTCHINS, MFA

Associate Professor
JANINE SOBECK KNIGHTON, MFA


Assistant Professor
RICHARD LORIG, MFA

Professor

JOHN NEWMAN, PHD

Assistant Professor
STEVEN RIMKE, MFA


Lecturer
GRAHAM WHIPPLE, MFA