College acting troupe is presenting holiday shows in community

A small group of faculty, alumni and students from the Department of Theatre and Dance at SUNY Fredonia are performing in four original productions at community venues this month. “Each show is a benefit performance for charity or a gift to the community from SUNY Fredonia,” said Theatre and Dance Professor Ted Sharon, who is one of the performers.

On Saturday, Dec. 16, the group will present, “The Disappearance of Simoné Divo: an Original Mystery Event,” at 6 p.m. at the Dunkirk Moose Club. Admission is one frozen turkey per small group for donation to the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry. “This is a family-friendly mystery complete with highly classified surveillance videotapes, four actors, two audience members, and thirteen of the zaniest characters you've ever seen,” Professor Sharon said. The show starts at 7 p.m. after some time for mingling.

On Wednesday, Dec. 20, a dinner/theatre event will be staged at the Fireside Manor in Dunkirk when the group presents, “Improv Uprising: An Original Improv Comedy Event.” The audience and cast members will combine forces in this fast-paced ride to hilarity. Dinner starts at 7 and the show at 8. The dinner package and free show tickets can be purchased by calling 716-672-4449.

The group goes to the Chautauqua County Home in Dunkirk on Friday, Dec. 22, for the free show, “International Idol: An Original Musical Production,” starting at 7 p.m. In this foot-tapping comedy, four star-struck souls have made it to the final round of International Idol where only one will be crowned. Based on the television shows of the same genre, this original production features flashback footage of the not-so-idol, along with audience participation, and songs that will bring back memories.

The group launched its first performance on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at the Chautauqua County Home in Dunkirk, when it performed for free, “The Holiday Cabaret: An Original Musical Production.” In this show, four stranded travelers discovered that the holidays were less about location and more about the company they kept.

The alumni performers in the group are Marc de la Concha (musical theatre ’05) of Schenectady, N.Y.; Dan Lendzian (acting ’06) of Warwick, N.Y.; and Tania Wilk (musical theatre, ’06) of Sayville, N.Y.

Current seniors at SUNY Fredonia who are performing are Colleen Benedict (BFA acting) of Binghamton, N.Y.; Steve Copps (BFA musical theatre) of East Syracuse, N.Y.; Aundré Seals (BFA acting) of Vestal, N.Y.; Autumn Stein (BFA acting) of Arkport, N.Y.; Lindsay Zaroogian (BFA musical theatre) of Geneva, N.Y.; and Jane Villella (BFA acting) of Warren, Pa.

SUNY Fredonia juniors in the troupe are Caitlyn Herzlinger (BFA acting) of Hyde Park, N.Y., Matt Hughes (BFA acting) of Rochester, N.Y.;

Two sophomores in the troupe are Roger Mulligan (BFA acting) of Honeoye Falls, N.Y.; and Johnny Vitulli (BFA acting) of Callicoon, N.Y.

The production for all four shows is handled by seniors Josh Jeffery (BFA scenic design) of Rome, N.Y.; and Kana Otaki (BFA lighting design) of Sapporo, Japan.