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Greetings!
Dear Friends and Family,
I'd like to introduce you to the first edition of my newsletter, InsideThe Music Room. As most of you know, I've been involved in music all my life, singing in musical theater, jazz and pop groups, cabaret, church, private parties, schools and in special fund-raising concerts. I've always loved being a performer, but this week, I'm presenting another facet of my musical life as composer and writer of a children's theater piece entitled, Princess of the Nile.
In this issue, you'll hear some backstory info about the show and how it developed. I hope you'll join me at the CENTER for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck to see this fun, light-hearted musical about a Cinderella in Ancient Egypt. The show runs for 5 performances from Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 23-26 . Check out the articles here for more info about the show. See you at the CENTER!!
Enjoy!! Barbara |
| Millbrook Gals Collaborate |
Laurie Sepe- Marder has lived here in Millbrook all her life, and I only moved here 23 years ago, but from our first meeting (pictured above), it was clear we had a lot in common. Laurie danced and performed in musical theater and had her own successful dance studio. I had been singing for years, and having re-located to the Hudson Valley was getting back into performing in shows. We always supported each other's artistic endeavors, and only recently had the opportunity to work on something together. I knew Laurie would be the perfect choreographer for the show I had written for children, Princess of the Nile. In the last several years, she has been both director and choreographer for many wonderful shows at the CENTER for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck, including Carousel, Oklahoma, Chicago, and just this July, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. In between rehearsals for several shows, working on other creative projects, and our own hectic family schedules, Laurie and I managed to collaborate and bring to life the story and words and music I had written years ago in my daughter's 4th grade class! We hope you'll come and see what two Millbrook gals can do in their spare time! |
| "Princess" Stars Real-Life Couple |
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On any given day at the CENTER, you will find a whole new crop of young actors who are making their presence known theatrically and musically. Victoria McCarthy (above far L.) and Chris Tillson (above far R.) are two such young talented performers who have been taking the CENTER by storm! They first met in a production of Hamlet last fall, and both have since performed in A Streetcar Named Desire, Richard III (see above), and just recently, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Their on stage working relationship became an offstage friendship, but theater is their focus now. In addition to playing the leads in Princess of the Nile (Helenea and Pharaoh Altrusis), the two have been rehearsing tirelessly for this fall's production of Cabaret. Tori stars as torchy cabaret performer, Sally Bowles, and Chris dances in the men's ensemble, a tribute to the versatility of these young actors. With their demanding schedules of work, school, rehearsals and performances, it's fortunate that they can share their love of theater and music together.
You don't want to miss their charming performances in
Princess of the Nile! |
| "Princess" Born at Dutchess Day |
It's amazing what can come out of a simple homework assignment! 13 years ago, my daughter's 4th grade teacher at Dutchess Day School asked me to direct a play connected with their study of Ancient Egypt. I decided to challenge myself and not only direct, but write a musical on that very theme. After researching historical fact about a Pharaoh who married a Greek slave girl and reading a charming fable about golden slippers and an Egyptian Cinderella, I wrote a show for the students which I called Princess of the Nile! Over the years, I've added characters and songs and changed the plot. Last year, Lou Trapani, the CENTER's Artistic Managing Director offered to co-produce with me the result of that assignment so many years ago at DDS where a "Princess" was born! It's truly exciting to see the music and ideas come together on stage through everyone's creative efforts and hard work. Above is a picture of the show in 1994 at DDS, with my daughter, Alex (far R.), in the role of Horus, falcon-god of the Pharaoh, currently played by Terry Weaver. I certainly hope you'll join our 2007 cast, and if you listen carefully, you'll hear Alex on percussion, 13 years later, carrying on the family tradition of making music! |
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Dear Friends & Family,
Hope you can join me for this exciting event at the CENTER! And stay tuned for my next issue.
Barbara Rankin...from InsideThe Music Room |
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FEATURED ARTICLE
"Princess of the Nile" Debuts |
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The tale you are about to hear began long time ago
And let there be no doubt or fear, the things I speak are so
The place is Ancient Egypt and the time, of course, B.C.
But how it all did happen thus, is still a mystery!
And a mystery it is! Just when the Feast of the Pharaoh is to begin and everyone in the land is preparing for a grand Festival of dancing, singing, games, and wonderful food, a pair of beautiful, delicate golden slippers has been stolen from the palace. A search is on, and the destiny of Egypt is at stake, because of an old prophecy. So begins my interpretation of the Cinderella tale retold in Ancient Egypt with an exciting cast of characters. There is a kindly old wealthy merchant, a trio of ill-tempered Egyptian scheming ladies, an earnest young Pharaoh and his clever right-hand man, and of course, a kind and beautiful young servant girl who yearns for her heart's greatest wishes! I've written a score full of fun and light-hearted songs that I hope you'll be whistling or singing as you leave the theater. There are plot twists and turns and in the end, everyone gets what they have set in motion, even a wise and magical Egyptian god, Horus, who hopes to fulfill the destiny of his Pharaoh and a lovely maid. As he proclaims:
That these two paths should intersect, a miracle, indeed!
The elements are in their place, now let the tale proceed!
And I hope you will! Proceed, that is, to Route 308 and join me at the CENTER for the Performing Arts at Rhinebeck for the premiere of Princess of the Nile.
Showtimes are as follows:
Thurs, Aug. 23 at 7 PM
Fri, Aug. 24 at 7 PM
Sat, Aug. 25 at 11 AM & 7 PM
Sun., Aug 26 at 3 PM.
The show runs just a little over an hour and tickets are $10 for Kids and Seniors, $12 for Adults.
For ticket info and reservations call 845-876-3080.
REMEMBER EVENING SHOWS ARE AT 7:00 PM!!!
See you at the CENTER!!
The CENTER for Performing Arts is located on Route 308, 3.5 miles east of the light in the Village of Rhinebeck.
845-876-3080 |
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