Arts to flourish on campus this winter

By Andrea Ragni

Killers may be saved this season at the Center for Performing arts.

The play "Dead Man Walking," based on an attempted exoneration of a death row inmate, joins other shows to start in the coming months -- including dance and musical recitals.

* One of the first events this quarter is Charisma, which program directors say incorporates the faith and spirituality of the show's performers through art, music, dance and spoken word. The show will be performed at the Fess Parker Studio Theater on Friday, Jan. 14 and Saturday, Jan. 15, at 8 p.m., and Sunday Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. Audience members are asked to pay what they can, with a suggested admission cost of $5.

* A pinnacle of the Performing Arts season will be the production of the drama, "Dead Man Walking." The play will be presented as a joint project between the Santa Clara Law School and the Bannan Center for Jesuit Education. Under the artistic direction of Barbara M. Fraser, students Jenn Bevard and Claire Larsen will be directing the show.

Based on the book by Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J., and the screenplay by Tim Robbins, "Dead Man Walking" chronicles the experiences of death row inmate Matthew Poncelet and his spiritual relationship with Prejean.

A panel discussion led by Associate Professor of Law Ellen Kreitzberg will accompany the performance. It will open at the Fess Parker Studio Theatre Friday on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. There will be additional performances Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $14 for general admission, $12 for faculty and staff, and $5 for students on Friday and Saturday. Sunday's tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for faculty and staff and $5 for students.

* A recital will feature music faculty members coming together for "An Evening of Jazz." This program will showcase the talents of Santa Clara faculty featuring jazz piano, brass and strings. The recital takes place on Friday Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. in the Recital Hall. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for faculty, staff and seniors and $5 for students.

Another faculty music recital will take place on Jan. 30. It will feature Chamber Music by duos, trios and quartets performing 19th and 20th century repertoire. This performance will take place at 7 p.m. in the Recital Hall. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for faculty and staff, and $5 for students.

* One of the biggest dance productions of the year is "Images 2005," which is a complex dance display featuring faculty and student choreography. Under the direction of Fran Atlas-Lara, dance styles such as jazz, modern and classical ballet will be showcased through the many talented students who perform in this show. "Images" shows will be held at Mayer Theater and will begin on Thursday, Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. and continue throughout the weekend on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for faculty and staff and $5 for students on Sunday and Thursday. Friday and Saturday tickets are $14, $12 and $5.

* "The Magic Flute" is a production that will delight any fan of Mozart. Under the musical direction of Nancy Wait-Kromm, and stage direction by Joshua Elder, Santa Clara music students, faculty and alumni come together to present this classic operatic piece. "The Magic Flute" will be presented in English, and will take place in the Recital Hall beginning Friday Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. It will continue throughout the weekend with performances Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for faculty and staff and $5 for students.

* "Blithe Spirit," a play written by Noel Coward comes to Mayer Theater under the direction of Tom Gough. This comedy about supernatural ideas and forms is guaranteed to be very thought-provoking. Performances are Feb. 25-27 and March 2-5. They will be at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for faculty and staff and $5 for students from Sunday through Thursday. Tickets are $14, $12 and $5, respectively, on Friday and Saturday.

* The Winter Orchestra Concert, conducted by Emily Ray, will feature the Santa Clara Orchestra performing music from numerous movies and cartoons. This musical experience is unique and very entertaining. The performance takes place March 4 at 8 p.m. in the Mission Church. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for faculty and staff and $5 for students.

* The Winter Choral Concert, conducted by Thomas Colohan, takes place on Friday March 11 at 8 p.m. in the Mission Church. This concert features the Santa Clara Choral Ensemble, which will present "Crossing the Pond." This piece includes music from England and America. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for faculty and staff and $5 for students.

* One of the last performing arts events to take place on campus this quarter is the Cabaret Metro, directed by Mark Monday. This program includes the hard work of Musical Theatre Production students. The evening will take the form of a cabaret lounge style with many cabaret-style torch songs. Cabaret Metro will be on Friday March 11 at 8 p.m. and Saturday March 12 at both 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. at the Fess Parker Studio Theatre. Tickets are $5.

* The Center for Performing Arts will be presenting shows beginning this weekend, and will have events taking place almost every weekend of the quarter. For more information on any of these performances, contact the Center for Performing Arts at (408) 554-4565 or visit their Web site at www.scu.edu/cpa.

* Contact Andrea Ragni at (408) 554-4546 or aragni@scu.edu.