OLNEY MUSICAL SHOWCASE

4/22/25

The Olney Central College Music Department will present its Spring Musical Theater Showcase at 7 pm on Saturday in the Dr. John D. Stull Performing Arts Center.

Director of Choral Activities Dr. Andrew Pittman said the annual performance has become a highly anticipated tradition, offering students the opportunity to take on leading roles and to gain valuable performance experience.

“The students really prefer the musical theater pieces to traditional choral works,” he said.  “It’s fun for them, and for me too.  I’m excited about this show and encourage the community to enjoy an evening of music while supporting our students.  This is another great group of kids.  We’ve become like a family.  They’re always looking out for each other, and they’ve been wonderful to work with.”

This year’s show will feature three numbers from the 1975 award-winning musical Chicago.  Set in the jazz age and based on real events, this satirical show follows performers Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, who find fame not just for their talent, but for their ties to sensationalized murders.  Selections will include We Both Reached for the Gun with the Billy Flynn solo performed by Nathaniel Garrison, Roxie featuring a solo by Genesis Cadwell and Mr. Cellophane, a solo performed by Dyllan Williams.  Other selections will include the disco-inspired Lady in the Long Black Dress from Sister Act, I’m a Big Girl Now from the Tony-award winning Hairspray and A Policeman’s Lot Is Not a Happy One from Gilbert and Sullivan’s 1879 comic opera the Pirates of Penzance.

Sophomore Kylie Rauch will sing the arias Steal Me Sweet Thief from The Old Maid and The Thief, a 1939 English-language radio opera by composer Gian Carlo Menotti, and Deh Vieni Non Tardar from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.  Nathan Blackwell will perform There But for You Go I from the 1947 musical Brigadoon and If Ever I Would Leave You from Camelot.

Admission is free, and donations will be accepted at the door.  Pittman stressed Music Department Tuition Waivers are still available for 2025-2026.  He encourages both current and incoming students to contact him about opportunities within the program at pittmana@iecc.edu, or 618-395-7777, ext. 2252.