THE PENDULUM

by Amanda Kennison, April 7, 2009

Last weekend, music theatre students sponsored Grand Night, marking the event's 17th year. In all four shows, the group performed for full houses, with hopeful audience members lining up sometimes an hour in advance.

Grand Night showcases a wide breadth of performance skills found in the performing arts department. But as all the numbers in the show are student auditioned and selected, Grand Night also exhibits the overall understanding students have of planning and executing a successful show. After witnessing this year's program, it becomes all the more evident why the university's department continues to gain national notoriety. 

This Grand Night seemed to be focused on all things big and powerful. Virtually every number brimmed with raw emotion and the fantastic, expressive stage presence that has come to be expected of Elon's music theatre students. Throughout the entirety of the roughly hour-long performance, audience members appeared engaged.

Part of this year's show's appeal lies within the variety it offered. While the department seeks to provide a well-rounded selection for every variety show it offers, the numbers of this Grand Night proved especially impressive. With numbers ranging from Broadway favorites like "Hello Dolly" and "Hairspray" to popular ballads from "Il Divo," the students proved they do not confine themselves to a particular theme or genre.

Although each number was performed with obvious adeptness and great spirit, as with any show, a few performances stood out. For Grand Night XVII, these numbers were "Aggie's Song," "That Smile" and "Webber Love Trio." Both "Aggie's Song"  and "That Smile" were highly energetic numbers with some intense choreography. These two were simply just fun to watch.

"Webber Love Trio," provided a deeply poignant performance that offset many of the night's lighter pieces. The three female performers of this piece each possessed her own distinct sound and style, and all proved brilliant in their song of uncertain and painful love.

In addition to the quality musical performances Grand Night offers, the night also emphasized a sense of community. As the senior class's last major group performance, and the first major group performance for the freshman class, in many ways Grand Night symbolizes the beginning of new chapters. It is clear by the tears shed by many of the performers that a tight bond exists between the students. As senior Anna Kimmel explained, Grand Night is as much about the students performing for one another and being together one last time on stage as it is a show to entertain audiences.

While each class of music theatre majors performed a number of its own, the last performance of the show brought students from all classes together on stage. This year's final piece proved even more special for the occasion, because it was composed by two student performers.

Senior Dan Gibson created the music, while junior Christopher Staskel wrote the lyrics for "I Will Turn to You." This original piece managed to capture the overall spirit of togetherness and fun that ran throughout the show.

From the opening number that showcased the budding talents of the freshman class to the finale, which highlighted the general excellence of all involved with the program, Grand Night proved to be a night, or rather nights, to remember.