Lynne Kurdziel Formato, associate professor of performing arts, choreographed a professional production of "FAME" for Artpark in Lewiston, N.Y. Directed by Randy Kramer, the show featured 11 current students or alumni of Elon's music theatre program, including Raphael Andrews, Maddie Franke, Clark Kinkade, Em Laudeman, Jared Loftin, Guy Mannick, Ben Redding, Sean Ronayne, Leela Rothenberg, Lucy Ann Werner and Tanner Wilson.
In a review in The Buffalo News, Ben Siegel wrote, “It might have been one of hte most enjoyable nights at the theatre I’ve had in a long time. …Director Randy Kramer and choreographer Lynne Kurdziel Formato, whose collaborations at Artpark and MusicalFare are countless, have captured magic in a bottle with their cast. Seven of the 14 leads hail from the theatre department of Elon University in North Carolina, where Kurdziel Formato is on the faculty. They have been taught well.”
Click here to read more from The Buffalo News’ review.
In a review in The Niagara Gazette, Joshua Maloni wrote, “Though the storyline is a little thin, Artpark & Co.’s production of “FAME – The Musical” does, in fact, light up the sky like a flame. A talented cast and bright, lively dance numbers make up for character deficiencies and odd time jumps. …Still, just when we start to feel frustration pangs, “Fame” bounces back with sharp, albeit busy dance numbers. The dance routines are fun, and tightly choreographed by Lynne Kurdziel-Formato. About halfway through the first act, a magnetic (Lucy Ann) Werner leads the cast in an exhilarating rendition of “There She Goes/Fame,” which is bound to make the audience sing along to the show’s most famous song.”