Southern favorite Steel Magnolias headlines fall music and theatre events on campus

The plot of the play, which is set in a fictional northwestern Louisiana parish and was made into a movie in 1989, revolves around the bond and underlying friendship of a group of women in a Southern small town and how they cope with the death of one of their own.

Tickets for Steel Magnolias can be purchased online or by calling the Longwood Box Office at 434-395-2474. Regular ticket prices are $8 for Longwood students; $10 for senior citizens, other students and Longwood faculty and staff; and $15 general admission.

In December, the theatre program will close out the semester with two performances of A Christmas Carol at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, in the Readers Theatre. Based on the novella by Charles Dickens, the Longwood production was adapted by Zoe Speas, the daughter of the show’s director, Bruce Speas, associate professor of theatre history and directing.

Scarrow said the Steel Magnolias matinee on Sunday, Oct. 22, was marketed to local high schools so that high school students could come see the show, meet the actors and crew and then tour the theatre facilities. That show is already sold out.

“This is a season where there is something for everyone—including the Southern woman and those who love the holidays,” Scarrow said. “Both of these shows will not only entertain but our hope is the shows might spark the interest of the high school students who attend the matinees and motivate them to take a serious look at Longwood as their future home as a college student.”

Also, next week Jarman Auditorium will host two exciting student music performances. The Wind Symphony will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19. On Saturday, Oct. 21, the Honors Choir will join with the University Choir, Camerata and Chamber Singers for a concert at 3 p.m.

“We invite the greater Farmville community to come explore live music concerts at Longwood,” said Dr. Pamela McDermott, associate professor and director of choral activities and chair of the music department. “Come as you are or cap off an evening out with orchestra, band, choir, jazz, percussion, faculty, student and guest artist performances—there’s something for everyone!”

Parking for all concerts in Wygal Hall is in the faculty/staff lot behind Wygal and the Greenwood Library, or in the faculty/staff lots along Pine Street. Parking for concerts in Jarman Auditorium is in the Wheeler Lot.

Longwood University Music Department Fall Schedule

• October 19—Wind Symphony, 7:30 p.m. in Jarman Auditorium
• October 21—Honors Choir with University Choir, Camerata and Chamber Singers, 3 p.m. in Jarman Auditorium
• October 24—Student Recital: Jabrond Gamble, tuba, 7:30 p.m.
• October 26—Chamber Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. in Jarman Auditorium
• October 28—Student Recital: Daniel Ellis, trombone, Austin Overstreet, saxophone, 4 p.m.
• October 29—Chamber Music Series: Paul Bempechat, piano, 4 p.m.
• November 7—Percussion Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. in Jarman Auditorium
• November 10—Student recital: Malik Thornton, percussion, 7:30 p.m.
• November 14— University Choir, Camerata and Chamber Singers: Songs for the Common Good, 7:30 p.m. in Jarman Auditorium
• November 18—Student recital: Sarah Olivar, soprano, 4 p.m.
• November 19—Guest Artist Recital: Jim Kidd, piano, 4 p.m.

All concerts are held in the Molnar Recital Hall in Wygal Hall unless otherwise stated. Times and concerts are subject to change, so please check www.longwood.edu/music for up-to-date performance information. For more information, contact the Department of Music at 434-395-2504.