Dearly Departed Players’ Cemetery Tour Set for Next Month

Posted on September 5, 2018 by The Dunmorean

Photo Credit: Joyce Black Covaleski

The Dearly Departed Players will host their annual Dunmore Cemetery Tour on both Sunday October 7 and Sunday October 14.

Huge crowds attend this event each year, which has been received the Happenings Magazine “Happie Award” for Best History Centered Event.

Tours begin promptly at 2 p.m. Audience members should arrive early to view exhibits. Comfortable waking shoes are suggested.

Admission is free but folks are asked to bring a non-perishable food item as the players are partnering with Feed-a-Friend again this year.

CaPAA Theater Holds Audition for Disney’s “Newsies”

Posted on September 5, 2018 by The Dunmorean

Open auditions for high school and college students and adults have been scheduled for Sept. 10 and 11 at CaPAA’s Theater at the Ritz for an upcoming production of Disney’s “Newsies.” Auditions are open to all Marywood University students, CaPAA students, and actors from Northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond. For audition details and materials go to www.CaPAA.org.

Production dates for the upcoming production are Dec. 20-23 at CaPAA’s Theater at The Ritz.

The Creative and Performing Arts Academy has helped foster a community of support for the performing arts, making The Ritz Theater a mecca of creativity and inspiration once again. Part of that support comes from an exciting collaboration with Marywood University’s Department of Music-Theater-Dance.

In partnering with Marywood University and its skilled faculty, the possibilities of bringing more top class productions and talent to the Scranton stage is broadened, which enriches the local culture and provides amazing opportunities for our youth. The professional talent and direction from both organizations combine to make a powerhouse team in presenting this winter’s production of Disney’s Newsies!

Collaborative creative team members from CaPAA and Marywood University include: Michael Melcher, producer; Chuck Gorden, associate producer; Mandy Bruno Bogue, director; Sheri Melcher, music director; Cristina Sohns Williams, choreographer, and Michele Gorden, assistant to the director.

There will also be student leadership roles, including a variety of positions giving the opportunity to learn new, or refine existing, technical skills, such as Stage Management, Scenic Design, Stage Technicians, Lighting and Sound Tech.

Mother-Son Duo to Perform at Marywood

Posted on September 5, 2018 by The Dunmorean

Nina Kouznetsov and her son, violinist and cellist, Val Bourgeon, will present their third annual recital on Sunday, Sept. 30, at 3 p.m.

Marywood University’s music, theatre and dance department will host guest performers, Nina Kouznetsov, a pianist who sings in Marywood University’s Concert Choir, and her son, violinist and cellist, Val Bourgeon, for their third annual recital on Sunday, Sept. 30, at 3 p.m.

The recital is free and open to the public and will take place in the Marian Chapel in the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life on the University’s campus.

Natives of Ukraine, Val Bourgeon and Nina Kouznetsov, son and mother, have been performing together for more than 20 years.

Val began his violin studies in Northeastern Pennsylvania at the age of 10 on his request after a few years of piano playing. At age 15, he spent one semester as a music major at Wilkes University and then transferred to Marywood University. Val continued his studies with a violinist from the Philadelphia Orchestra, Dmitri Levin, first privately, and then at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and his master of business administration degree.

His music-related positions include: The Symphony in C, Collingswood, N.J., the Delaware Valley Philharmonics, and as an orchestra conductor at the Pennsauken New Jersey School District. Currently, he teaches several music instruments including violin, cello, piano, flute, and guitar in Moorestown, N.J, and performs at various events.

Nina Kouznetsov graduated in Musicology and Piano Performance from the Preparatory Music School for the Gifted in Kiev, Ukraine. She then went on to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Musicology from the Gnessins Russian Music Academy in Moscow. After immigrating to the United States, her music-related work has included: choir director at Orthodox churches in NEPA; piano instructor at the School of Continuing Education at Marywood University and at her Dunmore studio; and freelance pianist, organist, and cantor.

Having privately studied Byzantine iconography for more than 20 years, she currently teaches iconography workshops in Michigan and at her icon studio in Scranton. Since 2015, she has been affiliated with Marywood University as a freelance accompanist and as a member of the Concert Choir.

For additional information about the Guest Performance, “Violin Recital with a Turn,” at Marywood University, please visit http://www.marywood.edu/mtd/index.html, or call (570) 348-6268.