curtain's up
cabaret, a night of gershwin
Conductor
Cheung Chau
Director & Choreographer
Jennifer Delac
Music Director
Marilee Wilson
Concert Hall
January 24–25, 2024
7:30 p.m.
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Dean's Message
About the Performance
Personnel
Program
Biographies
Give to the School of the Arts
Coming Soon
Dean's Message
The arts possess the sublime power to inspire, engage, and transform. Just as a solitary
note holds the ability to captivate, a single voice, gesture, or melody possesses
the ineffable power to carry us away.
We invite you to embark upon a new journey with us this season at The Noorda Center—home
to inspiring events and an exciting hub for the arts in Utah County. Our mission is
to produce and present artistic excellence, which would not be possible without the
generous support of our donors and sponsors. We thank them and express our deep gratitude
to all patrons, supporters, and friends of The Noorda Center.
Thank you for journeying with us this season to experience the profound and transformative
power of the arts!
Courtney R. Davis, J.D., M.A.
Dean, School of the Arts
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about the performance
Join us for an evening of song featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin! Enjoy
tunes from their most beloved musicals, including Crazy for You and An American in Paris, alongside some lesser-known gems from their songbook. The evening will showcase
a live, full orchestra, presenting this music as it was meant to be heard. Of course,
no Gershwin evening would be complete without dancing, performed to these toe-tapping
and swoon-worthy melodies.
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Arrangements for tonight's music, performed by the UVU Chamber Orchestra, have been
created by faculty and students of the UVU Commercial Music Program:
Julianna Carlson (Current UVU Commercial Music Student)
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off
Little Jazz Bird
Isaac Lucero (UVU Commercial Music Alumni)
But Not for Me
Fidgety Feet
Hello Good Morning
AJ Peery & Dr. Charlie Han
Someone To Watch Over Me
Dr. Charlie Han
Fascinating Rhythm
S’Wonderful
Shall We Dance
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Production team
Producer
La Beene
Director
Jennifer Delac
Production Stage Manager
Ele Rose
Lighting Design
Caleb Wallengren
Assistant Director
Mya Odom
Associate Choreographer
Emily Porter
cast
Abby Fillmore
Adam Moore
Chloe Henry
Delanie Foreman
Fiorella Pulido (Dance Captain)
Hayden Mecham
Hunter Hogan
Ian Morgan
Isabella Henao
Jennilene Ness Ward
Mackenzie Turner (Dance Captain)
Nathan Bowser
Rachel Naylor
Sasha Wilkinson
Taylor Ann Jaeger
production crew
Light Board Operator: Caleb Wallengren
A2: Katie Higbee
Deck Crew: Douglas Wadley and Kennedie Young
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program
FASCINATING RHYTHM
Sung by Hayden Mecham + Entire Company
Choreographed by Emily Porter
LET’S CALL THE WHOLE THING OFF
Sung by Sasha Wilkinson and Nathan Bowser
Choreographed by Jen Delac
FUNNY FACE
Sung by Hunter Hogan
HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON
Sung by Chloe Henry
HANG ON TO ME
Sung by Hayden Mecham and Abby Fillmore
Choreographed by Emily Porter
LITTLE JAZZ BIRD
Sung by Adam Moore
Choreographed by Jen Delac
EMBRACEABLE YOU
Sung by Mackenzie Turner Featuring Adam Moore
Choreographed by Jen Delac
BUT NOT FOR ME
Sung by Sasha Wilkinson
HELLO GOOD MORNING
Sung by Full Company
FIDGETY FEET
Sung by Nathan Bowser and Ian Purser
Danced by Fiorella Pulido and Jennilene Ness Ward
Choreographed by Emily Porter
SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME
Sung by Taylor Ann Jaeger
NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT
Sung by Jennilene Ness Ward
BOY WANTED
Sung by Abby Fillmore + Female Ensemble
S’WONDERFUL
Sung by Nathan Bowser, Ian Purser, Hayden Mecham
SHALL WE DANCE
Sung by Fiorella Pulido
THE MAN I LOVE
Sung by Delanie Foreman
I’VE GOT A CRUSH ON YOU
Sung by Adam Moore and Mackenzie Turner
Choreographed by Jen Delac
TREAT ME ROUGH
Sung by Isabella Henao
I’VE GOT RHYTHM
Sung by Rachel Naylor with Full Ensemble
Choreographed by Jen Delac
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biographies
Abby Fillmore
Abby is thrilled to be apart of this amazing concert!
She is in the BFA Musical Theatre program here at UVU . She was recently seen in UVU's
production of Ozma of Oz, Hello Girls HCTO as Helen Hill, and Sister Act HCTO as Sister Mary Robert. Abby is so excited to get to perform some fun, classic
Gershwin music in this beautiful concert hall with all her friends. Thank you to my
family and friends for all your love and support! Another thank you to Jen Delac,
our wonderful Director/Choreographer, for making this such a wonderful experience!
Adam Moore
Adam is a Sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program here and is excited to be performing
in his first UVU production. He has loved singing his whole life, but was introduced
to theatre last year and has found his new passion. Since then, he has enjoyed playing
Race in Sundance Summer Theatre's production of Newsies, as well as Quasimodo In Hunchback of Notre Dame and Frederic in Pirates of Penzance, both performed with the Timpanogos Arts Foundation. This February, you can see Adam
perform as Dickon in Secret Garden with the Timpanogos Arts Foundation.
Instagram: @broadammoore
Caleb Wallengren
Lighting
Designer
Caleb is very grateful for the opportunity to light this wonderful show! His previous
lighting design credits include: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Anastasia, The Pirates of Penzance, The Addams Family, Beauty and The Beast, The Sound of Music (Timpanogos Community Theater), Bandstand, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Les Misérables (DoGood Theater). Caleb is currently studying at Utah Valley University in the BFA
Lighting Design program. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Chloe Henry
Chloe Henry is a senior here at UVU, and she will be finishing out her education with
a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in music. As a "golden girl" of musical theatre,
she could not be more grateful to be singing Gershwin music for her final collegiate
performance. The Golden Age of theatre is stunningly beautiful, and she cannot wait
to share it with you!
Delanie Foreman
Delanie is excited to be in the Gershwin Cabaret! She’s a senior in the musical theater
BFA here at UVU and has recently been in Ijto the Woods as a swing and in Lady M.
Ele Rose
Stage Manager
S
This is Ele's final show here at UVU, and there could not have been a better show
to end with. It has been a gift to work with this cast and production team, and the
only regret they have is that the show has to come to an end.
Fiorella Pulido
Fio is currently a junior pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in French.
She was recently part of UVU’s production of Ozma of Oz, where she portrayed Princess Langwidere. Last year, she performed in HCTO’s How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and in WVPAC’s Legally Blonde as Pilar. She would like to thank her friends and family for their endless love and
support. Lastly, she is so grateful for everyone involved in the Cabaret.
Hayden Mecham
Hayden is a Sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program, and he is so excited to
be returning to the UVU stage! Favorite past roles: Jack (Into the Woods, UVU), TikTok (Ozma of Oz, UVU), Ernst (Spring Awakening, Hart Theatre Co.), Texas (Cabaret, Center for the Arts at Kayenta), and Subconscious B (5150, WSU). He will also be performing in TAG's production of What About Luv on May 9-10 as Harry Berlin. Thank you to my friends and family for all of their
support!
Hunter Hogan
UVU debut! Very excited to share the stage with an amazing cast. Thank you to all
my professors, mentors, directors, crew, family, and friends for all the support.
Ian Morgan
Ian is currently a sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program. He is excited to
show off his singing and dancing skills in his second UVU Main Stage show. He previously
was a Wheeler and a Nome in last semester’s production of Ozma of Oz. He hopes you enjoy the performance!
Isabella Henao
Isabella Henao is excited to make her UVU debut in A Night of Gershwin. Recently, she had the opportunity to work with HBO on the upcoming second season
of The Rehearsal. A proud third-year member of UVU’s acappella group BLOOM, Isabella also enjoys hitting
the gym and drawing in her free time. She thanks her mom for convincing her to leave
her Business Major. To follow her journey you can follow her on Instagram @Isa.Gringalatina.
Jennilene Ness Ward
Jennilene is thrilled to be performing in this production of Curtain's Up: Cabaret
as she makes her debut on the UVU stage. Jennie is a sophomore here in the Musical
Theatre BFA program and has loved learning and growing. Some of Jennie’s recents roles
she’s performed as are Alison in Pinkalicious (HCTO), Ru Ann in May We All (HCT), Daemon in Sleepy Hollow (WVA), and even assistant directed Fiddler on the Roof at the Scera Shell. She gives thanks to all of the wonderful people who have supported
her in her performing journey—including her husband Ryan, her family, her mentors,
directing staff, and stage crew. Jennie hopes you feel excited and inspired as you
watch this thrilling production, and thanks you for supporting the arts!
Mackenzie Turner
This is a bittersweet moment for Kenzie because it’s her LAST show at UVU. A senior
in the BFA Musical Theatre program, she’s fueled by Diet Dr. Pepper and a dream, and
she cannot WAIT to tap dance the night away!
Nathan Bowser
Nathan Bowser is a Senior in the UVU Musical Theatre program. He teaches voice and
studio recording technique. This is his final project here as a student, and he couldn't
be more grateful. He gives sincere thanks to all the faculty and staff who have helped
him get to where he's at.
Rachel Naylor
Rachel Naylor is excited to be a part of her third show here at UVU. She can't wait
to be able to share this Night of Gershwin with you all. Shows she was recently in was Ozma of Oz here at UVU playing Nanda, Jack's Mother in Into The Woods last spring, and Singing In The Rain in the ensemble at the Scerra Outdoor Theater. In her spare time, she loves gaming,
getting out of the house, and staying up to date with her friends. Rachel challenges
you to be like George Gershwin.
"George moved fast, lived fast, studied hard, and learned fast."
-Ira Gershwin
Sasha Wilkinson
Sasha has grown up on Gershwin and Jazz. Past roles include Eurydice/Aphrodite/Q (Metamorphoses),
Cinderella (Into the Woods), Leanne/Helga/Frenchy/Ginny (Puffs…), and Customer Service/Prosecution/Chaplain
(Machinal). Sasha is in her senior year in the BFA Musical Theatre program and did
a theatre study abroad in London and Stratford. She is also an avid singer/lyricist
and has released six singles! She would like to thank the cast, the crew, and her
invaluable community of supportive humans!
IG: @sasha.haydn
Spotify: Sasha Haydn
Taylor Ann Jaeger
Taylor is thrilled to be performing in her first show at UVU! She is currently a Sophomore
in the BFA Musical Theatre program, and has enjoyed every second of it. Last year,
she worked as the assistant music director for Into the Woods here at UVU! Some favorite acting credits of hers include Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Elsa Shraeder in The Sound of Music, and The Witch in Into the Woods. Taylor is deeply passionate about performing and can’t wait to bring this show to
you. Instagram: @taylorannjaeger
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uvu chamber orchestra
Cheung Chau
Director and Conductor
1st Violins
Annalicia Powley
Elsa Saunders
MiKayka Billings
2nd Violins
Rosemary Palmer
Brian Rowe
Violas
McKinley Lucas
Alaina Magill
Vivian Fernandes Gaspar
Makenna Durrant
Cellos
Elise Johnson
Hailey Hannig
McKay Jones
Basses
AJ Peery
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give to the school of the arts
As we prepare to welcome the community to experience the wonder at The Noorda Center,
we'd like to thank you for making it all possible.
The performing arts inspire us to engage with others, discover new ways of thinking
and feeling, and provides us with hope—in short, we believe the arts transform you. As an exciting hub for the arts in Utah County, we produce hundreds of performances
by talented students, faculty, and world-renowned visiting artists. We invite everyone
to join in connecting through the arts.
As part of UVU’s inaugural EverGREEN fundraising campaign, we invite you to make a gift to the UVU School of the Arts.
Your gift not only impacts students success, but ensures programming and exciting
artistic creation continues.
Please make a gift today by clicking below. Thank you!
MAKE A Gift To the school of the arts
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THE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
Department Chair
JEFFREY O'FLYNN
Associate Chair
MELISSA HEATH
Administrative Assistant
CHRIS GINES
Choirs
REED CRIDDLE
CHERILYN WORTHEN
Orchestra/Cello
CHEUNG CHAU
Violin
DONNA FAIRBANKS
Clarinet
JEFFREY O’FLYNN
Trumpet/Music Theory
RYAN NIELSEN
Percussion
SHANE JONES
Piano
HILARY DEMSKE
Jazz/Commercial
DAVID BAKER
Voice
MELISSA HEATH
ISAAC HURTADO
Commercial Music
CHARLIE HAN
TODD SORENSEN
Theory
BRYCE RYTTING
Musicology
ROSS HAGEN
Director of Bands
CHRIS RAMOS
THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE
Chair, Associate Professor
LA BEENE, MFA
Associate Chair, Associate Professor
JULIE HEATON, MFA
Administrative Assistant
CURTIS CLUFF, MFA
Associate Professor
AMANDA CRABB, MM
Assistant Professor
JENNIFER DELAC, MFA
Lecturer
ELIZABETH GOLDEN, MFA
Lecturer
M. CHASE GRANT, MFA
Professor
LISA HALL, PHD
Professor
LAURIE HARROP-PURSER, MFA
Lecturer
SHANNON HUTCHINS, MFA
Associate Professor
JANINE SOBECK KNIGHTON, MFA
Assistant Professor
RICHARD LORIG, MFA
Professor
JOHN NEWMAN, PHD
Assistant Professor
STEVEN RIMKE, MFA
Lecturer
GRAHAM WHIPPLE, MFA
Noorda Center Staff
