The original musical theatre show, “Stories and Dreams,” which premiered this past August, will be performed again on Saturday, October 23. The show, written by Professor Emeritus Frank Pullano, ’56, and produced by David Culver, ’02, takes the form of a "dessert theater" (as opposed to a dinner theater"), and will occur in the Williams Center Multipurpose Room during Family Weekend on the SUNY Fredonia campus. The event begins with dessert at 6 p.m. with the show to follow at 7 p.m.
The show’s August premier was “an enormous success” according to Mr. Culver. It was over-sold, however, causing dozens of people to miss out, which is why it is being brought back as one of the main events for this year’s Family Weekend, Culver added.
Students and their families, along with faculty, staff and the community are welcome. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for students and family registered with the Campus Life Office for Family Weekend. A group rate of $17.50 per person for groups of five or more with a maximum of 20 people is also offered.
“Stories and Dreams” is a series of real-life vignettes woven together by an engaging and diverse musical score. Each vignette has its own story, song and vivid characters, and is full of clean and lively humor. It was first staged 10 years ago as a performance project. With an expanded cast, some restructuring and the addition of new stories and music, it has been reworked for new audiences.
The actors include two current students within SUNY Fredonia’s School of Music, one alumnus, and a community member. The show also features a song about the Village of Fredonia.
Kyle Sackett of Webster, N.Y., and Anna Atwater of Barker, N.Y., are junior Music Education majors and voice students. Sackett has performed in Opera Scene selections in various Italian venues through the Lyrics Arts-Italy Program and also in the Hillman Opera production of, “La Bohème.” He is president of the Student Opera Theater Association and a member of the Fredonia Chamber Singers. Atwater has been active in ensembles such as the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, College Choir and Masterworks Choir. This summer she attended the Crittenden Opera Workshop in Washington, D.C., and this fall will be performing in the cast of the Hillman Opera, “La Contes d’Hoffmann” (The Tales of Hoffman).
Greg Wollaston of Fredonia received a B.A. in Theater Arts from Fredonia in 1996 and has enjoyed a career of regional, off-Broadway and operatic productions throughout New York and New York City. His most notable roles are Jojo in “The Life,” the emcee in “Cabaret,” and his highly acclaimed one-man-show, “Broadway Bad Boys!” Currently, he is the co-owner of the Buster Brown Bean Company, which operates several foodservice locations on the SUNY Fredonia campus, along with Culver.
Simone Bernhard of Fredonia is a professional vocalist and choral conductor. She most recently appeared in Opera Sacra’s Buffalo production of Leonard Bernstein’s, “MASS.” Bernhard currently serves as director of music at Trinity Episcopal Church in Fredonia, and her husband is chair of Music Education at SUNY Fredonia.
Dr. Pullano is a well known opera and concert artist performing as a soloist as well as with many opera companies including the Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Erie Philharmonic orchestras. He became a faculty member at the Fredonia School of Music in 1960. In 1972 he was appointed Professor, and in 1973 was named an “Outstanding Educator of America.” Pullano has coordinated the annual Hillman Opera at SUNY Fredonia for many years. After he retired from the faculty in 1991, he taught voice and opera for a year at the D’Angelo School of Music at Mercyhurst College. In recent years, Dr. Pullano collaborated with Dr. John Joy in the creation of musicals, “Generation Rag,” and “Daddy’s Little Girl.”
The Buster Brown Bean Company is serving as a corporate sponsor of the event. Further support is provided by the Fredonia Alumni Association and the Fredonia College Foundation.
For tickets or additional information, contact the SUNY Fredonia Ticket Office at 716-673-3501 or online at www.fredonia.edu/tickets/.
