Sondheim Salute

(Continued from page 83)

productions of Sondheim's short-lived 1981 Broadway musical "Merrily We Roll Along" and the anthology "Side By Side By Sondheim," a discussion of the theater industry and Sondheim's influence by N.Y. Times arts and leisure reporter Samuel G. Freedman, and a panel discussion on Broadway and musical theater with Sondheim, Freedman, UB theater department chairman Langdon Brown, and UB music department chairman Robert Regan.

Tim Fischer, who worked for our years as an associate for group and merchandising with the New York Shakespeare Festival, has joined the Jacobson-Wilder Inc. talent agency.

Salute Sondheim

Bridgeport, Conn., Feb. 19.

Stephen Sondheim is being honored by the U. of Bridgeport during its Mertens Contemporary Composers' Festival Thursday (21)-March 4. The annual festival is named in memory of Andre Mertens, former chairman of the board of Columbia Artists Management.

This year's festival will include
(Continued on page 86)

Office receipts for
and for the corresponding
weeks of 1974-75 and 1964-65, as
runs running those respective

weeks. In addition, it lists the
for the respective seasons thus far
bers of playing weeks for the co
respective seasons. (E indicates that

(37th WEEK OF SEASON)

BROADWAY

| | This Season | 1983-84 Season | 1979 Season |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Last Week** | 20 | 22 | |
| **Weeks to Date** | 707 | 763 | |
| **Agency Last Week** | 52.6% | 59.9% | |
| **Agency to Date** | 52.1% | 55.1% | |
| **Last Week** | 128,738 (70.2%) | 141,556 (68.7%) | |
| **Weeks to Date** | 5,014,836 (75.2%) | 5,339,154 (75.8%) | |
| **Last Week** | $3,856,910 | $4,084,325 | |
| **Receipts to Date** | $147,268,188 | $152,225,667 | |
| **Transmission Last Week** | $29.96 | $2 | |
| **Date** | 16 | | |

RC

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Last Week** | 25 | |
| **Date** | 697 | |
| **Week** | $5,350,387 | $ |
| **Receipts to Date** | $148,496,868 | $123,000,000 |

COM

1,404
$295,765,056

before.

Spray cautions that such org
centages will not be duplicated.
season, but that, after many year.
the Alley is on solid financial
ground.

Julie Goell has staged "Rent
Strike," a comedy-drama by Jack
Kellner, presented by the East Man-
hattan Community Theatre Group
Inc., through Tuesday (26) at the
Jan Hus Playhouse, N.Y.

STEPHEN SONDHEIM

Stephen Sondheim is one of the most innovative artists in musical theater today. The New York Times described "Sunday in the Park with George" as "perhaps the first truly modernist work of musical theater that Broadway has produced."

Sondheim was the protege of Oscar Hammerstein II, who he knew growing up as a child. He credits his passion for songwriting to the influence of Hammerstein.

His career is also intertwined with other great names in musical theater. Since his career began professionally in the 1950s, Sondheim has worked with Richard Rogers, George Abbott, Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Harold Prince and Michael Bennett.

He has won four Tony Awards for his work as a composer and lyricist. He wrote the scores for "Merrily We Roll Along," "Sweeney Todd," "A Little Night Music," "The Frogs," "Follies," "Company," "Anyone Can Whistle," and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." He was the lyricist for "West Side Story," "Gypsy," and "Do I Hear a Waltz," and wrote the film scores for "Stavisky" and "Reds."

He is a member of the council of the Dramatists Guild, the National Association of Playwrights, Composers and Lyricists, and served as its president from 1973 to 1981. He is also a member of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.

ANDRÉ MERTENS

CLARA MERTENS

A festival honoring a living American Composer was inaugurated on the University of Bridgeport campus in 1970 under the sponsorship of Ruth Carlson Horn and the then Carlson Foundation. The first composer so honored was David Amram. Between the years 1975 and 1977 festivals honoring Paul Creston, Vincent Persichetti, and Aaron Copland were funded by the William and Philip Carlson Fund of the Bridgeport Area Foundation. In 1980 the festival was endowed with a bequest from Mrs. André Mertens of Westport, Connecticut, and given the name it presently bears.

The purpose of the festival is to focus attention upon American composers of senior rank and introduce them and their work to the UB community. Each festival includes student and faculty performances of the composer's works, a critical introduction to the composer, and an opportunity for the composer to discuss a topic of his or her choice.

**Karen Elsesser:** Miss Elsesser, a graduate of W.C.S.U. now resides in N.Y.C., where she recently sang at Rachel's Night Club. She returned to Ct. for a special performance for Governors O'Neill and Cuomo, among others, at the Governor's Conference in Danbury, Ct. Audiences have enjoyed Karen's work at Candlewood Playhouse, in musical revues with Blake/Berg Productions at York County Summer Theatre in Maine, and in *West Side Story* at Westage. Karen is currently continuing her singing and acting training at H.B. studios.

**Jerold Goldstein:** Jerold has been seen throughout the North East in regional and dinner theatres in such roles as Nathan Detroit in "Guys and Dolls", Uncle Max in "The Sound of Music", Applegate in "Damn Yankees", and his favorite, Ben Franklin in "1776". Besides being an actor, Jerold is a comedian, magician and a composer/lyricist. He has written two musicals which were produced at Carnegie-Mellon University and Ithaca College, and an original ballet, performed at the Strand Theatre. Jerold can be seen as Freddy Fisher in the upcoming film "Zeisters".

**Janice Hamilton:** Janice is a native of Philadelphia, where she served as the television spokeswoman for the Phillies baseball team for two years. Equally at home on television and stage, she has been seen in such varying roles as Anne in "Anne of A Thousand Days", Sally Bowles in "Cabaret" and Adelaide in "Guys and Dolls". Janice's most memorable moment on stage occurred when her costume burst into flames while lighting a cigarette in "Chapter Two" causing her to give the hottest performance of her career. She is currently in rehearsal for a workshop production of "When She Was Young and Beautiful", a new play with music headed for Broadway.

**Peter Randazzo:** An alumnus of the University of Bridgeport with a B.M., Peter recently appeared off-Broadway in "Streetsongs", with Miss Geraldine Fitzgerald at the Actors Playhouse as a cabaret performer. Peter has just returned from Hollywood, where he appeared in the "Pepsi Campaign '85' Premiere Show" with Lionel Richie. His stock and dinner theatre credits include, Tony in "West Side Story", Lt. Cable in "South Pacific", and Gad in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". When not performing, Peter writes and records radio jingles for Lamar Productions.

**Karen Weixeldorfer** (director/choreographer) Karen is very pleased to return to the University of Bridgeport to direct "Side by Side by Sondheim". A U.B. graduate with a B.A. in Theatre Arts, Karen directed "Jacques Brel", "Side by Side", and "Company" here at the university for its 1979 Summer Musical Theatre Season. Currently, Miss Weixeldorfer is the resident director of the American Theatre Banquet, Co., staging musicals for The Spinning Wheel Inn, Redding, CT. and The Gables Inn, Lenox, MA. As an actress, Karen's favorite roles include, Doris in "Same Time Next Year" (which she performed at the Sheraton Dinner Theatre, Vero Beach, Fla.), Jenny in "Chapter Two" (for the Madison Arts Council), and Jill in "Butterflies are Free" here at U.B., too many years ago to mention!

**Terrence Greenawalt** is a native of Pennsylvania. Dr. Greenawalt received his B.S. degree from West Chester State College, West Chester, Pennsylvania; and both his M.A. and Ph.D. from the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York. At present he is coordinator of Theoretical Studies at the University of Bridgeport and director of the Concert Band and Trombone Choir. He has presented numerous solo and duo piano recitals and is bass trombonist with the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Orchestra. For several years he has been conductor and arranger for the New York Brass Conference. He was recently awarded the Phi Mu Alpha Orpheus Award "for significant and lasting contributions to the cause of music in America."

**Art Bellucci** of North Haven, Ct. is a 1976 graduate of the University of Bridgeport receiving a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. Most recently he has attained a Master of Fine Arts degree from Wesleyan University.

Art is past winner of The Young Artists piano competition sponsored by The Bridgeport Orchestra. In 1977 his score for the film "Hey Monkey Man" was awarded the New England Film Festival first prize.

He has performed as part of The Summer Series at The Levih Pavillion in Westport, The Conn. Experimental Theatre, Theatre In The Park in New Haven and The University Players.

Art teaches choral music in the West Haven School systems and at Notre Dame High School in West Haven.

# SYNOPSIS OF SCENES

## Act I

Scene 1 - 1980 - Graduation Day, Lake Forest Academy
"The Hills of Tomorrow" - Company
"Merrily We Roll Along" - Company

Scene 2 - One year *earlier* (1979) Bel Air, California, Patio
"Rich and Happy" - Frank, Mary, Company

Scene 3 - Four years *earlier* (1975) Chic Hollywood Restaurant
"Old Friend - Like It Was" - Mary

Scene 4 - Two years *earlier* (1973) T.V. Studio, New York City
"Franklin Shepard, Inc." - Charlie

Scene 5 - Five years *earlier* (1968) Penthouse Apartment,
New York City
"Old Friend" - Frank, Mary, Charlie

Scene 6 - Two years *earlier* (1966) Courthouse, New York City
"Not a Day Goes By" - Beth
"Now You Know" - Mary, Charlie, Frank, Joe, Company

## Act II

Scene 1 - Two years *earlier* (1964) In front of the Alvin Theatre,
New York City
"It's a Hit" - Joe, Mary, Frank, Charlie

Scene 2 - Two years *earlier* (1962) Garden of a Brownstone in the
East Sixties
"The Blob" - Company
"Good Thing Going" - Charlie and Frank

Scene 3 - Two years *earlier* (1960) Nite Club, Greenwich Village
"Bobby, Jackie, Jack" - Frank, Beth, Charlie
"Not a Day Goes By" (Reprise) - Frank and Mary
"Good Thing Going" (Reprise) - Mary

Scene 4 - One year *earlier* (1959-1957) Around Manhattan
"Opening Doors" - Frank, Charlie, Mary, Joe, Beth

Scene 5 - 1957 - 5:30 A.M. Fire Escape 110th St. New York City
"Our Time" - Frank, Charlie, Mary, and Company

Scene 6 - 1955 and 1980, Lake Forest Academy
The "Hills of Tomorrow" - Company

Arts

Office of Communications, Park Hall, Bridgeport CT 06601—(203) 576-4518

Contact: Ken Best (576-4525)

MERTENS FESTIVAL HONORS SONDHEIM AT UB

Stephen Sondheim, one of Broadway's most successful composers, will be honored at the University of Bridgeport Feb. 21 - March 4 during the 1985 Mertens Contemporary Composer's Festival.

The Festival will include performances of "Merrily We Roll Along," a Sondheim musical, and "Side By Side By Sondheim," an anthology of the composer's work. There will also be a panel discussion about Broadway and musical theater which features the composer, a New York Times Arts and Leisure reporter and UB students and faculty.

"Merrily We Roll Along" will be performed by UB students Feb. 21, 22, 23, 28 and March 1 and 2 in the Mertens Theater of UB's Bernhard Center. The production will be directed by Matt Conley with Henry Aaron as the musical director. The musical will be presented jointly by the UB theater and music departments. Tickets are $5 and $6, with discounts for students, senior citizens and group sales.

"Side By Side By Sondheim" will be performed by an ensemble of UB music and theater alumni on March 3 and 4, in the Recital Hall of the Bernhard Center. Tickets are $5.

On March 1, Sondheim will visit the UB campus to meet with students. At 10:30 a.m. in the Recital Hall of the Bernhard Center there will be a discussion of the theater industry and Sondheim's influence by Samuel G. Freedman, a reporter for the New York Times Arts and Leisure section, who covers the theater industry.

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MERTENS FESTIVAL/2

Following a private luncheon, Sondheim will participate in a panel discussion on Broadway and musical theater with Freedman, UB Theater Department chairman Langdon Brown, and UB Music Department chairman Robert Regan. Students will present questions to the panel. The discussion will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Bernhard Center.

The Mertens Contemporary Composer's Festival annually attracts distinguished American composers to meet with the University community and be honored by performances of their compositions.

The Festival is named in memory of Andre Mertens, former chairman of the board of Columbia Artists Management. The purpose of the Festival is to focus attention upon American composers of senior rank and introduce them and their work to the University community.

For more information, contact the Bernhard Center Box Office weekdays from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at 576-4399.

###

Arts

STEPHEN SONDHEIM

Stephen Sondheim is the most innovative force in musical theater
today. The New York Times described his current Broadway hit, "Sunday
in the Park with George" as "perhaps the first truly modernist work of
musical theater that Broadway has produced."

He is a member of the council of the Dramatists Guild, the national
association of playwrights, composers and lyricists, and served as its
president from 1973 to 1981. He is also a member of the American Academy
and Institute of Arts and Letters.

# Arts

## THE MERTENS CONTEMPORARY COMPOSER'S FESTIVAL

The Mertens Contemporary Composer's Festival at the University of Bridgeport annually attracts distinguished American composers to lecture and be honored by performances of their compositions.

The Festival operates under an endowment from the Andre and Clara Mertens Fund.

The purpose of the Festival is to focus attention upon American composers of senior rank and introduces them and their work to the University community. Each Festival includes student and faculty performances of the composer's works, a critical introduction to the composer and an opportunity for the composer to discuss a topic of his or her choice.

### Composers who have been honored include:

<table><tr><td>1970-71</td><td>David Amram</td><td>1977-78</td><td>Ellie Siegmeister</td></tr><tr><td>1971-72</td><td>Virgil Thomson</td><td>1978-79</td><td>Howard Hanson</td></tr><tr><td>1972-73</td><td>Norman Dello Joio</td><td>1979-80</td><td>Dave Brubeck</td></tr><tr><td>1973-74</td><td>Alan Hovhaness</td><td>1980-81</td><td>Morton Gould</td></tr><tr><td>1974-75</td><td>Paul Creston</td><td>1981-82</td><td>Ned Rorem</td></tr><tr><td>1975-76</td><td>Vincent Persichetti</td><td>1982-83</td><td>Randall Thompson</td></tr><tr><td>1976-77</td><td>Aaron Copland</td><td>1983-84</td><td>Lukas Foss</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>1984-85</td><td>Stephen Sondheim</td></tr></table>

UNIVERSITY
OF
MCM
BRIDGEPORT
XXVII

Arts

ANDRE AND CLARA MERTENS BIOGRAPHY

Andre and Clara Mertens have devoted their lives to the arts. Until his death in 1963, Andre Mertens was immersed in the world of music as an innovator, patron and manager. Clara Mertens shared fully in her husband's devotion to music and today continues to be active in supporting those activities.

Andre Mertens was the son of Otto Mertens, whose "Komische Oper" in Berlin was the most progressive and experimental opera company of its time. Andre joined his father's opera and concert management business after completing studies at the University and the Conservatory in Berlin. He worked with the leading artists of the day and arranged festivals and performances in Europe and South America.

In 1929, after Germany nationalized all private musical management, Andre was appointed director of the opera division of the German Ministry of the Fine Arts. In 1933, he was removed from the post because of his opposition to Nazi policies and for the next several years he operated his own concert business in Vienna and Paris. In 1938, he arrived in New York and associated with Columbia Artists Management.

Believing that music is an international language that builds cultural bridges between nations, Andre Mertens inaugurated a program of musical exchange between North and South America. He also brought many of Europe's leading artists to America and sent many American artists abroad. He arranged the first conducting engagements abroad for the young Leonard Bernstein.

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MERTENS/2

Following World War II, he pioneered musical exchanges between the United States, Germany and Austria and was a key figure in reestablishing cultural relations between those nations. Germany and Austria each decorated him in recognition of his efforts.

At the time of his death, Andre Mertens was chairman of the board of Columbia Artists Management.

Clara Mertens was an accomplished sportswoman before her marriage, a golf champion of Vienna. She worked with her husband and shared his interest in music.

Today she carries on the Mertens tradition in helping to bring outstanding music to Connecticut. The Mertens Theater in the University of Bridgeport's Arnold Bernhard Arts and Humanities Center is named in honor of the Mertens' activities. The Mertens Contemporary Composers Festival is named in his memory.

Clara Mertens directs the activities of the Mertens Fund, which has sponsored UB's annual Contemporary Composer's Festival. She also helped to establish the Andre Mertens Galleries for Musical Instruments at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, which is a collection of historical musical instruments.

###