UPDATE Cabrini recording 'dances' into stores

by Mary Eileen O'Connor

features editor Cabrini's theater department has boldly gone where very few college theater departments have gone before.

Cast members of the musical "Dance on a Country Grave," which was produced at the college in the spring of 1998, have recorded a CD of music from the play. Although the play has been produced on several stages since it was written in 1973, this CD is the first-ever recording of its music. Critics around the country have described the music as "haunting" and "lyrical" and the musical itself as a "fantasy of magical proportions."

Producing a recording of this play' s music is something Theater Director Neal Newman had thought about for some time. He contacted the author, who he said was thrilled at the possibility of making a CD.

However, this type of recording is not made overnight. Newman, who had a role in the play in addi- cover of "Dance on a Country Grave"CO tion to directing, admitted that it is a "very complicated process," which few college theater departments undertake. Once it was decided that the cast would go ahead with the project, they recorded an initial demo of about three songs. the entire cast gathered at Perfection Audio studio in Springfield to perform 14 songs from the musical. Several students were cast members and alumna Mia Fitzgerald, a senior at the time, designed the CD cover. Junior Shannon Downs relished her involvement in the making of the CD. "I got to work with talented people," she said. "We were like a big family." She is proud that she will "have something to show my kids and grandkids."

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The CD "Dance on a Country Graven will be available in musical theater outlets and local music stores sometime in March.

Other students who performed on the CD are senior Kellie O'Neill, sophomore Nick Reilly and junior Lisa Nicole Finegan.

The recording, which will be released sometime in March, will be distributed internationally. "We were lucky to get international distribution," Newman said. It will be available at musical theater outlets around the world (in Philadelphia, there is a musical theater outlet on Chestnut Street) and at some local music stores. Copies will also be available through the theater department.

The complete CD was recorded last May, after performances at the college were finished. Almost "The album has historical per- spective," Newman said. In addition to its being a first recording, several actors who performed in the play over the years have had successful acting careers. One such actor is Kevin Kline, who portrayed the character of Clym Yeobright in a 1977 production. Newman hopes that the CD will generate interest for further stagings of the musical.

According to Newman, people from other colleges are "stunned" that a musical recording of this caliber was made by a college theater deparrment. He is pleased with the CD and said that, perhaps most importantly, the author is happy with it.

Newman foresees recording another CD in the future, though not of a musical that already has a recording. However, like "Dance on a Country Grave," it will be something "new and special," he said.

For now, Newman said, "It is nice for Cabrini to have something that lasts."