MMC Students Perform Noël Coward Revue

As part of a citywide celebration of playwright Noël Coward and his work as well as the culmination of the Summer I 2012 course “Musical Theatre Intensive: The Musicals of Noël Coward,” Marymount Manhattan College students performed a Noël Coward revue—TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY NOEL—that was presented at The York Theatre on June 24 and in the Bruno Walter Auditorium at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center on June 25. Noted Broadway choreographer and director Larry Fuller directed the revue. The performance was choreographed by Bethany Christine Elkin ’06, adjunct professor at Marymount Manhattan. MMC’s Artist in Residence Christine Riley served as the musical director.

The course was team taught by celebrated director and educator Michael Montel, Fuller and Riley. During the course, students examined the major musical works of Coward, including Operette, Tonight at 8:30, Pacific 1860, Sail Away, Bittersweet and The Girl Who Came to Supper, through readings, listening sessions, viewings and dialogues between Michael Montel and distinguished guest speakers who worked with Coward.

The revue featured Marika Abe ’13, Jonny Beauchamp ’12, Patrick Heavey ’12, Alex Mollica ’14, Rebecca Kate Moyer ’12, TJ Newton ’14, Josephine Patane ’12, Polina Panagiotou ’13, Michael Rodd ’15, Jillian Sayegh ’15, Spencer Wilson ’14 and guest performers Bethany Christine Elkin ’06 and Rafael Rodriguez.

The cast performs opening song, “Play, Orchestra, Play.” (Foreground L-R) Spencer Wilson ’14 and TJ Newton ’14 perform “Nina” with Michael Rodd ’15 and Patrick Heavey ’12. Josephine Patane ’12 performs “Sail Away/Matelot.” Patrick Heavey ’12 performs “I’ll Remember Her.” (Foreground L-R) Josephine Patane ’12 and Marika Abe ’13 perform “London Medley” with (Background L-R) Michael Rodd ’15, Spencer Wilson ’14 and Alex Mollica ’14. Noël Coward scholar Barry Day speaks to the cast after the show.

Marika Abe ’13 performs “Never Again.” Polina Panagiotou ’13 performs “Sail Away/Matelot.” Special guest and choreographer Bethany Christine Elkin ’06 tap dances to “I like America.” Rebecca Kate Moyer ’12 sings solo in “London Medley.” Special guest Rafael Rodriguez performs “Don’t Turn Away From Me.” Top Row: Patrick Heavey ’12, Jillian Sayegh ’15, Larry Fuller (Director), Geoff Johnson (Noel Coward Foundation), Barry Day (noted author and scholar, Noel Coward Foundation), Marika Abe ’13, Michael Rodd ’15, Kate Moyer ’12, Polina Panagiotou ’13, Christine Riley (Music Director), Josephine Patane ’12, Ken Starrett (Noel Coward Society). Bottom Row: Rafael Rodriguez (Guest Artist), Jonny Beauchamp ’12, Spencer Wilson ’14, TJ Newton ’14, Bethany C. Elkin (Choreographer and Guest Artist) and Alex Mollica ’14.