Culture
OU, Athens Arts Groups Team Up for Valentine’s Day-Themed Fundraiser
< < Back to ou-athens-arts-groups-team-valentines-day-fundraiserOhio Valley Summer Theater (OVST), the Singing Men of Ohio (SMO) and the Athens High School Drama Club have teamed up to perform songs and scenes of love for its inaugural fundraiser, “Valentine’s Date Night,” on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. in Ohio University’s Walter Hall Rotunda.
Proceeds from the event will support the Singing Men of Ohio’s Spring Break Tour, where they will travel to the east coast, representing Ohio University at various venues.
Proceeds also will support OVST’s summer 2014 production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, The King and I, running June 19-July 6 at the Elizabeth Baker Theater in OU’s Kantner Hall.
The Singing Men of Ohio and Section 8, a selection of SMO members, will perform their 2014 repertoire a cappella throughout the evening, said Chris Denhart, SMO member and business manager and OHIO senior.
“The Singing Men of Ohio and Section 8 are thrilled to be teaming with talented performers from Ohio Valley Summer Theater and Athens High School to put on a great Valentine’s Day-themed show,” he said. “Support for this event from the University and the Athens community has been amazing. All groups look forward to sharing our varied forms of performing arts with audiences far and wide.”
Ohio Valley Summer Theater’s main stage talent Sharell Arocho and Sheldon Andrus, cast as Sarah and Coalhouse Walker Jr., respectively, in OVST’s 2012 production of Ragtime! will perform the soulful “Sarah, Brown Eyes,” a love song from the musical.
Bonnie Hall, cast as Mrs. Gloop in OVST’s 2013 production of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, will perform “Hello, Young Lovers” from The King and I. Athens High School Drama Club members will perform a love scene from their fall 2012 production of Tom Jones and preview a scene from their upcoming production of Fame, opening April 10 at Athens High School in The Plains.
“Many talented Singing Men of Ohio, Section 8 performers and Athens High School students have graced the OVST stage for OVST-produced musicals over the years,” said Marlo Tinkham, managing director of OVST. “It’s really exciting for us to team up and showcase both local and Ohio University talent to celebrate the Valentine’s Day theme.”
Shamrock Auction Service of Athens, Ohio, will auction one-week vacations in condos in Key West and Sarasota, Fla., as well as a hot air balloon ride courtesy of Balloonmasters, Inc. of Blacklick, Ohio, and a walk-on role for OVST’s summer 2014 production of The King and I.
A silent auction, door prizes, heavy hors d’oeuvres, an open bar and dessert will be featured at the event. Special recognition also will be given to Harolyn Brient, a long-time and stalwart supporter of both SMO and OVST.
Tickets are available at www.valentinesdatenight.bpt.me or by calling 740-591-8058.