April 12, 2022
Contact Nancy Allen at 608-796-3763 or nlallen@viterbo.edu
VITERBO UNIVERSITY PLATINUM EDITION AND DIAMOND EDITION TO PRESENT CELEBRATION 2023 APRIL 22; MORE THAN 100 SHOW CHOIR ALUMNI TO ADD THEIR VOICES IN HONOR OF NANCY ALLEN’S 25 YEARS OF SERVICE
LA CROSSE, Wis. – Viterbo University’s Platinum Edition and Diamond Edition show choirs will be joined by more than 110 returning alumni as they present Celebration 2023 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 22 in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.
Celebration 2023 will be the grand finale performance for Viterbo’s show choir founder and director, Nancy Allen, who is retiring at the end of the academic year in May.
“Nancy’s retirement is our opportunity to celebrate an incredibly important era in Viterbo University’s performing arts history,” said Rick Walters, executive artistic director of the Viterbo University Conservatory for the Performing Arts. “She leaves behind a legacy in hundreds if not thousands of performing artists, and we can’t wait to celebrate with her and the community.”
“Thank you to the entire community for 25 years of support and making our shows worth every minute of rehearsals,” Allen said. “The cheers and ovations live on in all of us.”
Celebration 2023 will feature 65 students, numerous alumni performances, and a wide array of music, including Broadway, pop, disco, country, and rock. All 110 show choir alumni in attendance will join Platinum Edition and Diamond Edition for the final performance of the evening. Viterbo senior spotlight performances will be given by Aren Alexander-Batee, Iraya Catalina Cress, Payton Harper, Bri Reilly, Evan Schmit, Abby Seim, Kiley Silva, Josey Terry, Katie Wall, and Mason Wold. Junior Maddie Ballard will join Wold for a duet.
One selection was arranged in honor of Allen by nationally recognized choreographer and musician Kevin Chase and music arranger Brock Kieper. Written in the program are the words of dedication, “Congrats on your outstanding career and journey as a music educator.”
Music will be provided by the Platinum Edition band, which consists of 25-year members Josh Shively and Paul Leithold and other longtime bandmates Greg Balfany, Julie Duff, Steve Duff, Jeff Krauklis, Kurt Schuldes, and George Von Arx.
The first Platinum Edition show was in 1999. The group has performed more than 50 shows in La Crosse and have given other performances at show choir events in Chicago, Minneapolis, New York City, Los Angeles, Orlando, Nashville, and Branson. Platinum Edition toured Belize and served as Viterbo ambassadors in 2004.
“Thank you to everyone who has participated in the shows throughout the years,” Allen said. “Sharing your talents was a gift from the heart. I have been blessed to make music and share joy with hundreds of people.”
“We will miss Nancy’s drive, energy, artistry and incredible connection to our students,” says Walters. “And we are committed to continuing her joyful legacy of annual show choir events. We look forward to sharing our plans for how Platinum Edition will evolve in the coming months.”
Celebration 2023 is sponsored by The Lukasek Family Endowment Fund and Houghton’s Jackson Street Pub.
Tickets are $25 for main floor, $22 for lower balcony, and $19 for upper balcony seating, plus taxes and fees. For more information or to order tickets, contact the Viterbo box office at 608-796-3100 or visit www.viterbo.edu/tickets.
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