The West Chester University Theatre Department presented its 10th Annual Aids Benefit Concert Dec. 5, titled “Let the Sun Shine In.” Theater, music and dance students were given the opportunity to perform their differing specialties.
Performances ranged from solo vocal performances, scenes from plays, and company dance numbers.
All proceeds from the night went to the Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights Aids foundation.
The audience members were also given the chance to bid in a silent auction to raise funds.
Items ranged from signed playbills of Broadway shows such as “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “A Chorus Line” to $25 gift certificates to Barnaby’s. The production raised $2,692 total from ticket sales and the silent auction. In the past, University Theatre has raised $27,000 overall for BC/EFA causes.
However, it’s not just the amount of money raised for BC/EFA that is impressive. The opening of the show, “I Know Where I Have Been” (from the musical Hair) gave a great introduction to the theme of the night.
Cast members wore a respectful ensemble of red and black. They sang their hearts out to the human beings who have been infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.
The hosts of the show, senior Jessica Suda and junior Pete Collier, proved to be an entertaining duo, speaking with passion about the effects of HIV/AIDS across the world.
All the performances given stood out as their own genre of performance. “A Very Potter Musical Number” was a comical musical performance based off of J.K Rowling’s famous “Harry Potter” series.
Don Rider played the role of Harry Potter and interacted with other famous Potter characters, including Cho Chang, Draco Malfoy and Harry’s constant sidekicks, Ron and Hermoine.
Former Miss West Chester University, Jackie Chilcote, gave a chilling and beautiful performance of “The Miller’s Son” from “A Little Night Music” by Stephen Sondheim.
“Money, Money, Money” from the musical “Abba” closed the first act in a very well choreographed piece.
The lighting for the show took on a dramatic theme, changing with each performance.
For the piece “Cell Block Tango” from the musical Chicago, the blue lighting and red lighting that shadowed the dancers was very dramatic and mysterious.
Michelle Rescigno gave a heart-breaking portrayal of a woman in love in the performance “Jump,” choreographed by Jason Stump.
However, it could be argued that the finale was the most enlightening part of the show.
The ensemble of the concert sang a compelling and beautiful rendition of “Let the Sun Shine In,” closing the AIDS benefit with an uplifting and powerful company song and dance.
Angela Thomas is a third-year student majoring in communication studies. She can be reached at AT683005@wcupa.edu.