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MIAC Live Hosts Three End-of-Season Events
Dance, song, and drama close out 2024 season
April 3, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Contributed photos
With three outstanding performers coming to Mercyhurst University this month, patrons will be able to experience a diverse slate of world-class talent, back to back to back. Enjoy energetic and engaging performances from Step Afrika!, Betty Buckley, and Gavin Creel.
BEGINNING TUESDAY APR. 9
As the school year slowly winds to a close, so does the action at the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center at Mercyhurst University, as the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture (MIAC) finishes out their 2023-2024 season. But they're not ducking into the wings quietly: with three events scheduled within the next month, the folks at MIAC are busy preparing for a diverse, energetic slate of entertainment. Beginning with an artful, polyrhythmic, percussion-based dance performance from Step Afrika!, the return of "The Voice of Broadway" Betty Buckley, and an appearance by award winning star of stage and screen, Gavin Creel.
Dr. Brett Johnson, artistic director of MIAC, is excited that these upcoming performers are not only putting on a show for the Erie community, but that they're also stepping up to help further the educational opportunities for Mercyhurst theater students. He informs, "Step Afrika!, Betty Buckley, and Gavin Creel will all offer workshops or master classes as part of their Mercyhurst engagements, which is a testament to how MIAC furthers the educational mission of Mercyhurst University by providing opportunities for students to study with world-class artists."
Step Afrika! uses the body as an instrument. The group was actually the first professional dance company to call upon the tradition of using stepping and percussive dance as a way to achieve their sound. The group was founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, who, while living in South Africa, began to research traditional dances that utilize the auditory properties of step. From that experience, he creatively interpreted those ideas into what eventually became Step Afrika! which has gone on to become a worldwide phenomenon, as the group has toured to 50 countries across the globe. Attendees of the show can expect a melange of songs, storytelling, comedy, and audience participation — to see Step Afrika! is truly an experience.
7:30 p.m. // Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center, 501 E. 38th St. // $20-$45
FRIDAY, APR. 19: Betty Buckley
Talk about star power — Betty Buckley's resume is impressive (to say the least). Known as "The Voice of Broadway," she has won or been nominated for countless awards for her appearances on a breadth of Broadway stages. But live theater is just the beginning: Buckley has appeared in multiple major motion pictures (including a short film that she wrote, narrated, and produced called The Mayfly, which just premiered on March 24) and smash TV hits including Law and Order, Oz, and Pretty Little Liars. She's won three lifetime achievement awards.
And she has been generous enough with her time and talent to stand as the current Artist in Residence at Mercyhurst University, returning annually to host workshops and offer performances for the benefit of the students in the theater program and all of the Erie community. Of her time at Mercyhurst, Buckley glows, "It is one of my greatest joys to share what I have learned from master teachers and watch students use those tools in their own work. I was knocked out by the caliber of students at Mercyhurst, led by the wonderful Brett Johnson. He has created an atmosphere of total support and freedom of expression while instilling the discipline, skill, and knowledge of history necessary to pursue a career in the performing arts."
Buckley will be in residence for the students at Mercyhurst from April 14 through 18 with a public concert at Walker Recital Hall on Friday, April 19.
7:30 p.m. // Walker Recital Hall, 501 E. 38th St. // $35-$40
Tony award-winning actor Gavin Creel (who won for his performance alongside Bette Midler in Hello, Dolly!) is bringing his magnetic, multi-talented presence to the Mary D'Angelo stage for the closing performance of MIAC's 2023-2024 season. Creel's latest creative endeavor Walk On Through (which will be debuting in a limited run Off-Broadway this fall) is his foray into theatrical songwriting, with songs and compositions inspired by the art collections at the Metropolitan Museum. For his performance at Mercyhurst, attendees can expect a presentation of Creel's favorite Broadway songs and pop hits, along with selections from Walk On Through. This evening of true vocal talent is sure to be an entertaining treat for audiences. — Erin Phillips
7:30 p.m. // Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center, 501 E. 38th St. // $25-$50