Welcome to Celebration 2023! This is an extra special event this year with the return of 100+ show choir alumni, here to celebrate the end of an era as Nancy Allen, founder and director of the Platinum and Diamond Edition show choirs, prepares to retire on May 16, 2023 after 25 years of artistic service and leadership. Thank you all for being here to share in the sendoff!
The performance will run approximately 2 hours with a 15—minute intermission.
Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
Strobe lights, haze, and fog will be used during this performance.
Dear Arts Patrons,
Welcome to the Viterbo University 2022–23 performing arts season. Whether it be for a Bright Star, Conservatory for the Performing Arts, or Weber Center series event, we are very pleased to have you join us for what surely will be an outstanding production.
The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration have always cherished the arts, and we are proud to continue the legacy of our founders. Viterbo is truly blessed to have incredibly talented Conservatory students, faculty, and Fine Arts Center staff. Every show is painstakingly crafted and selected to offer the highest quality and culturally enriching entertainment possible to our community.
To all Viterbo arts patrons, benefactors, sponsors, volunteers, and artists, allow me to express my sincere gratitude for your support. Enjoy the show!
“Pace e Bene”
Peace and all good
Rick Trietley
Viterbo University President
Celebration 2023—celebrating 25 years of show choir at Viterbo University. The first show was on Feb. 21, 1999. The show was titled, A New World. The first Platinum Edition group had 25 members. The birth of many Halloween–themed shows was on Oct. 30, 1999. The title of the show was Music, Monsters & Munchies and the ensemble had grown to 38 members. Platinum Edition has presented over 50 shows to the La Crosse community and has performed at show choir events in Chicago, Minneapolis, New York City, Los Angeles, Orlando, Nashville, and Branson. We also toured Belize and served as Viterbo ambassadors in 2004.
It has been my deep pleasure to serve as founder and director of Platinum and Diamond Edition. As I retire from Viterbo University in May, I want to thank the entire community for 25 years of support and for making our shows worth every minute of rehearsals. The cheers and ovations live on in every student who has sung and danced on this stage—and in all of us as the community that support and applaud them!
Many thanks to all who have participated in the shows throughout the years! Sharing your talents was a gift from the heart. I have been blessed to make music and share joy with hundreds of people.
“If music be the food of love, play on." —William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night
—Nancy Allen
Free Bird, arr. David Fehr
Platinum Edition with Spencer Curtis
Here Comes the Sun, arr. Mac Huff
Platinum Edition alumni—
Anna Benthin, Chloe Gorman
Something New, arr. Garrett Breeze
Diamond Edition with Carmen Ortiz
For Good from Wicked, Stephen Schwartz
Senior feature—Payton Harper, Bri Reilly
Finally from Priscilla Queen of the Desert,
arr. Martin Hearne
Platinum Edition
Forget About the Boy from
Thoroughly Modern Millie, arr. Audrey Snyder
Diamond Edition with Vic Pardon
You Oughta Know from Jagged Little Pill, Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard
Senior feature—Abby Seim
MJ Medley from MJ: The Musical,
Michael Jackson/arr. Jeffrey Bowen
Platinum Edition
Carry On My Wayward Son, Kerry Livgren
Platinum Edition alumni—
Hunter Evenson, Alex Lentz, Carter Semb
I Will Never Leave You from Sideshow,
Harry Krieger
Senior feature—Kiley Silva, Katie Wall
Astonishing from Little Women,
arr. Mark Brymer
Diamond Edition with Anna Vande Krol
I Wish I Could Go Back to College
from Avenue Q,
Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
Senior feature—Aren Alexander-Battee,
Evan James Schmit, Josey Terry
New York State of Mind, Billy Joel
Platinum Edition alumni with
Kayla Shue, Patrick Stillwell, Greg Balfany
INTERMISSION
Edge of Seventeen,
Stevie Nicks/arr. Paul Langford
Diamond Edition
Come What May from Moulin Rouge,
David Baerwald and Kevin Gilbert
Senior feature—Madelyn Ballard, Mason Wold
Letters From War, Mark Schultz/
arr. Ron Jones
Platinum Edition with Evan James Schmit
Sparkling Diamonds from Moulin Rouge,
arr. Jeff Bowen
Diamond Edition
Wait for It from Hamilton, Lin Manuel-Miranda
Platinum Edition alum—
Malachi Durant
Backstage Romance from Moulin Rouge,
arr. Mark Brymer
Platinum Edition
Papa Was a Rolling Stone, Norman Whitfeld and Barret Strong/arr. Matthew Curtis
Platinum Edition alumni—
Matthew Curtis, Andrew Dahlberg, Joel Feld, Jacob Hustvet, Dustin Oldenburg, Allen Pruitt
Sax, arr. Brock Keiper
Diamond Edition with Ashlyn Cox
Music and the Mirror from A Chorus Line, Marvin Hamlisch
Senior feature—Iraya Cress
Kyrie, arr. Brock Keiper
Platinum Edition with Calvin Pierce
Kyrie was arranged for Nancy Allen and Platinum Edition. "Congrats on your outstanding career and journey as a music educator."—Kevin Chase and Brock Keiper
Seasons of Love from Rent,
Jonathan Larson/arr. Mac Huff
Platinum Edition, Diamond Edition, and alumni
Directors:
Nancy Allen, Shane Rhoades
Dance Captains:
Aren Alexander—Battee, Payton Harper
Maddy Ballard, Bri Reilly
Mason Wold
Performers:
Aren Alexander-Battee*, Robbie Alson,
Beth Anderson, Sophia Barbato,
Colin Cada, Iraya Catalina Cress,
Tyler Curtain, Spencer Curtis,
Ryan Dettbarn, Shea Grande,
Payton Harper, Briar Haring,
Gabe Karr, Reagan Kettner,
Issac Knudsen, Sophie La Fave,
Maxwell Larson, Zach Lichner,
Levi Magnuson, Connor Martin,
Tucker Mensen, Elisabeth Meyer,
Bailey Millimaki, Sophia Niblock,
Madelyn O Ballard, JaymeAnn Olson,
Victoria Pardon, Emma Phillips,
Calvin Pierce, Bri Reilly,
Evan James Schmit, Kalyn Schmit,
Jessica Schneider, Abby Seim,
Kiley Silva, Joie Steele,
Josey Terry, Halle Utterback,
Mariana Villanueva, Katie Wall,
Ellyn Werner*, Megan Wheelock,
Mason Wold, CJ Zimmer
*Recipient of Keith and Mary Carson
Platinum Edition Scholarship
Directors:
Nancy Allen, Shane Rhoades
Dance Captain:
Vic Pardon
Performers:
Laurelle Bandy, Alessandra Bettcher,
Bella Brunton, Claire Capra,
Caitlin Callahan, Kiana Robison,
Ashlyn Cox, Olivia Cox,
Iraya Cress, Grace Jacobson,
Katie Kostner, Maura Koth,
Abbey Messing, Carmen Ortiz,
Vic Pardon, McKenzie Russ,
Katie Schafer, Emma Tolzmann,
Anna Vande Krol, Grace Zinda
Performers:
Abby Bonham, Alex Attardo
Alex Lentz, Alexandra Marshall,
Allen Pruitt, Aly Bitter,
Alyssa Bruemmer, Alyssa Franklin,
Alyssa Ludeking, Amanda Meyer,
Andrew Cao, Andy Dahlberg,
Anna Benthin, Anna Taylor,
Annie Deutsch, Arianna Day,
Ashley Gerner, Austin Bartsch,
Benjamin Tashner, Brady Lowe,
Brandon Walmsley, Brock Kuklinski,
Caitlin Fallon, Carlee Brockman,
Carly Ziegler, Carrie Knudsen Hendrickson,
Carter Semb, Charles Brannen,
Chase Black, Chelsey Rogers,
Chloe Gorman, Corey McElroy,
Cynthia Hagopian, Dakota Viken,
Denise Rivera, Derek Koel,
Drew Kaiser, Drew Peterson,
Dustin Oldenburg, Dillon McArdle,
Dustin Benzing, Ed Rodenkirch
Edson Melendez, Ella Halle,
Ella Rose Mahlum, Emily Jewell,
Eve Viner, Faith Fehlen,
Greg Schams, Hannah Bauman,
Heather Douglas, Hilary Heard,
Jackie Morris, Hunter Evenson,
Ian Hanson, Isabella Weiss,
Jackie Morris, Jacob J.R. Hustvet,
Jen Burch, Jenna Perock,
Jenna Pritchard, Jill Schams,
Jodie Klukas, Joel Feld,
Jordynn Anderson, Josh Berg,
Julie Parent, Kambrie Prochazka,
Katie Harbolt, Katie Larson,
Katy Walmsley, Kayla Shue,
Kristina Howe, Leah Vogt,
Lindsey Giese, Luke Kritzeck,
Malachi Durant, Marcel Benthin,
Marie Gulsvig, Marin Oldenburg,
Mark Aschenbrenner, Matthew Curtis,
McKenzie Mach, Micah Walt,
Michael Bergman, Michael Dreger Jr.,
Mitchell Shaw, Molly Bidman,
Nick Johnson, Nick Quamme,
Olivia Krautkramer, Olivia Lentz,
Patrick Stillwell, Peter Bosgraaf,
PJ Leehy, Ryan Frett,
Ryan McCoy, Sara Kuester,
Sarah Klein, Shanda Wollin,
Shelly Melendez, Skylar Ray Erickson,
Skyler Viken, Stacy Bernau,
Stephanie Feld, Valentina Sales,
Chris Olson, Emily Iseini Fuller
Mike Zinns
Piano: Nancy Allen
Saxophone: Greg Balfany
Percussion: Julie Duff
Synthesizer: Steve Duff
Trumpet: Jeff Krauklis
Bass: Paul Leithold
Drums: Josh Shively
Trombone: George Von Arx
Director: Nancy Allen
Co-Director: Shane Rhoades
Emcee: Rick Walters
Lighting Designer: Jon Baker
Sound Designer: Eric Glazewski
Technical Director: Jason Underferth
Choreographers:
Kyle Aiden, Rush Benson,
Damon Brown, Cassady Chadwell,
Kevin Chase, Renee Guittar,
Nicholas Quamme
Stage Manager: Madeline Kantor
Costumes: Iraya Catalina Cress
Lighting Board Operator: Emmett Lenselink
Deck Sound: Dylan Woodman
Rail Operator: Benjamin Hoffman
Spot Operators: Raven Hurlock, Lindsey Meath
Stage Hands: Tom Hartl, Megan Konkel,
Madelyn Schwartz
Nancy Allen
Keith and Mary Carson
Richard Granum
Deborah Hanson
LuAnne Kratt
Corey McElroy and Aubrey Duncan
Mary Phillips
Darrell and Darlene Pofahl
Silvana and Robert Richardson
Rick and Joan Waniger
Doug Wilken
Copyright 2023 © Viterbo University.
All rights reserved.