COURTNEE CESTA
Managing Editor
The School of Music is presenting its Madrigal Feaste for the third year but, for the first time, is inviting students to attend a full-dress rehearsal free of charge.
“Students expressed an interest in seeing the show, but the ticket price is prohibitive because it includes an upscale meal,” said organizer Dr. Gerald Gray. Tickets for the full event are $65 and include an open bar and five course meal which is catered by FSA, as well as a dinner theatre performance put on in collaboration by the School of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance. “This year we are delighted to open up the dress rehearsal to students.”
The student preview will be on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 8 p.m. in the Williams Center, and although students will not be served a full meal, they will see the full performance.
A Madrigal Feaste is a common form of dinner theater and, like at Fredonia, is traditionally held during the Christmas season. It features theater skits and choral music that accompany each course of the meal, all of which reflects the medieval and renaissance time periods.
Although the past two years’ performances have sold out, Gray says that organizers are continuing to make improvements.
“The music and script continue to change each year, and we are also adding a guest appearance by the College Choir this year,” Gray said. “The comedies change every year, and this year we are thrilled to have Richard and Carmen Gilman as our King and Queen.”
Richard Gilman is a professor emeritus of the geosciences department; both he and his wife are Fredonia residents and active members of the campus and community.
Preparation for the Madrigal Feaste began months ago, when organizers met to decide on a menu, the comedies and the music. According to Gray, they will not get together again until the week of the event when all aspects of the performance mold together.
The decision to perform a traditional feast came to light as Gray remembered a similar event he was a part of as a high school student. And from the first year it was presented at Fredonia, the community has shown appreciation and support as evident through consistent ticket sales.
“We try to make this a time where people come for great food, great entertainment and warm-hearted good cheer,” Gray said. “Each year at the end, when we dim the lights and sing our final Christmas carol, I see couples holding hands and all around the room there are warm smiling faces.”
Gray said that, when he first performed in a Madrigal Feaste, it was the festive music, exquisite costumes and grand banquet dinner that brought people together and created an unforgettable experience.
“Providing a place where that can happen is really important to me.”