The Arts and Life Concert Series will present a free performance by Carmen Cusack, renowned musical performer and 2016 Tony Award nominee for Best Actress, tonight at 7.<\/p>\n
Jay Walls, director of the Arts and Life Concert Series, said that he thinks Harding students will enjoy Cusack\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were always looking for high quality entertainment,\u201d Walls said. \u201cWe did a survey last year to find out what it is that Harding students would like to see \u2026The thing that seemed to be most desired was something related to Broadway.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Walls, the Arts and Life Series typically hosts classical ensembles or soloists, and the performances are often instrumental. Cusack, a modern Broadway actress, deviates somewhat from these parameters. Her most well-known roles include Elphaba in \u201cWicked,\u201d Fantine in \u201cLes Miserables\u201d and Christine in \u201cPhantom of the Opera.\u201d In 2016, Cusack made her Broadway debut as the lead actress in \u201cBright Star,\u201d a folk musical written by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. Walls hopes that Cusack\u2019s range of experience will encourage students and community members to attend the concert.<\/p>\n
\u201cBands and stuff are really cool, but this is a Broadway performer,\u201d junior Sydney Sanford said. \u201cIt\u2019ll definitely cater to a different audience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sanford added that she is excited to witness something out of the norm.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was listening to \u2018Bright Star\u2019 because it\u2019s different,\u201d Sanford said. \u201cIt\u2019s cool, and it\u2019s bluegrass, which is different than normal theater, so I encourage people to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walls said that the Arts and Life Series has had trouble in the past bringing in a large student audience. He hopes that Cusack\u2019s performance will begin a change in that trend.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re really hoping that the Harding audience will realize that this is a top-notch, world class performer who\u2019s coming,\u201d Walls said. \u201cI think there\u2019s this idea that to do something of real value, you have to go to Little Rock or Memphis. I hope that people will begin to see that this is an exception.\u201d<\/p>\n
Humanities major sophomore Rayna DeYoung said that she enjoys the classical performances offered by the Arts and Life Series.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a music major, I am always inspired by the groups and performers we bring in,\u201d DeYoung said. \u201cThey show me the potential I have to grow and achieve musically, as a performer.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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