The Theatre Project/SCV is staging a star-studded tribute to the musical work of STEPHEN SCHWARTZ at 7:30 pm on Sunday evening, October 22, and the evening will include musical selections by the prolific composer and/or lyricist of such works as Broadway’s WICKED, GODSPELL and PIPPIN (to name just a few), and such animated films at THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, POCAHONTAS, and THE PRINCE OF EGYPT.

While the Schwartz tribute is intended to raise funds for its inaugural season, The Theatre Project/SCV wants the event itself to benefit many different area arts organizations, as well as the COC Performing Arts Center itself.  A portion of proceeds from the show will be donated to the College of the Canyons Patrons of the Arts program.  In addition, The Theatre Project/SCV will donate $900 worth of premium tickets to each of five community arts organizations:

• Canyon Theatre Guild

   

• Repertory East Playhouse

   

• Santa Clarita Symphony

   

• Santa Clarita Ballet

   

• Escape Children’s Theatre

  The organizations can then use these tickets as a benefit for their own fundraising campaigns.

  "One of the big concerns expressed to us as we’ve been meeting with the community is that many believe that by supporting a professional regional theatre, that other local professional, educational and community groups will suffer financially,” stated Salyer.  “I think just the opposite. If the Santa Clarita Valley obtains a higher profile as an arts destination, every local group will benefit from larger audiences.”

   

"We have as part of our mission a commitment to supporting area arts programs and companies both financially and through cross promotions,” added Slominski.

Supporting local arts extends to offering performance opportunities to area students.  The chorus for AN EVENING WITH STEPHEN SCHWARTZ will be comprised of 20 performers, ten from the College of the Canyons music and theatre programs.  Remaining slots will be filled by audition, and Salyer and Slominski hope that area high school choral and drama students will participate.  "Since I began teaching here four years ago, I have become extremely impressed with the arts programs in the local school system. The amazing show choirs, the theatre departments, and the local community groups have all provided excellent training ground for young performers. We’d like to become part of that network of arts education that is producing such great talent."

For more information about becoming involved with The Theatre Project/SCV, please call (661) 633-3550 or send an email to SCV_theproj@hotmail.com.  Visit them on the web at ww.theatrescv.com.