Highland Hall Waldorf School Presents Musical CELEBRATION, Now thru 1/27

Highland Hall Waldorf School will present the musical fable "Celebration." Performances will be held in Highland Hall's gym at 17100 Superior Street, Northridge, CA tonight, January 25 at 8 pm; Saturday, January 26 at 2 pm and 8 pm; and Sunday, January 27 at 2 pm.

"Celebration" was created by the writing duo, Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, whose previous works include the long-running off-Broadway hit "The Fantasticks" and Broadway musicals "110 in the Shade" and "I Do! I Do!" It was first performed in 1969, and though it received critical success, it is rarely reprised.

"When I called for royalties, the administrator said, 'You're a real theater person; no one ever does this show!'" says Rodney Vaccaro, Highland Hall's music and drama director.

"I chose 'Celebration,'" he continues, "because seeing it for the first time in high school was the reason I got into theater. What excited me was how it broke from the 'Sound of Music' as an experimental, 'tribal' musical along the lines of 'Hair,' 'Cabaret,' and later 'Pippin.' It's more of an ensemble piece rather than one about the leads."

The story explores the human struggle for balance in a world of innocence and corruption, love and ambition, poverty and wealth, and youth and old age.

"It's a late 60s - early 70s 'statement' piece," continues Vaccaro. "But it's also what our society is going through now, posing moral and ethical challenges young people can relate to as they look to the generation before them and think, 'We can do better.' The action of 'Celebration' responds, 'Ok, it's your turn. Let's see what you do.'"

"'Celebration' acts as a dramatic and musical expression of themes we explore throughout our high school academic program," adds Lynn Kern, Administrative Director for Highland Hall. "The challenges of critical thinking and moral and ethical discernment, which the Waldorf curriculum explores and nurtures in its students across all disciplines, is literally put on its feet in this wonderful production."

Doors open thirty minutes before show time. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students. The show is appropriate for children in the 5th grade and older.

Tickets may be obtained at http://highschoolmusical.eventbrite.com/#. Refreshments will be available during intermission and there is free and ample campus and street parking. For more information, go www.highlandhall.org or call 818-349-1394.

Highland Hall Waldorf School, located in Northridge, CA and founded in 1955, is a coeducational institution exemplifying the rich educational traditions of the Waldorf School movement. Its unique approach to learning successfully addresses the changing needs and capacities of children at each stage of development from PreK through High School. Fully 98% of its high school graduates move on to renowned colleges and universities; 42% of Waldorf graduates pursue college majors in mathematics or science. Featuring a curriculum of academically challenging lessons infused with arts and hands-on learning, Highland Hall provides students with a solid academic foundation, the ability to think creatively, a sympathetic interest in the world, self-confidence, and an abiding moral purpose.

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