community supportconcert sponsor

Charlene Pauls, Conductor

Bethany Hörst, SopranoJennifer Enns Modolo, Mezzo-Soprano

Lawrence Wiliford, TenorBradley Christensen, Bass

with Musica Viva Orchestra on period instruments

Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 7:30 pmRiver Run Centre

Messiah

The Family of John F. Wood

George Frideric Handel

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MessiahPart I

Sinfony

Comfort ye my people . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tenor recitative

Ev’ry valley shall be exalted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tenor aria

And the glory of the Lord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

Thus saith the Lord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bass recitative

But who may abide the day of His coming? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alto aria

And He shall purify the sons of Levi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

Behold, a virgin shall conceive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alto recitative

O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alto aria and chorus

For behold, darkness shall cover the earth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bass recitative

The people that walked in darkness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bass aria

For unto us a child is born . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)

There were shepherds abiding in the field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soprano recitative

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soprano recitative

And the angel said unto them . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soprano recitative

And suddenly there was with the angel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soprano recitative

Glory to God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soprano aria

Then shall the eyes of the blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alto recitative

He shall feed his flock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alto & Soprano aria

His yoke is easy, and His burden is light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

Inter mission

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MessiahPart II

Behold the Lamb of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

He was despised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alto aria

Surely He hath borne our griefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

And with His stripes we are healed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

All we, like sheep, have gone astray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

All they that see Him laugh Him to scorn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tenor recitative

He trusted in God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

Thy rebuke hath broken His heart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tenor recitative

Behold and see if there be any sorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tenor aria

He was cut off out of the land of the living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tenor recitative

But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tenor aria

Lift up your heads, O ye gates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chorus

Unto which of the angels said He any time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tenor recitative

Let all the angels of God worship Him . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chorus

The Lord gave the word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chorus

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace . . . . . . . . . Soprano aria

Their sound is gone out into all lands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

Why do the nations so furiously rage together? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bass aria

Let us break their bonds asunder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tenor recitative

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tenor aria

Hallelujah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

Part IIII know that my Redeemer liveth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soprano aria

Since by man came death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

Behold, I tell you a mystery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bass recitative

The trumpet shall sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bass aria

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

Amen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chorus

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Lauded for his luminous projection, lyrical sensitivity, and brilliant coloratura, American-born Canadian tenor Lawrence Wiliford is in high demand in concert, opera, and recital repertoire . His 2019-20 season highlights include debuts with the Seattle Symphony, performing Mozart’s Requiem under the direc-tion of Masaaki Suzuki, and

the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, as well as performing Beethoven’s Mass in C under the direction of Bernard Labadie .

His diverse opera credits include Mozart’s Così fan tutte, Don Giovanni and Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail; Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Albert Herring and The Turn of the Screw; Lully’s Persée, and Rameau’s Pygmalion and La Guirlande .

His recorded projects appear on several labels and include a GRAMMY-nominated and JUNO award-winning recording of music by Vaughan Williams with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Peter Oundjian (Chandos) and J .S . Bach’s Johannes-Passion under the direction of Alex Weimann (ATMA Classique) . Mr . Wiliford is co-founder and co-artistic director of the Canadian Art Song Project with pianist Steven Philcox .

Soprano Bethany Hörst has appeared in numerous productions with opera companies across North America, France, and the Netherlands, and frequently solos with orchestras and major choirs across Canada .

Ms . Hörst has won several international competitions including the Lyndon Woodside Oratorio Solo Competition at Carnegie

Hall in New York City . Hörst was twice honoured as a District Winner and Regional Finalist at the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions . She has received the Encouragement Award at the Met Regional Finals and at the Palm Beach International Opera Competition .

Ms . Hörst holds a Masters of Music in Literature and Performance from Western University, where she is currently on faculty . In high demand for adjudicating and masterclasses, she and pianist Mary Castello recently returned from a recital and clinician tour of Nova Scotia .

Canadian mezzo- soprano Jennifer Enns Modolo has delighted audiences across the country with her clear, unaffected voice and meaningful singing . As an accomplished concert soloist, and with a repertoire that ranges from early music to contemporary, she performs regularly with ensembles throughout

Ontario and across Canada including the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, the Elmer Iseler Singers, and the Elora Singers . She is a member of the Hamilton-based ensemble Capella Intima, which specializes in performing lesser-known 17th century vocal and operatic music .

Jennifer is featured on several Aradia Ensemble recordings, including Handel’s Israel in Egypt (Naxos, 2008), and Vivaldi Sacred Music, Volume 3 (Naxos, 2008), all under the baton of Kevin Mallon .

Engagements for the 2019-2020 season include a recital of early Italian music with lutenist Magdalena Tomsinska at Wilfrid Laurier University, J .S . Bach’s St. John Passion with Spiritus Ensemble, and Sacrum and Profanum with countertenor Daniel Cabena as part of the Nota Bene Baroque Players concert series .

Equally as comfortable on both concert and operatic stages, New Zealand-born baritone Bradley Christensen has continued to earn praise for his “most well-rounded instrument . . .focused, rich, and sympathetically communicative .” (Natasha Gautier, Ottawa Citizen)

Bradley obtained his Master’s degree from the

University of Toronto; he is also an alumnus of the prestigious Rebanks Family Fellowship and International Performance Residency Program at The Royal Conservatory .

In 2017, Bradley made his professional U .S debut performing the role of Agamemnon in Offenbach’s La belle Hélène with Opera North, and has since been busy performing across Canada with companies such as the Fraser Lyric Opera (B .C), Manitoba Underground Opera (MB), Opera Atelier (ON), Canadian Opera Company (ON), Southern Ontario Lyric Opera (ON), and Opera on the Avalon (NL) to name a few .

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UNIVERSITY SQUARE PHARMACY

(519) 763-3301 987 GORDON STREET (KORTRIGHT ROAD)

Jan 10th: Faculty Launch ConcertJan 11th: Dance with Bach Workshop

Jan 12th: Final Presentation & Open House

For more information and to register email dcabena@wlu.ca.

And study historical performance practice through dance in this workshop for singers,

string players and keyboard players.

Musica Viva OrchestraFirst Violins

Rona Goldensher, ConcertmasterSarah Wiebe Allene Chomyn

Second Violins

Rezan LaPointeKailey Richards Elena Spanu

Violas

Anthony Rapaport John Wiebe

Cellos

Laura Jones Kerri McGonigle

Bass

Marilyn Fung

Trumpets

Shawn Spicer Paul Sanvidotti

Timpani

John Brownell

Organ

Christopher Dawes

A New ChapterIn 1980 a group of choral music lovers decided that Guelph needed a new choir dedicated to singing the finest works of the repertoire with skill and musical sensitivity . Our first performance, on December 7, 1980, featured twenty-six singers in front of an audience of nearly two hundred at Harcourt Memorial United Church . Conductor Gerald Neufeld led the choir for all but two years of its history when Kathryn Laurin ably took the baton .

After Gerald Neufeld’s retirement in 2018, an extensive search process was conducted during the 2019 season and Charlene Pauls was named Artistic Director and Conductor starting with the 2019/2020 season .

Over the years our ranks have swelled and our talents deepened . Now at forty voices strong we still hold close to the ideals of chamber singing: lightness and clarity of tone, subtle blending of developed voices, and clear communication of the meaning and spirit of both text and music .

Singers in the Guelph Chamber Choir represent various walks of life; their common bond is to foster community enjoyment and appreciation of choral music through performances, outreach, artistic collaboration, and community partnerships .

We remain an integral part of the strong musical heritage of Guelph . Our performances include repertoire from Renaissance masters to contemporary composers, from classical styles to Broadway and vocal jazz, and from unaccompanied choral gems to masterworks with full orchestra .

We often collaborate with other choirs from across Canada and within our own community . We have participated in festivals throughout Ontario and have toured Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and the Czech Republic . Our success has been recognized through a number of broadcasts on national radio and prizes in the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs .

Sopr a nosAmber BryerLaura HarpCarol HawkenArdeth Jarvis Karen MacLeodSally StelterTammy teWinkelPatricia Ramos Ward

AltosBailey DugasJoanne GonsalvesMegan HodgeKatrina HubermanNancy JacksonNaomi MatsuiLaura McDonaldSusanne Schmidt-McQuillanJulie ServiceKaren SlatkovskyAlison Vicary

TenorsJohn Barnum Steve Brown Lanny FlemingKen FreyBrad HallsHarold JacksonLawrence SugdenPeter ThompsonMarley Yott

BassesDave Davidson Max FarberKeith HagermanBrian JanzenNeil McLarenKen McRoryGraham NancekivellMatthias SchmidtJim ServiceFinn SteinkeJames A . WalkeDavid Wieler

Board of DirectorsJohn BarnumPresident

Dave DavidsonVice-President

Jean HilbornTreasurer

Jim ServiceSecretary

Members-at-Large: Harry Oussoren Ella PaulsSya VanGeest

We are an active, working Board and we have opportunities to serve . If you are interested, please contact John Barnum at 519-265-3850 .

Ex-OfficioCharlene Pauls Artistic Director

Sandra Pitts Administration

Ken McRory Marketing & Programs

Brenda Lewis Promotions

Anne Monkhouse Financial Administrator

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BiographiesDr. Charlene Pauls has been an active choral conductor, vocal soloist, adjudicator, and pedagogue for over 25 years . Drawing on this extensive experience, Dr . Pauls’ approach focuses on developing a beautiful choral sound through a deep understanding of healthy vocal technique .

Over the course of her career, she has directed a wide range of adult, university and youth choirs . She is Associate Artistic Director of the 250-voice strong Oakville Choir for Children and Youth where she directs Raise Her Voice Chamber, an ambassadorial ensemble selected from within the organization’s senior singers . Dr . Pauls has led this group in award-winning performances at various national and international competitions, and has appeared with them on stages in Europe and the USA . In July 2018, Raise Her Voice was featured at the national choral conference Podium, and was one of five choirs in Float, a special Canada Council multi-media project that took place in St . John’s . On July 1, 2019, Raise Her Voice was awarded first place in the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs .

From 2016 to 2018 Dr . Pauls was the Artistic Director of London’s Pro Musica Choir, and this past season she was pleased to guest conduct London’s Chor Amica choir and the Guelph Chamber Choir . In 2018 Dr . Pauls also co-founded the Mosaic Music Collective, a project-based choir bringing together newcomers to Canada with other residents of the community to explore music from around the world and to create cultural bridges .

Dr . Pauls has appeared as a soprano soloist on concert stages across Canada and internationally in Germany, England, France and Spain, under the baton of conductors such as Robert Shaw, Bramwell Tovey, and Helmuth Rilling . Academic studies include undergraduate degrees from the Universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba in theology, piano and voice, a Master’s from McGill, specializing in Early Music, and a Doctorate from the University of Toronto in Vocal Performance, with a dissertation on Bach’s Cantata BWV 210 .

In addition to her active performing and teaching career, Dr . Pauls frequently presents at academic conferences and is in demand as an adjudicator for Voice and Choral festivals across the country .

This past season, Dr . Pauls was thrilled to be awarded the Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting from the Ontario Arts Council .

Accompanist Alison MacNeill is a graduate of the University of Guelph music program, and of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto . She completed graduate work at the University of Western Ontario where she studied piano and theory with Ronald Turini and Richard Parks .

Ms MacNeill is active as a conductor, accompanist and chamber musician . She maintains a large teaching studio and is the Director of Music Ministry at Harcourt Memorial United Church and Music Director of the Rainbow Chorus of Waterloo- Wellington . She has been the accompanist for the Guelph Chamber Choir for much of its existence, performing and touring with the ensemble

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Foster · Volunteer

519-824-2410

www.fcsgw.org

Becoming a foster parent ensures kids stay connected to community!

Contact us for more information regarding

your fostering inquiry.

It’s not too late to help!While our Messiah Sing-Along performance took place last night, it’s not too late to help a worthy organization . In keeping with Messiah’s history of fundraising for child welfare, Family & Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County (F&CS) and the Guelph Chamber Choir came together last night to present this popular sing-along performance to our community in St . George’s Anglican Church . As we have done in past years, we requested that each person attending make a donation to F&CS’ Chil-dren First Fund in lieu of a ticket purchase . Programs supported through the Fund help improve the lives of vulnerable children, youth and struggling families in the community . If you didn’t attend last night, donations can still be made at www.fcsgw.org

Come Cruising Canada’s West Coast to Alaska

with the Guelph Chamber ChoirAfter the very successful cruise raffle last spring, the GCC is offering a group cruise with Celebrity Cruises and Expedia CruiseShipCenter Guelph to beautiful Alaska!

Departure is August 9, 2020 from Vancouver, BC . The 7-day Alaskan cruise sails the Inside Passage with stops in Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, and Ketchikan, returning to Vancouver on August 16 .

Pricing starts at only $1724 per person (based on double occupancy) .

For more information please call or email Carmel at 1-800-544-2656 or carmelbacik@cruiseshipcenters.com

Family & Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County works to ensure that children and youth in the region are safe and nurtured by loving families, lasting relationships and supportive communities . The Children First Fund, through generous donations, supports programs and initiatives that provide children, youth and families access to resources and supports they otherwise would not have and that help to overcome barriers that are getting in the way of success and well-being .

Prevention and Early Help Initiatives for Children, Youth and Families

Working collaboratively with other community organizations Prevention & Early Help initiatives offer accessible supports for isolated and struggling families to address issues that are barriers to their basic needs, safety, health and well-being . Initiatives are:

• Helping families to connect to people and resources in their communities .• Assisting community strategies that create support networks and accessible resources .

Support for Youth Transitioning to Independence

Young people living in our community without the benefit of parental involvement or family support have extremely limited financial resources available to them . They often find themselves alone without the resources to care for themselves while going to school . They:

• are at increased risk of homelessness, mental health issues and not finishing high school• are vulnerable to drug use• are targets for growing human trafficking in the region• encounter many barriers to renting, learning to drive, obtaining insurance or owning a vehicle• have received limited if any basic life-skills training• may have difficulty picturing their future given the barriers they face

We are working hard to provide services and supports to the over 90 youth we support in Guelph and the County but the need is great and the barriers they face are many . These young adults often ask – without parents or family how will I be able to:

• get a driver’s license without a vehicle to practice on?• rent an apartment without a co-signer?• obtain insurance?• purchase tools or equipment for a job?• furnish a room or apartment?• buy a computer for school?• get to important appointments that require transportation?

“No 15-year-old should feel that they have nobody in this world. It was almost the end of me.”

“Support us and watch what we can do!”

Youth Quotes, 25 is the New 21, Provincial Advocate for Children & Youth

Family Finding & Lifetime Supportive Networks (When Adoption is not possible)

All children need their own family – regardless of age, whether they’re on their own, with siblings or have complex life challenges . Permanency programs provide opportunities for children and youth receiving our support to bond with relatives and supportive adults who may not have had a place in their family as well as each other to create networks of support .

A gift to the Children First Fund transforms lives and builds community.

Our ThanksWe would like to thank our supporters who made valuable financial contributions to the Guelph Chamber Choir from August 1, 2018 to July 31, 2019 .

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Conductor’s Circle ($1000 & up)

Doug & Mary-Lou BrockInsituHarold & Nancy JacksonKen McRoryGerald Neufeld & Patricia Eton-NeufeldQuinn Charitable FoundationJohn & Barbara Wood

President’s Circle ($500 & up)

John & Rochelle BarnumBarbara & John ButtarsJames FordBrad & Heather HallsElizabeth HampsonNeil & Sheila McLarenAnn & Sandy MiddletonGil & Sally StelterLawrence SugdenPeter & Susan Thompson

Chorister’s Circle ($250 & up)

Lewis & Urve AbbottBarzotti WoodworkingDavid & Lynn BeathKen & Linda FreyBarbara FriendDerek HallSteve Jacobs & Katie SandersAdrian LevytskySarah LoweDavid & Ann MurrayMarilyn MurrayJ Douglas Sanderson

Patron ($100 & up)

Carol AllisonDavid BarnumIrene BerryAndrew BurkeJanice ColesDave DavidsonMary DinsdaleBen & Norma FearKen & Dorothy FisherE . Douglas GatMarilyn GiffordJean HilbornJeremy & Megan HodgeBrian JanzenJoy KillenAudrey KitchingPatricia MartinDr Maurice BygraveDuncan MoffettMichel MoreauRosanne MorrisLinda NeufeldSandra PittsJames & Julie ServiceDavid SmithMarion StelleAnnie TremblyFelicia UrbanskiGloria Van EekLane & Sya VanGeestWayne & Anne Wrightplus various anonymous donors

Friend ($50 & up)

Sid BrodovskyBeverley ColesDerek ConrodAntony & Cathy DoddAlice FreyKathleen GahaganHerta HajekGeorge LangeYarko LevytskyMary Lynn MacDonaldBrent McArthurAnne MonkhouseGraham & Sharon NancekivellRobin OllerheadJanet RourkeJames ShuteMarianna SlatkovskyVida WinegardenKatie Zartmanplus various anonymous donors

SILENT AUCTIONS AT EVERY CONCERT!

Check out the Silent Auction items in support of the Guelph Chamber Choir at each concert this season .

Items include gift cards, dining experiences, tickets, and other great items! Bidding will close at the end of intermission .

Payment can be made by cash, cheque, e-transfer, debit, or credit card . Items to be claimed at the end of each concert .

THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING OUR REQUEST TO

Help M ak e Inspired Chor al Music PossibleYour donation will support the Guelph Chamber Choir’s efforts to present you and our community with inspired choral music to stir the human spirit . You will receive a tax receipt, acknowledgement in the concert programs and our sincere thanks for your contribution towards making this season a wonderful success .

There are two ways to donate:

Via cheque, payable to Guelph Chamber Choir and mailed, with this form, to: Box 513, Guelph, ON N1H 6K9

Online safely and securely via CanadaHelps.org, using debit card, credit card, or Paypal .

DONATION LEVELS

Friend . . . . . . . . . . . .$50 and up Patron . . . . . . . . . . . $100 and up Chorister’s Circle . . $250 and up YES! Here is my donation of President’s Circle . . $500 and up $ Conductor’s Circle $1000 and up I prefer to remain anonymous

FULL NAME

ADDRESS

CITY PROVINCE POSTAL CODE

E-MAIL PHONE

All information collected by the Guelph Chamber Choir is confidential and will not be released .www .cra-arc .gc .ca/tax/charities Charitable Tax #87575 6769 RR0001

Grants gratefully received from

Concert Sponsors

Soloist Sponsors

Community Friends

Ken Murray Fund

SWANmoving & storage

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The Family of John F. Wood

P .O . Box 513, Guelph, ON N1H 6K9Email: info@guelphchamberchoir.ca

Phone: 519-362-5500

Website: www.guelphchamberchoir.ca

Charitable registration Number: 87575 6769 RR0001

TheaTre eTiqueTTe

So that everyone can enjoy the performance, and in consideration of the artists, please note that latecomers will be seated at a suitable break . Please turn off cellphones . The use of flash photography is prohibited .

ScenTS

In consideration of those who have allergies, please refrain from using perfume or cologne .

children

We welcome children, but please remember that everyone must have a ticket, regardless of age . In consideration of the audience, and for safety, babies will not be admitted to the performance .