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[ Thursday, April 24, 2003 ]

Penn State Singing Lions to perform annual spring show

Collegian Staff Writer

The school year ain't over 'til the Lions sing. And at 2 p.m. Sunday in HUB Robeson Center's Heritage Hall, the Penn State Singing Lions will make that happen. The group is performing its annual spring show. This year, "What a Feeling" will be its theme.

"The officers talked about it a lot last summer," Singing Lions President Mandy Tokarek said about how the songs were chosen for the show. "We wanted a balance between upbeat things and slower things ... We are trying to appeal to a large audience, and we have all different types of genres so it can appeal to everyone."

Singing Lions
Time: 2 p.m.
Date: Sunday
Place: HUB Heritage Hall
Details: Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students

In addition to performing "What a Feeling" from Flashdance, other songs included in the show are "Dancing in the Street" and "Get On Your Feet." The group is also performing a Rodgers and Hammerstein medley in honor of Richard Rodgers who would be more than 100 years old if he were alive today. However, one of the group's favorite medleys to perform is its one based on songs from Rent.

"It's the most emotional piece that we do and everyone gets into it," dance captain Amanda Passanante said. "It's pretty moving when the whole group is doing it."

PHOTO: Adam Levin
PHOTO: Adam Levin
Members of the Singing Lions perform in a song and dance number that involves props.

Passanante helped choreograph the Rent medley. The singing and dancing the group does brings a different aspect to The Singing Lions.

"When you usually go to see a formal choir you go to sit down and listen. It's engaging in that you know the vocal quality will be very good, but you aren't expecting to see any real moving," said Julianne Cross, a member of the Singing Lions.

"When people come to see us they aren't just sitting down to listen, but to watch us sing and dance."

Throughout the school year, the group performs at various places in the State College community. Home football weekends the Singing Lions can be found outside the Student Book Store, 330 E. College Ave. The group rounds out its year with its spring tour. This March, the tour went to Florida where the group performed at Walt Disney World, among a host of other stops along the way. According to the group's Web site, the spring concert this weekend is the last scheduled event for the Singing Lions this year. "We spend all year building a 90-minute show," Passanante said. "It's a lot more theatrical than any other music show you will see."


PHOTO: Adam Levin
PHOTO: Adam Levin
The Singing Lions get down during a practice for their spring show, which will be held Sunday.
 



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