Celebrate America
Patriotism and a look back into the life of American composer George M. Cohan are the themes of this year’s Constitution Week kick-off event “Celebrate America.”
The patriotic show, held Sept. 13 through Sept. 15 in the Utah State University ballroom, is in honor of the Constitution being signed Sept.17, and is a Broadway-style, fast-paced musical tribute to Cohan who was honored by Congress for his contributions to American music, said Brenda Anthony, the show coordinator.
“He [Cohan] was very patriotic and a very successful showman,” Anthony said.
“Celebrate America” will take the audience from Cohan’s childhood in the Vaudeville World War I era to his performing days with his family as “The Four Cohans,” to Cohan’s maturity.
The program will also highlight some of Cohan’s most well-known works such as “Grand ‘Ole Flag,” “Give My Regards To Broadway” and the war-time anthem “Over There.” The show also includes a musical rendition of the Preamble of the Constitution, “We The People,” arranged and put to music by former Utah State University student Ben Salsbury, Anthony said.
“We try to bring people’s attention to the fact that we do have a Constitution and that it is the backbone of America,” Anthony said.
The patriotic event will include a buffet dinner along with many types of dancing and an opportunity for audience members to dance when the show is over.
“I understand that students love swing dancing. This event will feature a live orchestra as put together by Dr. Larry Smith in the music department,” Anthony said. Smith said the opportunity to arrange the orchestra music for the nine-piece band was challenging, yet rewarding.
“It took me all summer. Every spare second I could squeeze in, I worked on it,” Smith said. “It was enjoyable, but a very big commitment.”
The cast and crew is made up mostly of USU students who auditioned last April for the singing and dancing roles.
“We had a really great turnout for auditions,” Anthony said. “This cast that has been working on this all summer have been working their hearts out. We’re ready to give you a great show,” she said.
Anthony and others on the committee are all volunteers. Everything – down to the costumes – were donated or made. The program is sponsored by local businesses including the Taggart Student Center, Anthony said.
“It’s not a for-profit program,” she said. “I volunteer all of my time, as does all of the committee. We do it because we believe in the cause, the promotion of the Constitution and patriotism.”
The show starts at 7 p.m., and tickets can be purchased at the TSC Ticket Office or by calling Brenda Anthony at 753-1551 after 5 p.m. or on weekends. Tickets are $35 each. There is a student special Thursday night and tickets are $25with a USU ID.
“We know students are on a tight budget, which is why we’re having a student night,” Anthony said. “If you really want to impress a date, this is the place to bring them.”