Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 5, 1991 TAG: 9104050457
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERTA GREEN/ SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The New Virginians will bring their talent and enthusiasm back to town tonight and Saturday night in their annual "Homeshow."
A Cole Porter medley, selections from Broadway's "A Chorus Line," and a musical salute to the flag are all part of the entertainment that the 22 singers and dancers and the 15 band members have planned for the shows in Burruss Auditorium on the Tech campus. Showtime is at 8 each night.
"We feature soloists, exciting production numbers, lots of great dancing, a terrific show band and complete sound, lighting, and special effects," said Don Rieley, New Virginians marketing director and a graduate student in marketing and international studies.
"We have the largest technical college-level show in the country, and it's an incredibly professional, active show," said Rieley. "We have smoke, smog, light flashes, strobe lights, the works!"
To make the show work technically, some 30 technicians set up and strike the lights, audio, set and wardrobe for the show. They're all full-time Tech students.
Few of the students who showcase the talent of this large and diverse university are studying theater or music. "It probably comes as a surprise to the average person to learn that the members of this group are majoring in everything from finance to apparel design, English to mechanical engineering, biochemistry to pre-dentistry," Rieley said.
The New Virginians grew out of what was once the Virginia Tech Glee Club. In 1971, Tech President T. Marshall Hahn decided to use the performing group to promote the university in a musical format. The New Virginians was born.
The group performs more than two dozen times a year for fund-raisers, conferences and conventions, and at such special celebrations as the White House's Easter egg roll.
Many of the members continue to perform during summers away from school. Eight of this year's singers already have contracts to perform at Opryland USA, Kings Dominion, Carowinds and in dinner theater.
New Virginian Kelly Arwood, a senior in elementary education, will return to Opryland for her fifth summer. "Opryland does a lot more for their employees than most theme parks," Arwood said in the group's newsletter. She was referring to the professional seminars and opportunities to meet with such stars as Marie Osmond, Lee Greenwood, and Minnie Pearl.
Tickets to "Homeshow" can be obtained by calling 231-6456 or coming by Patton Hall, Room 321. They also are available at the door.
Tickets are $5 for faculty, staff, students and the elderly and $8 general admission. Tonight only, there is a family plan. Two parents and all of their children can attend for $19.
by CNB