2003 Fall draft - Uwpiaa.org

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y David Bliss Allen Editor’s note: This is the first in a twopart series on the musical heritage of UWP. The dozen songwriters who contributed their songs to the original Sing Out ’65 were longtime friends and contemporaries. For the previous ten to fifteen years they had written full-length musical plays, concert-like musical revues and “special occasion” music – working together or alone. By August 1965, they sensed they had combined the best of their music in a promising musical review. Yet none of them could foresee that Sing Out ’65 was destined within a year to become a runaway “hit” on three continents, a critical success that one New York music reviewer called “one of the most exciting musical reviews experienced theater buffs have seen in decades.” Nor did any of them dream that, from its opening performance on August 7 in a small Cape Cod town, the show would be in continuous production for the next 34 years, making it perhaps one of the longest running musical productions in the U.S. and the world in the 20th century. The Sing Out Explosion Sing Out took off like a rocket. In three months, it traveled from Cape Cod to the New York World’s Fair where it performed to 20,000 people – then to Washington, D.C., where 96 senators and congressmen hosted a performance for 4,000 in the Washington Hilton ballroom. Crossing the country by train (the “Sing Out Express”), the cast performed in the Hollywood Bowl for 15,000. Then came three national television shows and the first 500,000-copy Sing Out album. This was followed by a lightning trip to Japan to perform in Japan’s traditional Kabuki Theater – and then before the prime minister of Japan and a crowd of 12,000 in the Metropolitan Gymnasium, then to Korea to perform before the prime minister, and more thousands. In the course of the next 10 months, Sing Out grew from one cast of 300 to three casts of more UP BEAT Up with People’s Musical Heritage ... Sing Out’s Early Songwriters From left: Ralph, Herbie, Steve and Paul than 1,000. It crossed the United States again and again, performing in football stadiums, sports arenas, civic auditoriums and universities, and at the three U.S. military academies. In 1966, it traveled to Europe for mammoth live performances and national TV shows in Germany, Austria and Spain. By the end of two years Sing Out had toured to 17 countries on five continents. An estimated 150 million people had seen their shows live and over repeated national television specials in many countries. And what came to be known as “the Sing Out explosion” was fully underway. Within the first year after “liftoff ” in Cape Cod, 150 regional Sing Outs had sprung up from coast to coast – and 100 more around the world. Everyone, it seemed, was now singing “Up with People” and the Sing Out songs. During one record week in September 1966, regional Sing Outs across the U.S. performed before 100,000 people. Worldwide, there were eventually 400 local and regional shows with an estimated 60,000 cast members. It was Harambee Africa in Kenya, Sing- Out Korea in Seoul, India Arise in India, Sing-Out Venezuela, Sing- Out Panama, Sing-Out Jamaica and five casts of Sing-Out Puerto Rico in Latin America. “Down under” it was Sing-Out Australia. In Tokyo Let’s Go ’66 was performing weekly on national television. By late August 1966, a Pennsylvania editor told the Sing Out ’66 cast, “You are on the verge of becoming one of the world’s most powerful forces.” This was the explosive beginning of UWP in the 1960s. But who were these original writers of the show? And where did the inspiration, ideas and the essential “magic “ of their songs come from? The Men and Their Music Every “Uppie” alum knows the names of Paul Colwell, and his brothers Ralph and Steve – and the “musical genius,” Herb Allen. The four are near-legendary figures who deserve the major credit for creating and producing the music of UWP at the beginning and through the years. Like others in the remarkable founding team of creative artists, they developed their talents in the years after World War II, writing musical plays, revues and “special occasion” music for Moral Re- Armament – an organization that was a powerful and effective force in bringing reconciliation and the concepts of “inspired democracy” to a war-shattered world in the 1950’s and 1960’s. MRA gave remarkable hope and a purpose to thousands, premised on the simple idea of putting your own life right – and then devoting your life to putting the world right, to mending the wounds and cares and divisions of the 20th century. MRA was a significant element in bringing reconciliation between France and Germany after the war, in uniting former enemies all over the world, in helping to rebuild the institutions of postwar Japan. ... which explains why we first find young Herb Allen putting his musical training to work in warshattered Italy in the early ’50s, writing and singing songs in Communist strongholds and industrial suburbs of Milan. The Colwells burst on the scene in the mid-1950s, leaving behind a promising career in Hollywood, where they were recording for Columbia Records and performing on NBC’s weekly “Tex Williams Show.” In the dozen years before creating the music for UWP, they traveled 174,000 miles to 37 different countries on six continents. They sang songs in 47 languages - Zulu, Maharathi, Navajo, Japanese, Swahili and Maori, to mention a few. They performed before such world leaders as President Eisenhower; Chancellors Adenauer and Erhard of Germany, Prime Ministers Kishi and Sato of Japan; President Magsaysay of the Phillipines; President Prasad of India – all in all, a total of 27 heads of state, prime ministers and presidents. The “special occasion” music they wrote was varied and eclectic – songs for the important people they were meeting, songs of hope and inspiration for the world, songs for entire countries. One of them, “Vive le Congo,” became something of a national anthem for the former Belgian Congo as it gained independence from Belgium. The Colwells spent 14 dangerous months in the often-violent country, giving 483 broadcasts over the national radio, singing in many of the Congolese languages. The minister of information later said, “... without the work of these men, there would have been far worse catastrophe following independence.” Paul Colwell developed his songwriting genius during these adventurous years, singing before kings, queens, presidents and ordinary people. Years later, celebrated cellist Pablo Casals spoke of the “inspiration and delicacy” of the music of UWP and asked, “Who is your chief composer?” When told of Paul Colwell, Casals said, “He is a precious genius. Bach and Beethoven would have loved his music.” In the next issue: David Bliss Allen explains the evolution of Sing Out into UWP and pays tribute to the people who contributed to its legacy. 10 fall ‘03
B UP EAT 1970s Ray Villegas (79C) graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in English Linguistics and is now pursuing his graduate degree. His address is 1433 S. Kenneth Pl #6, Tempe, AZ 85281. He writes that the 79C website is http:// rayrocky7.tripod.com. See everyone in Tucson! 1980s Dominique Parmentier (80E) still lives in Huy and is studying to be a teacher of Flemish, English and Spanish. Her daughter Celine (18) will go to Canada for one year with Rotary. She also wanted to share with her cast that Marie Poule Tuwey (CONFIRM LAST NAME) (80E) passed away in 1996. Cherrelyn (Horton) Napue (83C) was named as a 2003 Colorado Trust Fellow. The fellowship will pay in full for a Masters of Nonprofit Management from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Katie Byers (84D) is working as Assistant Company Manager for Cirque du Soleil’s “O” in Las Vegas. She will be married to John Bakken this October 12, 2003. Effective September, her new address will be 44 La Laguna, Henderson, NV 89012. John Hiebert (84D) is married, has two daughters, and is the food and beverage director at a ski resort in northern Vermont. He writes that moving to Vermont was quite a culture shock after living in South Florida for 12 years where he owned four Italian restaurants, and obtained the Dive Master status in scuba diving. “We moved here so our daughters could grow up and live with a safer, slower paced lifestyle. Things are great!” He can be reached at Reefboy@aol.com. Mechthild “Mecky” Krahmer (87E) and her husband Dr. Michael Weichert are expecting their second child on February 29, 2004. Fiona People on the move (born April 8, 2001) is already excited to have a baby in the family. Kaat Vanhoucke (88C) and her husband Terry adopted a daughter from China in July. Born April 13, 2003, Lin is adjusting very well to her new home Lin Vanhoucke and parents. Many greetings to all 88 and 89 alumni. P.J. Culina (88E) and wife Krista are happy to announce the birth of their son, Benjamin John, born May 29, 2003. Still living in Orono, Maine where PJ is an athletic trainer at the University of Maine, they are settling in as a family of four. Madison is a great big sister to Benjamin. Joep Segers (88E) and his wife Ted recently learned of the existence of their second adoptive daughter, named Luo (last name) Xin-Dan from Foshan, Guangdong in China. She was born Aug.12, 2002 and except for a small problem, she is in perfect health! They hope to be allowed to go and get her within the next 3-6 months. Their first adopted child Pleun is ready to become a good “older” sister. Anyone who feels like coming to eat “beschuit met muisjes,” feel free to come and visit us soon! Kelly (Reynolds) Myers (88E) lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with her husband who is a computer programer. Her 7-year-old son is the light of her life. If ever in Harrisburg, please be in touch: Deafwabbit@comcast.net. We want to hear from you! Getting married? Newborn child? Back in school? Recent graduate? Get a promotion? New job? Have you moved? Yes! I have some news for the next UpBeat. Name___________________________________First cast/year ____________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Please clip or copy this form and send to: UpBeat P.O. Box 987 North Platte, NE 69103-0987 USA or e-mail your information to: upbeat@uwpiaa.org Photos are appreciated and can be returned if mailed with a self-addressed envelope. Jorge Tsuchiya (88E) married three years ago and has a beautiful year old baby daughter, Zoe. He sends greetings to his fellow cast members. Suzy Waterschoot (89A) and her husband Gert have moved out of Antwerp and now live in the same building where they have a flower shop. Their new address is Hovestraat 9, 2650 Edegem, Belgium. Together with our 3-year-old son, Atle, we enjoy it very much (for the insiders; yes, Atle was my secret Santa!) Vero (Dominguez) Fatura (89E) lives in Michigan with her husband John and their two daughters. She is a stay-at-home mom and Herbalife Independent Distributor. She can be reached at veritos@comcast.net. 1990s J. Kevin Ballard (90A) and Heather O’Connor (90A) were married on June 15, 2001 in Dover, New Jersey. Kevin is director of training and development for NorVergence, Inc. based in Newark, and Heather is a technology teacher with the Randolph (New Jersey) schools. Heather is also very busy with the New Jersey Education Association and teaches master’s level courses for teachers working toward their advanced degrees. Kevin also completed his master’s degree in Education in June 2003. Kevin and Heather live in Hopatcong, New Jersey with their two cats – Oscar and Sashimi, and can be contacted at jkevinballard@aol.com or heathermballard2@yahoo.com. Henry “Hank” Dittman (90B) after working for UWP for several stagings, completing college and kicking around the U.S. and Europe for a while, moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. Now, five years later, he’s performed in recurring, guest-starring, series regular and co-starring roles on TV shows such as Crossing Jordan, Titus, The Chris Wylde Show (for which he was also a contributing writer), Felicity, Hang Time and a new pilot for Cartoon Network that, if “picked up,” will make him the host of their UpBeat 11
Page 1 and 2: Inside UP BEAT UP BEAT News & Views
Page 3 and 4: B UP EAT UpBeat is published quarte
Page 5 and 6: UP BEAT Reunion! Reunion! reunion!
Page 7 and 8: UP BEAT Reunion! Reunion! reunion!
Page 9: Annual Awards Honor Alumni Each yea

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