January 2, 2009
Friday, 8:00 pm

THE YALE WHIFFENPOOFS

Every year, fourteen senior men are selected to be in the Yale Whiffenpoofs, the world’s oldest and most famous a cappella group. Founded in 1909, the “Whiffs” began as a senior quintet that met for concerts at Mory’s Temple Bar, the renowned Yale tavern that dates back to 1849. Cole Porter, Yale Class of 1913, highlights the list of noteworthy Whiffenpoof alumni, which also includes Senator Prescott Bush, father of former President George H.W. Bush.

Today, the group has become one of Yale’s most celebrated and hallowed traditions, carrying on almost a century of musical excellence and professional showmanship at Yale, across America, and around the world. In recent years, satisfied clients have included hotels, corporations, and the likes of Presidents Reagan, Bush, and Clinton, Mother Theresa, and the Dalai Lama, in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Rose Bowl, and for events such as the World Series, Saturday Night Live, NBC’s Today Show and The West Wing. A cappella arrangements of jazz standards, classic ballads, traditional Yale songs, and recent popular hits continue to delight audiences all over the world.

The Whiffenpoofs maintain a performance schedule of over 200 concerts annually, in addition to recording an album and embarking on a 17-week world tour. The Whiffenpoofs are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports a worldwide children’s literacy campaign and educates students about music and a cappella singing.

February 22, 2009
Sunday, 2:00 pm

Lots of laughs and great songs have made this favorite hit Broadway show one of the most memorable musicals of all time. Fully costumed cast of 20 with 8 piece orchestra take you right back to the fabulous 60's.

When rock star and teenage heartthrob Conrad Birdie gets drafted, the nation’s teenagers go haywire and Conrad’s songwriter, Albert, faces unemployment. So Albert and his girlfriend organize a nationwide contest in which one lucky girl wins a farewell kiss from Conrad on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Kim McAfee turns out to be the lucky teenager and Conrad’s whole entourage moves into her quiet Midwestern home – much to the chagrin of her ever-irritable father and her jealous boyfriend. The result is chaos and a series of romantic complications.

The momentous hit tunes include “Put On AHappy Face”, “A Lot of Livin’To Do”, “One Last Kiss”, “One Boy”, the riotous lament of parents with teenagers “What’s The Matter With Kids Today?”, and the uproarious salute to the greater glory of Ed Sullivan entitled “Hymn For A Sunday Evening!”. It was a winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical.