News And Events
2021-2022 Season
News
The Syracuse Branch of the English-Speaking Union finished its 2021-2022 season with the pleasure of hosting Evelyn Wrench speaker James Stebbings, introduced by chapter president Carl Borning.
James Stebbings with Alice Borning May
Mr. Stebbings spoke on Richard D'Oyly Carte, a theater icon in the late 19th century who established theaters and an opera house in London and was instrumental, along with his family, in promoting the careers of Gilbert and Sullivan. Mr. Stebbing's presentation, "A Very English Dynasty," was informative and entertaining.
May Meeting Subject Robert D'Oyly Carte
Previous to the May meeting, the ESU Syracuse Chapter met regularly this winter and spring with several excellent presentations.
Our December luncheon and meeting featured vocal students from Onondaga Community College and their director Lisa Miller in "OCC Sings for the Holidays" Member Marjorie Julian presented Associate Professor of Music and Sound Recording Coordinator, Lisa Miller.
January brought us George Cunningham who spoke about the life and poetry of Scotland's poet laureate Robert Burns in a program entitled "Celebrating Bobby Burns."
George Cunningham
Mr. Cunningham also entertained us with readings of Burns' poetry and with his own performance on the bagpipes. Mr. Cunningham was introduced by member Shirley Cruikshank.
George Cunningham and Shirley Cruikshank
JoAnn Wallace presented our February speaker, Len Fonte, a playwright and theater critic who calls Syracuse home. He spoke on the topic "Shakespeare and the Stage." Mr. Fonte has directed over forty productions and was accepted into the 2010 Kennedy Center Playwriting Intensive, a series of rigorous workshops.
Len Fonte and JoAnn Wallace
April brought us music and opera performer Colby Thomas. Ms. Thomas has performed worldwide, starring in several productions, including playing the role of Christine in Hamburg, Germany's, production of "Phantom of the Opera." She is an expert on American Musical Theater and is presently teaching, performing and directing at SUNY at Oneonta. She was introduced by member Alice Borning.
Colby Thomas and Alice Borning, April Meeting