This summer, for the first time since 2019, musical theatre will return to Muhlenberg. The Theatre and Dance Department will present “Seussical” on the Baker Theatre stage, June 12-27. John ’97 P’27 and Faith P’27 Dowgin, whose son Caden Dowgin ’27 will be playing General Schmitz, are coordinating a gathering of Muhlenberg alumni at the Saturday, June 13, matinee (2 p.m.).
About 15 alumni of Muhlenberg Summer Musical Theatre (SMT) — the beloved summer series that was to have its 40th season in 2020 if not for the pandemic — have so far expressed interest in going.
When SMT ended, “I was disappointed, just because it had been such a formative experience for so many friends, plus a great opportunity to work on what were ultimately professional productions,” says John, a writer, director, and actor who co-founded The Porch Room, an award-winning theatre and film company, whose founders and key members include Pete Barry ’97, Adam B. Kaufman ’96, and J. Michael DeAngelis ’01. He’s pleased to see how Muhlenberg’s Department of Theatre and Dance is bringing it back: one show, supported by an arts-based summer camp program for local children.
That program, Seussicamp, is for middle schoolers interested in the performing arts. The two-week (June 15-26) program features daily instruction in acting, voice, and dance, culminating in a final showcase for family and friends.
“[Summer Musical Theatre] had been such a formative experience for so many friends, plus a great opportunity to work on what were ultimately professional productions.”
The sale, which has been going on since at least 1996, gives unwanted books new life and provides a valuable service to the campus and local communities. This year’s sale takes place May 1.
A pair of Muhlenberg coaches introduced Raymond “Randy” Salani III ’07 to the Appalachian Trail. Now, he’s published two photography books about the iconic route, with two more in the pipeline about Wyoming’s Teton Range.
