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with such clear beauty that the character became real and deserv-ing of the audience’s sympathy. This is a rare gift as this scene is often only a necessary precursor to the story.

When the devil appears to make his bargain, both characters inter-act with such openness that Kirk Eichelberger’s Méphistophélès became “the devil you loved to hate.” Kirk moved with such machismo that those of us of prop-er age would recall Errol Flynn in his signature roles. And yes, he also sang with the same virility!

Judicious cuts made the opera, while long, never tiresome. The set, simple units to represent the medieval village life, was kept a bit dark in most scenes. The magnifi-cent starry night in Marguerite’s garden was made more dramtic by this darkness.

While I try not to use the adjec-tives such as “best ever” in my reviews, I must name the final scene, Marguerite’s resurrection, to be the best ever.

As the stirring music and Anne-Carolyn Bird’s magnificent voice mounted, the prison bars became a scene of exploding galaxies, meteor showers and radiant light. John Rensel devised this thrilling display and every person in the audience welcomed Marguerite into her well-deserved celestial reward.

“Bankston Magic” continues for two performances, Friday April 16th and Sunday April 18th. Don’t miss it or “the devil may

get you!”WSU Arts Gala

The Wright State Arts Gala, in its eleventh year, kept its reputa-tion as the “most fun evening in Dayton” alive and well. This incredible display of the manifold talents of the WSU students is enhanced by endless and highly varied food stations and non-stop energy by the student performers. Breathless guests trying to experi-ence everything available are seen darting from venue to venue, all replete with ear-to-ear smiles.

This Gala had a very special guest - Governor Ted Strickland broke the mold of typical poli-ticians’ appearances. He came early and stayed late. And, from the clear evidence of his smile, he enjoyed every moment.

The evening is the collabora-tion of all the arts departments of WSU. President Dave Hopkins and Dean Charles Taylor were full of pride in their introduc-tory remarks. This pride is well-deserved by the entire uni-versity and Dayton deserves to revel in its far-reaching successes. Congratulations to all as I salute the hard work of the committee led by co-chairs Vicki Pegg and Robert McGriff and the tireless staff led by Jennifer Cabrera.

The real stars of the evening are the 35 talented students who have received Arts Gala scholarships this year. Someday, we will be able to double that number.

I’ll let you all know the date of next year’s Gala. This is really a don’t miss!

Faust from page 8 Josh Halpern to perform cello recital April 18 Oakwood resident Josh Halpern will perform a cello recital on Sunday, April 18 at 2:30 p.m. at Sears Recital Hall on the University of Dayton campus. The recital is free and open to the community. Josh, a sophomore at Oakwood Junior High School, will play a pro-gram of Bach, Brahms, and Saint-Saens. He is co-principal cellist in the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and Muse Machine and performs with the Oakwood High School Symphony Orchestra. He is also a founding member of the Blackbird String Quartet, which has performed together at public and private events throughout the region.

Josh currently studies with Alan Rafferty, cellist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. This summer, Josh will attend the Meadowmount School of Music in Westmont, New York, a seven-week summer school for accomplished young strings play-ers training for professional careers in music. At Meadowmount, he will study with Hans Jorgen Jensen, professor of cello at Northwestern University’s School of Music. In previous summers, he has attend-ed Boston University Tanglewood Institute’s String Quartet Program and the Credo Chamber Music Program at Oberlin Conservatory.

Auditions for musical Annie Auditions for the Summer Arts Festival’s production of Broadway musical ANNIE will be held on Friday and Saturday, April 16 and 17, at the Heritage Center of Clark County, 117 S. Fountain Avenue, downtown Springfield. Roles for approximately twelve girls (ages 7-14) and for approximately twenty to thirty teens and adults are available.

No experience is required, and auditions are open to the public. Complete audition informa-tion, including audition times and other details, is available at springfieldartscouncil.org ANNIE will be presented at the Summer Arts Festival on June 17, 18, and 19 at 8 p.m. The performance is produced by Ohio Lyric Theatre and The Springfield Arts Council.

Josh Halpern

PianoLessons

Linda MenchInstructor

643-3359Studio located

in Oakwood

Beginning in JanuaryBaby Sign Language Classes & Parent

Workshops

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