College of Arts and Architecture
Interim Dean - Yvonne Gaudelius, ymg100@psu.edu
Editor - Amy Milgrub Marshall, alm157@psu.edu
Director of Alumni Relations and Communications - Joyce Hoffman
Designer - James Collins
Writers
Amy Milgrub Marshall
Flora Marynak
John M. Rafacz
Letters and inquiries may be directed to:
Joyce Hoffman
The Pennsylvania State University
215 Wagner Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-0621
FAX: 814-863-5526
jhoffman@psu.edu
wagon train show reunion
Thirty years after they crisscrossed the country in covered wagons, the cast of the Wagon Train Show celebrated with a reunion and revival performances July 1–4, 2006, in State College and at Fort Roberdeau, near Tyrone.
The Wagon Train Show was commissioned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to celebrate the 200th anniversary of America in 1976. The musical revue featured music by Don Tucker and Bruce Trinkley, Penn State professor emeritus of music, and lyrics by Tucker and Roger Cornish.
Throughout 1975–76, five companies of six performers, including Penn Staters and others from across the country, traveled in wagons powered only by horses and gave more than 2,000 performances in all 50 states. The convoys converged at Valley Forge on July 4, 1976, and performed for the nation’s 200th birthday celebration.
Wagon Train Show performers who attended the reunion included: Velma Anstadt Lubliner ’82, Kathy Beck (Kate Beckman) ’78g, Larry Biren, Jody Brinley ’76, Bobbi Burger Brunoehler ’76, Ron Byron ’77, Nancy Compton Wusinich, Cindy Crider Neal, Teri Gemberling-Johnson ’73, Janie Gioffre Reynolds, Peter Hennings ’72, Michael Landau ’75, Nick Leone, Dan McGeachy, Kathleen McGrath ’75, J.C. Neal, Kerry Palanjian and Sherry Smith McCamley ’77. In addition, stage managers Vonny Boarts, Michael Meagher and Jerry James ’76g were in attendance. The reunion was also attended by Manuel Duque, director; Douglas Cook, producer; Bruce Trinkley, composer; Del Boarts, technican; Montez King, costume designer; Violet Cornish, widow of composer Roger Cornish; and Lynn Miller, former assistant dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Arts and Architecture.
Original cast members of the Wagon Train Show and others involved in the production were happy to reunite and perform again in the unique show that played a significant role in their lives 30 years ago. Photos courtesy Del and Vonny Boart.
Cover Captions
COVER CAPTIONSFirst Row: 1) “Endless City” by Brian Alfred (’97 B.F.A. Art). 2) Dennis Paoletti (’67 B.S. Architecture), an expert in the field of acoustical design, has worked on many high-profile architectural projects, including the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco. Second Row: 1) Steven Adler (’86 M.F.A. Theatre) is the author of On Broadway: Art and Commerce on the Great White Way, among other publications. 2) While working at Yosemite National Park, Amy Schneckenburger (’84 B.L.A.) managed the development of the Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan. This picture shows the river in Yosemite Valley near Sentinel Beach. (Photo by Jeffrey Trust) Third Row: 1) An installation at the Charles Cowles Gallery in New York City, where Mary Dohne (’97 B.A. Art History and French) is director. 2) As creative director at W magazine, Dennis Freedman (’74 B.A. Art) was the vision behind this photo of Kate Moss, taken by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott for the April 2006 issue. 3) Facsimile page of a Renaissance music manuscript, representing the work of musicologist Honey Meconi (’74 B.A. Music).Fourth Row: 1) Dennis Freedman also designed the photo shoot for this image of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, taken by Steven Klein for the July 2006 issue of W. 2) Randy Hudson (’74 B.Arch.) was project manager for Eastview Terrace Housing on the University Park campus. Fifth Row: 1) Louis Astorino’s (’69 B.S. Architecture) firm, Astorino, was architect-of-record (with HOK Sports) for Pittsburgh’s PNC Park, which has won numerous awards, including 2002 Building of the Year from the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania. 2) As design director for O, The Oprah Magazine, Carla Frank (’82 B.A. Graphic Design) created this spread.
