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NORTH MANCHESTER - As part of Manchester College's Public Program Series, A Victorian Magic Lantern Halloween Show will be offered to the public at Cordier Auditorium Thursday at 7 p.m.
The Halloween show starts the 2000-01 public series season, which is packed with special musical guests.
Presented by the American Magic Lantern Theater, the Halloween show will bring ghosts, goblins and spooky tales to the screen in a turn-of-the-century format that preceded cinema. The show appeals to adults and children ages 6 and up.
Manchester College Public Relations Director Michael Schug said, "The Public Program Series is an annual series" with "four to five (performances) per year."
Performances range anywhere from music to theater and sometimes a speaker, he said.
"Last April we had a Pulitzer prize-winning poet," Schug said. "The series offers, what we hope, a variety of entertainment for all kinds of people."
And part of that variety comprises The Battle Creek Boychoir, a group of boys between the ages of 9 and 14. The Boychoir has performed in 24 states and six countries. They perform musical works ranging from Handel to Bach, to Bernstein and medleys from "Mary Poppins."
The Battle Creek Boychoir will perform at Cordier Auditorium Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.
Internationally known tenor Darryl Taylor also will perform as part of the series in "An Evening of Music with Darryl Taylor" Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.
Taylor is considered a master of art song, opera and oratorio. He performs everything from Bach to Britten and beyond. While appearing with orchestras in the United States and Europe, Taylor also has been credited with several debut performances - many written especially for his voice.
In 1990, Taylor recorded "To the Children of War," a cycle of songs composed by Deon Nielson Price with texts by Maya Angelou.
Also performing as part of this season's program is Percussion Group Cincinnati at 7 p.m. March 15.
Founded in 1979, the group uses everything from amplified cactus needles, newspapers and garbage cans to the traditional sounds of drums, cymbals and bells from around the world.
This year's Public Program Series includes performances for all ages.
"It looks like this began in 1952," Schug said of the series. Over the years, he said, guests have included: Carl Rowan, lecturer and newspaper columnist; Ralph Nader; the Indianapolis Symphony; Eric Sevareid, from CBS news; Elenor Roosevelt; the Cinncinati Ballet; the National Shakespeare Co.; and Sen. Richard Lugar.
For ticket information on upcoming events, call 982-5551. All Public Program Series events take place in Cordier Auditorium at Manchester College. Tickets for the Victorian Halloween Show are $15 per person, $10 for senior citizens and $7 for students. MC students are admitted free.
