The cast has been named for the 26th annual Ye Olde Madrigal Dinner Concert.
Kathryn Sarver directs her second Madrigal production, which allows area residents to celebrate Christmas in the ancient tradition of Merrie Olde England. Shows will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 9, 10, 11 and 2 p.m. Dec. 12 in The Great Hall of the Castle (IVCC’s Upper Gym).
Admission is $22.50 and includes dinner.
The cast includes Karry Baracani-Halbleib of Malden as the queen and Giacomo Leone of La Salle as the king. Heralds are Amanda Gruenwald of LaSalle and Sean Walsh of Oglesby.
Madrigal singers are Candy Johnson of Wyanet, Jessica Ford of Tonica, Caryn DeCarlo of Peru, Tom Walsh of Olgesby, Cassie Pratt of Arlington, Amanda Posey of La Salle, Ashley Mahnich of Oglesby, Danielle Buczkowski of Peru, Barbara Rychtarik of Ottawa, Megan Zomboracz of Peru, Angela Brown of Hennepin, Rosemarie Walsh of Oglesby, Jennifer Stuart of La Salle, Jennifer Baracani of Peru, Donnna Mesarchik of Leonore, Alissa Nimee of Spring Valley, Amanda Castelli of Ottawa, Michelle Parsons of Peru, Nicole Pfeiffer of Skokie, George Ferroni of Oglesby, Erica Cook of Earlville, Missy Reutner of Mendota, David Kuester of LaSalle, Edward Vasquez of Peru, Luke Schweickert of Oglesby, Nathan Nosalik of La Salle, Sarah Heitmann of Mendota, Sharlene Peterson of Paw Paw and Steven Miller of Seneca.
The brass ensemble is comprised of David Peterson of La Salle, Rob Smeets of Ottawa, Barb Kinzer of Ottawa, Paul Peterson of La Salle, Betsy Klopsic of Spring Valley and Michael Pecharik of La Salle.
The Dance Center in La Salle will provide the acrobats for the Madrigal.
The dinner is set in traditional old English style and begins with fanfared entrances of the lords and ladies followed by a toast to the holiday season. Servings include boar’s head pate, wild fowl with rice, berry salad, green beans with almond nuts and flaming plum pudding.
Throughout the dinner, the lords and ladies are entertained by singers, dancers, musicians, jesters and tumblers.
Madrigal singing, brought to England from Italy in the 16th Century, was at first an informal and private form of entertainment. Frequently, the lords and ladies performed the music themselves as they sat at dinner in the Great Hall.
American versions of the dinners were presented as early as 1933 and have become increasingly popular at high schools, colleges, universities and churches.
Tickets are available in the Bookstore or by calling 224-0487.
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