DeSales

Orefield resident

performs in plays

Orefield resident and DeSales University Theatre major Carter Sachse played Lewis Payne in the Act 1 DeSales University Theatre premiere of “A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration.”

The play ran Nov. 30-Dec. 11, 2022 on the Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, Center Valley.

Written by Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel with music by Daryl Waters, “A Civil War Christmas” is set on a cold Christmas Eve in Washington, D.C. in 1864.

President Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd are planning their gift giving, while on the banks of the Potomac, a young rebel soldier asks for mercy from a Union blacksmith.

In a downtown alley, Hannah, an escaped enslaved woman searches for her daughter after sending her off to discover freedom.

Along with the sounds of holiday music, marches, hymns, and spirituals, the musical weaved together multiple stories from one of the darkest moments of our nation’s history to create a story of hope, peace, and resilience.

Paris Crayton III was the director and choreographer of the production.

Crayton, an award-winning playwright, actor, and director, was a guest artist for Act 1.

He has written more than 50 plays, 21 of which have been produced around the country.

Will Neuert, associate professor and head of design, created the Washington D.C. of the late 19th Century, and Deborah Burrill, costume designer, recreated the period costumes. Eric T. Haugen, assistant professor, served as lighting designer, and David M. Greenberg, sound designer.

Sachse understudied company members in the university’s Act 1 production of the musical revue “Side by Side” by Sondheim from Oct. 13-23, 2022.

“Side by Side” by Sondheim is a tribute to the wit, wisdom, and genius of one of Broadways’ greatest composers and lyricists.

Sondheim has been the undisputed leader of the musical theatre for the past 50 years and his timeless work continues to enchant and provoke audiences today.

Songs from some of his most famous shows like “Gypsy,” “A Little Night Music,” “Follies,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” and “Company” were performed.

Act 1 is the highly acclaimed producing arm of the DeSales University Division of Performing Arts that encourages students to bring truth and beauty to the world through their art forms in plays, musicals, children’s theatre, dance concerts, and film festivals.