Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Broadway veteran to teach at PRCC

    POPLARVILLE - Broadway veteran Timothy Shew will visit the Pearl River Community College campus on Thursday, Feb. 4, to conduct a Masterclass for vocal students.
    Shew currently is appearing in the Broadway production of "Bye Bye Birdie."
    "The Masterclass with Timothy Shew is an invaluable opportunity for our students," said LaDona Tyson, director of choral groups at PRCC. "A Masterclass is really like a voice lesson that is open to the public. So not only will the students perform, they will also receive instruction and helpful information from someone who is living out their dreams. It would be like an aspiring politician spending 20 minutes with President Obama answering their questions about their first political election."
    The lengthy list of Shew’s Broadway appearances includes "Wonderful Town," Les Miserables," "The Scarlet Pimpernel," "King David," "Guys and Dolls" and "Sunset Boulevard."
    Audiences also may be familiar with his work in American touring companies of "Showboat," "Evita" and "South Pacific" and in the award-winning "Light in the Piazza." Shew has portrayed the Big Fat Man with a Bag (Santa Claus) in the Radio City Music Hall’s "Christmas Spectacular!" for seven years.
    Shew has produced "Broadway Sings on Park Avenue," a benefit concert for children affected by or infected with HIV and AIDS, for 15 years and works extensively to educate and assist at-risk children.
    He and his wife, Jane, live in New York City with their son.
    Shew also will serve as a judge for the Mississippi Showchoir Contest hosted by PRCC’s RiverRoad showchoir on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5 and 6, at William Carey College.