Nearly 1,000 community members, students, and friends of Northwest Christian University laughed, booed, cried and cheered along with the characters during the five performances of Spring Desserts: A Night of Disney held recently in the Ross B. Evans Chapel on campus.
“All in all, it was a smashing hit! We received incredibly positive feedback from the community who appreciated not only the entertainment, but the values of honesty, friendship, and selflessness that the story highlighted,” said Karen De Young, assistant professor of Music at NCU. “It was a huge win for families, many of whom heard about us through Facebook and stepped foot on campus for the first time this weekend.”
Music from Disney favorites, including the Lion King, Mary Poppins, Tarzan, enchanted, Beauty and the Beast, and other hits were performed by 65 students in University Choir & Orchestra, who participated in the show as actors, chorus members, and orchestra members.
More than 60 volunteers from outside the music department assisted with the show. Over 220 costumes were created and worn. Two thousand cupcakes were served.
“One of my favorite parts of the weekend was at the end of each performance,” De Young said. “At the end of the applause, little children flocked to the stage for autographs and photos with their favorite characters. It was amazing to see the college students connecting with kids on such a personal level. We certainly all feel that Disney brings people together.”
Proceeds from the annual Spring Dessert performances support NCU’s Music program, including funding tours, recording equipment, and state-of-the-art equipment.