Events & Reunions

Sponsored by:

Tufts Office of Alumni Relations

Location:
Aidekman Arts Center
40 Talbot Avenue
Medford, MA 02155 | See Map

When: Saturday, October 24, 2009, 7:00 pm (iCal)

Description

The Revels Repertory Company, in cooperation with the Tufts University Office of Alumni Relations, presents the Boston debut of a new musical, “Voices from the Mountain”. The show is based on the life of Olive Dame Campbell, Tufts University class of 1903, who was one of the first collectors of traditional folk songs in the Appalachian Mountains. Born in Medford, Massachusetts in 1882, Campbell and her husband, missionary John C. Campbell, visited Appalachia after their marriage. It was the singing of the English ballad Barbara Allen by a young girl on an Appalachian mountain side that first captured Campbell’s attention. Struck by the uniqueness of the child’s interpretation and her soulful voice, the Campbells set out to interview the Appalachian people (especially in North Carolina) and collect their music, most of which came from England, Scotland and Ireland several hundred years earlier, but was no longer being performed in the original style of those countries. The couple later expanded their project, gathering and recording all the folk arts of the region. The songs collected were published in English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, a collection that was critical to the American folk song revival of the 1960’s and continues to be performed, recorded and taught in schools today. The independent film, “Songcatcher,” released in 2001, was based loosely on Campbell’s story.

The stage production includes ballads, folk songs, stories, dances, and play party games performed by Revels Repertory Company’s costumed ensemble of 40 adults and children and guest instrumentalists. The program is appropriate for adults and children age six and up. There will be several opportunities for audience participation - a Revels hallmark - and a pre-show talk in the Alumni Lounge, starting at 7:00 pm. The performance is General Admission. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, and $10 for children 12 and under. Performance time is 7:30pm.

RSVP

Register online now

Cost

$15 for adults
$10 for students
$10 for children 12 and under

Contact

Laura McLaughlin, laura.mclaughlin@tufts.edu or 1-800-THE-ALUM