UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- "Mass" -- a theater piece for singers, players and dancers that’s a collaborative venture among Penn State’s School of Music, School of Theatre and Center for the Performing Arts -- comes to Eisenhower Auditorium for performances at 7:30 p.m. April 5 and 2 p.m. April 6. The event is part of the College of Arts and Architecture's celebration of its 50th anniversary.
A journey of faith and what that means to people, "Mass" is sometimes humorous, occasionally bawdy and at times profoundly moving. Bernstein’s masterpiece, based on the Roman Catholic liturgy, includes passages sung in Latin with additional texts in English by Bernstein, Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz and pop songwriter Paul Simon. The work, scored for orchestra, marching and rock bands, actors and dancers also features rock, blues, Broadway and classical music.