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Bits ‘n’ Pieces: VSAA graduate snags varied roles in ‘Billy Elliot’

The Columbian
Published: April 19, 2010, 12:00am
3 Photos
Tony Clarno
Tony Clarno Photo Gallery

Vancouver School of Arts and Academics graduate Tony Clarno is putting his music and dance training to work in “Billy Elliot the Musical” at the Ford Center for Performing Arts Oriental Theatre in Chicago. Clarno, 28, is the first understudy for Tony, Billy’s older brother. He’s also a dancer and singer in the ensemble, and captain of the acrobatic and fight scenes.

Clarno was born and raised in Vancouver, and most of his family still lives here. He last performed locally in 2006 as Riff in the Portland Center Stage production of “West Side Story.”

“Billy Elliot” opened April 11 in Chicago and has an open-ended run. In terms of production, it’s Clarno’s biggest show yet.

“It’s an amazing show,” he said. “It won 10 (2009 Tony Awards). I’m incredibly lucky to be a part of it.”

Professor draws on literary experience for lecture

Portland resident and Clark College English professor Gail Robinson will have plenty of experience to draw on when she gives a lecture at the college this week.

Robinson is nearing completion of her first memoir, which she has been working on for more than eight years. She will speak about it at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Penguin Student Lounge in the Penguin Union Building.

Robinson, 48, chalks up the time spent on the project to the rigors of teaching and the changing scope of the project.

The book follows her family’s journey in the aftermath of her sister’s suicide 22 years ago. “I am drawn to write, and the story that I feel most compelled to write about right now is my family, figuring out my family and figuring out myself.”

Robinson will read from the currently untitled memoir and discuss the genre in her lecture, the latest in the college’s Faculty Speakers Series.

The book is about 90 percent completed, Robinson estimates. She will shop the book to publishers when it is completed.

Vancouver musician tunes up for a busy summer

It might only be April, but that hasn’t stopped River City Band guitarist, bassist and vocalist Jerry Hatcher from gearing up for a busy summer.

The Vancouver resident will join his bandmates at a variety of gigs this summer, including festivals, weddings, corporate events and the outdoor Movies in the Park series.

It’s a new direction for the band, which performs a mix of jazz, classic rock, disco, country and rock ‘n’ roll.

River City Band is cutting down the number of gigs it performs in bars and clubs, opting instead for more family-friendly shows. “Those are a lot of fun,” Hatcher said. “We’re a variety band, and that gives us the chance to play music we like to play.”

River City Band leans on audience participation at the family shows. The band has held hula hoop contests during its sets and sometimes invites audience members on stage to play the cowbell, maracas or tambourines.

Performing outside in the nice weather is an added benefit, Hatcher said. “You’ve got great weather, and you can be outside. And there’s nothing like being outside on a stage, playing music for people. It’s so awesome,” he said. “You can’t ask for much more than that.”

Bits ’n’ Pieces appears Mondays and Fridays. If you have a story you’d like to share, call Features Editor Elisa Williams, 360-735-4561, or e-mail elisa.williams@columbian.com.<I>

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