College of Southern Nevada revives its holiday madrigal dinner

Stresses of a 21st century Christmas season getting you down? How about taking a break from crushing modernity by reveling for a few hours in the pleasures of an old-time holiday celebration?

And make it a really, really old-time -- the late 16th century, in fact -- celebration, via the College of Southern Nevada Music Department's Madrigal Dinner.

The event, with seatings scheduled for Friday and Saturday evenings, will feature dinner, music, singing and skits in the Nicholas J. Horne Theatre on the college's Cheyenne campus.

Mark Wherry, head of CSN's vocal music program, jokes that the madrigal dinner, which serves as a fundraiser for the college's music program, will be "sort of like a Renaissance festival, but without all the bodices and fair maidens running around without undergarments on."

The plan, Wherry adds, will be to "re-create the ceremonial pomp of Merrie Olde England" circa 1550 or 1600.

Previous madrigal dinners took place at CSN in 2002 and 2005, Wherry says. "It's really hard to put these things together, and even right now, I'm thinking I know why it's been so long since we did one.

"It's sort of like doing a musical, only it's like putting together parts of a puzzle, because there are going to be some comedic things -- some comedic sketches -- there's going to be a sword fight, and there's going to be dancing."

Also scheduled will be an opening processional and "presentation of the boar's head, which is a traditional event for this sort of thing," Wherry says.

Guests will be seated on the stage of the Horn theater against a backdrop that "looks like the inside of a castle," Wherry says, with design touches intended to "make the theater look as much like a castle as we can."

The three-course meal will feature "wild beast stew" and "roasted fowle," Wherry says, as well as a traditional wassail toast accompanied by song.

Hewing to another tradition of the time, guests will be introduced by heralds as they enter the theater. Doors open at 7 p.m., guests will be announced at 7:20 and a processional begins at 7:30.

Throughout the evening, guests will be entertained by dancers, singers, actors and comics, all of whom are members of CSN's College Singers and Chamber Chorale. Students have been rehearsing for the event for about seven weeks, adds Wherry, conductor of the Chamber Chorale, who will be joined by Ryan Gourley, conductor of the College Singers.

Seating is available for about 100 guests, and reservations are required. In fact, Wherry recommends that those who do wish to attend make their reservations today.

Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0280.