Nancy Wood and Paul Safar - Artistic Directors
Paul Safar received his B.Mus from the College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, OH. He composes in a wide variety of styles and is a past recipient of the Erik Satie “Mostly Tonal Award” from the American Music Center. He has produced five CDs of original music, from folk to classical to jazz. His choir pieces have been performed in Seattle and Eugene and his chamber music in New York City’s CAMI Hall. In 1995, Paul had an original folk opera entitled Chenoa performed by the Dark County Civic Theater in Greenville, Ohio. He has also premiered works in the classical series “The Seventh Species Composers Concerts” in Portland OR. He wrote the music for the children’s theater musical Nisse’s Dream, which was produced at the Lord Leebrick Theater in Eugene, OR in August 2005. Also at Lord Leebrick, he and his partner Nancy Wood produced a concert of new music, Visual Music 2006, featuring new works by Northwest composers and performance artists, including new works of his own for four hands piano and chamber quartet. In addition to creating and performing with Nancy, Paul teaches piano and composition. Paul is a member of BMI and the American Music Center.
Nancy Wood has spent her life studying the performing arts. Growing up in Minnesota, she started singing in the Lutheran church as a teen, and performed as a soloist, in ensembles, choirs and musical theater throughout college. She is also a United States Figure Skating Association Gold Medalist and she toured professionally with Holiday on Ice International. She attended Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota, during which time she studied theater, dance, literature and voice. As a vocalist, she has performed throughout Oregon, including headlining at Jazz De Opus, one of Portland’s premiere jazz venues, as well as performing in Portland’s Classical Composers series, “The Seventh Species”. She wrote the book for the children’s theater musical Nisse’s Dream, and co-wrote the lyrics with her partner, Paul Safar. She choreographed the “Troll Ballet” from Nisse’s Dream as well as originating the role of Mother/Witch in the premiere production in 2005. She directed, choreographed and performed in Visual Music 2006-2009. She also performs regularly for with Cascadia Composers in Portland Oregon, and recently was the Soprano Soloist in Agnieszka Laska Dancers multi-media piece 'Lamentatio" .Nancy is a member of BMI, The Dramatist’s Guild, and the International Dance Council.
Nisse's Dream - A Children's Theatre Musical for ALL ages!
Nisse’s Dream: a boy, his cow, a witch and the TROLLS!
Music by Paul Safar
Lyrics by Paul Safar and Nancy Wood
Book by Nancy Wood
Nisse’s Dream is the story of a young man named Nisse who must retrieve his family's stolen cow from Neem the Queen and her greedy pack of bumbling trolls. On his journey he finds friendship and encouragement from a loyal dog, a pompous bear, and a magical blue witch who just happens to be his mother in disguise. Complete with magic tricks and a “troll ballet” Nisse’s Dream is a delightful addition to the world of children’s music and theater.
In August 2005, Nisse’s Dream was performed at the Lord Leebrick Theater in Eugene, Oregon. Directed by Maggie Tryk, produced by Cherry Blossom Musical Arts and sponsored in part by grants from the Oregon Community Foundation, the Lane Arts Council, and many private donors, this first production of Nisse’s Dream had a cast of 21 children, youth and adults and a six-piece chamber orchestra. Every performance sold out, with a total audience of over 800 people, and enthusiastic reviews, some of which follow:
"Nisse's Dream, an original children's musical by Eugeneans Paul Safar and Nancy Wood, is that rare breed of kid's entertainment: It's fun. It's wholesome. It has a positive message. And the kids you know will love it anyway, without even realizing they're learning something in the process."
Sara Brickner - Eugene Weekly (Aug 12, 2005)
“Nisse’s Dream is a lovely, high quality project full of sweetness and charm”
Landis Smith, Producing Director- Enchantment Theatre Company- Philadelphia, PA
“The music is wonderful and the story and delivery are fun!”
Peter Alsop- Children’s Entertainer & Family Therapist- Los Angeles, CA
"This musical play is delightful, meaningful, and humorous. The music is gorgeous and both artists' voices are lovely and expressive. The pace is just right - not too slow or too fast - for all age groups. Adults will enjoy this CD as much as children. A great story beautifully told."
Susi Halley- Greenville, OH
"This is better than TV!"
Reviewer: Elliot Blackwell-age 4
Nisse’s Dream can be performed with cast sizes anywhere from 7-30, with adults, children/teens, or mixed ages in the cast. The music can be performed by a chamber ensemble or piano only. Scripts and scores are available by contacting the authors directly.
Nisse’s Dream is indeed the kind of children’s musical theater that has it all- great music, a great story, endearing characters, dancing trolls, and a message that helps people of all ages find the courage to pursue their dreams.
For those of you who missed the show, the popular storytelling/music CD of Nisse’s Dream, performed by Paul Safar and Nancy Wood, is available in Eugene at CD World, Tsunami Books, and on the web at www.cdbaby.com/safarp4.
History/Mission of Cherry Blossom
Cherry Blossom’s Visual Music:
“Art Music Meets Dance, juggling and mayhem- vaudeville style
Cherry Blossom Musical Arts- a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization
Cherry Blossom Musical Arts was founded by Paul Safar and Nancy Wood. Our mission is to create performances in which composers collaborate with artists from a broad spectrum of the performing arts, presenting live shows to the community.
In 2005, the Oregon Community Foundation, the Lane Arts Council and private donors sponsored Cherry Blossom’s original production, “Nisse’s Dream, a children’s theater musical”, at Eugene’s Lord Leebrick Theater, delighting an audience of over 800 people.
In 2006, Cherry Blossom produced Visual Music, bringing together composers, choreographers and visual artists in an adventurous show at Lord Leebrick. Then Tsunami Books hosted New Music, New Words, New Moves- two free shows with a literary flair!
Visual Music 2007 was presented on the vaudeville stage at the Oregon Country Fair, complete with musicians, jugglers, sound sculpture and dancers. Aerial arts were part of the mix as Islando Bocock and Ukoiyah Mastin from Dream Science Circus performed high among the trees.
Visual Music 2008 included collaboration with the Agnieszka Laska Dancers, who have performed in Mexico and Europe, as well as Bianca Sapetto, formerly of Cirque Du Soleil. The highlight of 2008 was three rolicking performances at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon!
Visual Music 2009 was called the Cat and Bird Vaudeville Show- a lighthearted bit of theater in which Yellow Warbler, a flighty little bird, decides to try to become a Cat for awhile. In this show birds "meow" and cats flu, and everything goets topsy turvy! This show was performed at the Oregon Country Fair and at Agate Hall at the U of O.