Monday, July 28, 2008

Schlager belts out Gershwin

Harry Schlager is a third-generation German from Russia who is pursuing his American musical dream From L.A. to Broadway. Along the way, during a stopover in Casper for the International Convention of Germans from Russia, the Californian will belt out some great Gershwin tunes and other songs from the American songbook around the Friday (8/1) Dinner Buffet at the Parkway Plaza Hotel and Convention Center. It’s scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Born in Torrington, Wyoming, to Harry and Lorraine Schlager, Harry Schlager Jr.’s grandparents were from Merkel and Neu Donhof, Russia. His mother’s parents – the Lebsacks -- came from the villages of Hussenbach and Laub, Russia.

After his school years in Torrington, where he was selected for Swing Choir and later the renowned Casper Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps, Harry enrolled at Casper Community College and studied in the studio of Pat Patton, a native of Lingle, Wyoming.

Harry earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Theatre Performance at Arizona State University in Tempe and then headed for southern California. He picked up additional musical training with the American Center for Musical Theatre Workshop and the Carol Weiss Musical Theatre Workshop, among others. He performs extensively in regional theatres and other venues across southern California, where he still lives.

The Ballroom at Parkway Plaza will be filled with the music from George Gershwin, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and other American greats. Schlager’s vocal repertoire will be accompanied keyboard stylings of Paula Flynn of Glenrock,Wyoming.

The International Convention of Germans from Russia is a joint affair between the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia in Lincoln, Nebraska, and the Germans from Russia Heritage Society in Bismarck, North Dakota. The event features more than 40 workshops for the nearly one thousand attendees. The convention opens runs through noon Sunday, August 3rd.

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