playbill vip

Alan Case

The strength and reputation of the  theatrical  and musical communities of Geneseo can be  traced in a large part  to Alan Case.  For  Geneseo Community  Players his involvement  began as  Assistant Stage Manager on Pajama  Game in 1978 and his last as Musical  Director  for this production of Oliver.  For more than  three decades  Alan played rehearsals, directed, designed and painted sets, coached and  mentored GCP casts and crews alike.  This year  was the first Geneseo  Summer Festival that  Alan wasn’t playing in the park.  If not with  GCP,  with String Band and for a few years he  played ragtime piano for an hour or two. That was the rare solo piano performance by such a talented artist.  Alan preferred to accompany, support and guide rather than be in the spotlight.   It was his connection to music and his ability to teach and help each actor shine; that was his satisfaction and reward. 

Alan came to Geneseo from Cutchoque, NY a small community on the north fork of Long Island.  He played for community theatre groups there while in high school.  He came to Geneseo as a special education major. He was asked to play for a class in the music department and that started his long involvement with the SUNY Geneseo Music Department.  He became a staff member in 1982.  Between his student and staff positions Alan had played over 1,000 recitals, made musical contributions to over 150 musical productions from SUNY Geneseo, GCP, Eastman Opera Theatre, Off-Monroe Players, Blackfriars and Rochester Children’s Theatre. 

After many productions, many students, recitals and concerts all of us in the Genesee Valley have been enriched by Alan’s music making.  We who have been lucky enough to have worked with Alan will continue to honor him through our performances.