Madrigals return to St. Joseph-Ogden

A Christmas tradition is coming back.

The St. Joseph-Ogden Music Department is hosting a Madrigal Dinner on Dec. 7. 2024 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church at 2200 Philo Road in Urbana.

The holiday event is returning making a return after a multiple year absence.

Madrigals Audrey Ruppel, Emily Bird, Syndey Steinbach and Madison Farber said they are excited for the public to see the one of a kind show.

The event will include a festive dinner and entertainment by the SJO Madrigal Ensemble.

The dinner is catered by the St. Joseph IGA and will include gluten free or vegetarian options.

Tickets are $20. To purchase tickets visit www.sjofineartsboosters.org.

The show is called “Ladies in Waiting” and features a king that wants to marry off his daughter to a rich, eligible man. The king invites three suitors to a dinner and has decided he will pick one. The princess and her friends dress as men to vet the suitors instead.

Ruppel said the production is unlike anything SJO has done before.

“Its a dinner where you go and watch and the characters will interact with you a bit.” Rupel said.

Faber said the fact that the actors interact with the audience make it truly unique.

“It has a mix of the script, the acting and singing and improve with the audience,” Faber said.

Steinbach said the idea for the show came from Nathan Waterson, SJO’s music director.

“Mr. Waterson had set his mind on doing madrigals,” Stynbach said. “It was welcomed with open arms.”

Waterson’s experience with Madrigals in high school inspired him to bring it back to SJO.

“I did Madrigals while I was in school, I went to Paxton-Buckley-Loda and it was always one of my favorite things,” Waterson said.

A large part of Madrigals is the costuming. Some of the costumes are from SJO’s own costume closet, others were purchased and some were made.

The costumes help the actors form their characters, Bird said.

“It does help get into character,” Bird said.

Sunday is the last day to purchase tickets for the event.

Students involved in Madrigals include: