Varsity Show

This article is about the Columbia University stage show. For the 1937 film, see Varsity Show (film)

The Varsity Show logo.

The Varsity Show, founded in 1894, is one of the oldest traditions at Columbia University, and certainly its oldest performing arts tradition. Its long list of alumni include such distinguished names as Oscar Hammerstein II '16, Lorenz Hart '18, Richard Rodgers '23, and I.A.L. Diamond '41. Each year, the Varsity Show attracts some of Columbia and Barnard College's finest actors and creative talents.

Founded as fundraiser for Columbia athletics, the Varsity Show now draws together the entire Columbia undergraduate community for a series of sold-out performances every April. Dedicated to produce a unique full-length show that skews and satirizes many dubious aspects of life at Columbia, the Varsity Show is often written and inspired by a long list of contributors, including the cast, production and creative teams.

The I.A.L. Diamond Award for Achievement in the Arts

The I.A.L. Diamond Award is presented on annual basis to a Columbia or Barnard alumnus/a who has demonstrated continued commitment to and has found success in the arts. Mr. Diamond is the only individual to have written four consecutive Varsity Shows. He then went on to Hollywood to write such classics as Some Like it Hot and The Apartment, for which he won an Academy Award.

In 2004, Terrence McNally was the first recipient of the award. Mr. McNally, author of Master Class, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, and Ragtime, wrote the 66th Annual Varsity Show.

In 2005, Jeanine Tesori, Barnard College Class of 1983, was honored with the award. Ms. Tesori was the music director for the 89th Annual Varsity Show and then came back a year in 1984 to write the music for the 90th Annual Varsity Show. She is a three-time Tony Award nominee for her work on Twelfth Night, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Caroline, or Change.

In 2006, Art Garfunkel, Columbia College Class of 1962, received the award. Mr. Garfunkel is best known as half of the folk duo Simon and Garfunkel.

112 Years of the Varsity Show

1894: Joan of Arc1896: The Buccaneer1897: Cleopatra1899: Varsity Show1900: The Governor's Vrow1901: Princess Proud1902: Vanity Fair1903: The Mischief Maker1904: The Isle of Illusia1905: The Khan of Kathan 1906: The Conspirators1907: The Ides of March1908: Mr. King1909: In Newport1910: The King of Hilaria1911: Made in India1912: The Mysterious Miss Apache1913: The Brigands1914: The Merry Lunatic1915: On Your Way1916: The Peace Pirates1917: Home James1918: Ten for Five1919: Take a Chance1920: Fly with Me1921: You'll Never Know1922: Steppe Around1923: Half Moon Inn1924: Old King's1925: Half Moon Inn1926: His Majesty, the Queen1927: Betty Behave1928: Zuleika, or the Sultan Insulted1929: Oh, Hector1930: Heigho Pharoah1931: Great Shakes1932: How Revolting!1933: Home James1934: Laugh it Off!1935: Flair-Flair: The Idol of Peace1936: Off Your Marx1937: Some of the People1938: You've Got Something There1939: Fair Enough1940: Life Begins in '401941: Hit the Road1942: Saints Alive1944: On the Double1945: Second the Motion1946: Step Right Up1947: Dead to Rights1948: Streets of New York1949: Mr. Oscar1950: Wait for It1951: Babe in the Woods1952: Streets of New York1953: Shape of Things1954: Sky's the Limit1955: When in Rome1961: Streets of New York1962: Guys and Dolls1963: Elsinore1964: Il Troubleshootore1965: Varsity Show1966: The Bawd's Opera1967: Feathertop1978: The Great Columbia Riot of '781980: Fly With Me1982: College on Broadway1982: Columbia Graffiti1983: Fear of Scaffolding1984: The New U1985: Lost in Place1989: Sans Souci, Be Happy1990: Behind the Lion Curtain1991: The Silence of the Lions1993: Lion Game1994: Angels at Columbia: Centennial Approaches1995: Step Inside1996: Devil in a Light Blue Dress1997: Enlargement and Enhancement: The Scaffolding Years1998: Love is Indefinite1999: Beyond Oedipus: Leaving the Womb2000: Mo' Money, Mo' Problems2001: Sex, Lions and Videotape2002: 108th Annual Varsity Show2003: Dial 'D' for Deadline2004: Off-Broadway2005: The Sound of Muses2006: Misery Loves Columbia

External links

*The Varsity Show - Official Page
*Columbia University

Further reading

*Lipkin, Suzanne. "Homer Hosts the Varsity Show" Columbia Spectator. (April 21, 2005)
*Putnam, Ashley. I'm Sorry Mr. Jackson, This Show Was for Real Columbia Spectator. (April 22, 2004)
*Russo, Jax. "110th Annual Varsity Show" Columbia Spectator. (April 15, 2004)
*Greenwell, Megan. "Frosted Phallus: Varsity Show Serves Up Provactive Pastry" Columbia Spectator. (November 14, 2003)
*Greenwell, Megan. "Frosted Phallus: Varsity Show Serves Up Provactive Pastry" Columbia Spectator. (November 14, 2003)
*Cusick, Colleen. "Varsity Show: An Evolving Tradition" Columbia Spectator. (April 24, 2003)
*Russo, Jax. "109th Varsity Show, Dial "D" for Deadline, Opens Friday" Columbia Spectator. (April 10, 2003)
*Fitzner, Ana. "Varsity Show Reach Exceeds Its Grasp" Columbia Spectator. (May 03, 2002)
*Russo, Jax. "Varsity Show 2002 Ready to Rock" Columbia Spectator. (April 25, 2002)

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