W.H. composer debuts Evangeline at Adelphi

Marylyn Varriale makes music her life’s work

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“Please, don’t kiss the butcher, please, don’t hold his hand,” are lyrics you may remember from the popular D’Agostino Supermarket commercials that played throughout the 1960s. Written by West Hempstead’s very own gifted composer Marylyn Varriale, this jingle went on to receive a Big Apple Award and became one of many musical accomplishments throughout her career.

Adding another to the list is Varriale’s most recent project, a musical adaptation of Peter Pantina’s book, “Evangeline, A Curious Journey,” which is based on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s epic 1874 poem, “Evangeline, A Tale of Acadia.” The musical will be performed at the Olmsted Theater at Adelphia University Performing Arts Center July 21-24.

Varriale received inspiration for the musical during a trip to the Bayou, when she visited St. Martin de Tours Church, in St. Martinsville, Louisiana. In one of the gardens stands a statue of the legendary Evangeline character from Longfellow’s poem. After reading the poem— a story of two lovers separated after being exiled from Acadia and making their way down to the Bayou—Varriale was inspired to write original music and lyrics to accompany Pantina’s book.

Both the book and the musical take place in the 20th century where a successful yet unhappy filmmaker leaves his home in New York City to return to his roots in the Bayou. “It is there where he gets in touch with the spirit of Evangeline,” said Varriale, “and that transforms his life.”

Cajun music and dance, a unique ending and a modern twist are what Varriale says transforms this story into a “magical and mystical work.”

Varriale realized her passion for expressing thoughts and feelings through music when she had the opportunity to write the score of an original play while studying education at Adelphi University during the 1950s. After graduating, she went on to work for advertising firm, McCann New York, where she put her composing toward commercials for ten years.

Varriale then became a composer-in-residence at LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts where she developed an anti-drug musical for teenagers. The musical was performed by LaGuardia students at the Virginia Theatre in New York City and then brought to Manhasset High School where she was hired as the chorale and drama director.

She has also created a unique musical approach to a phonics program called “Letterville,” which was published by the National Reading Styles Institute, as well as written a popular read along/sing along book “When Simple Was Hard to Do” for toddlers and young children.

After living in Connecticut for five years, Varriale and her husband moved back to Nassau County where he was Superintendent of the West Hempstead Union Free School District for 18 years, and she taught vocal music, orchestra and band in Hempstead public schools.

For the past ten years, Varriale has been a teaching artist through Long Island University’s educational outreach program at the Tilles Center.

When she is not working as a teaching artist or writing music in her spare time, Varriale also coaches aspiring performers and composers in her private studio in West Hempstead.

Opening night for “Evangeline, A Curious Journey” is scheduled for Friday, July 22, 2016 at 8:00p.m. at the Olmstead Theater at Adelphi University Performing Arts Center. Performances will also take place Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, July 24, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. To purchase tickets and for more information about the musical visit: http://evangelinejourney.vpweb.com.