Meredith Williams
Arts and Entertainment Editor
As the curtains rise on Sewanee’s upcoming musical, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, all eyes will be on Natalie Turnage (C’ 27)—not just for her significant role as Sonya, but for the unique twist she’s bringing to the production: her accordion. While most college students might pick up more conventional instruments like the guitar or piano, Turnage’s love for the accordion has set her apart making her both a standout performer and a star of the show.
Turnage picked up her Angelo Concertina accordion this past June. After selling her the accordion, the man running the store told her, “Play songs that are close to your heart—you’ll learn those the quickest.” So, the first songs Turnage learned were “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “Lavender’s Blue.”
Dolly Parton, the American singer-songwriter and actress known for her career in country music, is the namesake of Turnage’s accordion. Turnage explains, “I named her Dolly because Dolly Parton is my favorite singer, and I look up to her. The way she built her career inspires me as a musician and woman and teaches me to persevere even if life throws obstacles at you.”
An interest that quickly turned into a passion will soon be incorporated into Turnage’s performance as Sonya. Now, in a few weeks, she’ll be taking center stage, weaving the accordion into the fabric of the musical, adding a memorable and personal touch to her character. Turnage explains, “I’m so happy I have this opportunity. I’ll be opening the musical with my accordion, and in the second act, I’ll be playing in three numbers, as well as being Sonya.”
“The hardest part will definitely be multitasking. In some of the musical numbers, I have to play the accordion, sing, and act simultaneously, and some of the music I’ll be playing is tricky.” Turnage tells us. “But I’m still excited. This opportunity will help me grow my accordion skills and better prepare myself to tackle harder music in the future.”
Turnage’s role in the production proves that sometimes taking the road less traveled—in her case, through accordion keys and bellows—can lead to something magical. With her performance just around the corner, excitement is rising on campus. So, make sure to go witness her musical genius first-hand in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 at the Tennessee Williams Center from October 24 to November 3.