|
Spring Follies promise fun, frolic, lots of entertainment
See a Show!
By Margo Oxendine, Staff Writer
 | | The Mountain Valley Players cast of the "It Might As Well Be Spring Follies" will be rehearsing every night next week before the big show on Saturday, April 19 in the Bath County High School auditorium. The matinee begins at 3 p.m., and the evening performance follows at 7 p.m. Pictured from left are, front row: Graham Kershner, Emily Hall, Jamin Good, Caroline Witschey, Parke Kershner, Sarah Wright, and Sage Tanguay. Second row, from left, are Laura Schneider, Selena Lacks, Sara Hall, Lori Witschey, Debbie Young, Gentry Kershner and Rachel Camacho. In the third row, from left, are Betty Cauley, Jane Bogan, Margo Oxendine, Jane Wright, John Young, Claudia McAllister and David Huff. Not pictured are Juanita Sharp, Emily Black, Tyler Ryder, Andrew Vinson, Kendall Woodzell and Michael Sharp, who produces and directs the show. (Photo courtesy Janie Camacho) |
|
WARM SPRINGS - For 40 folks from across Bath County, and even one little boy from Highland, the past few months have been intense. They've learned to sing. They've learned dance steps. They've learned about stage presence. They've learned the importance of smiling. Above all, the Mountain Valley Players have learned that, no matter what, "the show must go on."
 | | Margo Oxendine, Staff Writer |
|
Putting together the "It Might As Well Be Spring Follies" show has been fraught with bad weather, quirky temperaments, even a certain "homelessness." Thanks to the Bath County Department of Parks and Recreation, the Mountain Valley Players found a sponsor under whose aegis they could be allowed to rehearse at Valley Elementary and the high school. For awhile in the early weeks of February, the players scrambled to findrehearsal space. No one was sure from one week to the next who might agree to open doors to 40 singers and dancers. The Hot Springs firehouse kindly offered space that first week, and Ashwood Methodist Church welcomed the group on week two. Once Parks and Rec took the group under its wing, successive Sundays found everyone in the gym at Valley and, finally, on a bona fidestage at the high school.
The Mountain Valley Players, who range in age from eight to about 84, have now overcome every obstacle. They've stuck to it and, by golly, the show will go on next Saturday in the Bath County High School auditorium. It promises a memorable experience for the players and audience as well.
 | | During auditions in January, there was no question about whether these young people would be in the "It Might As Well Be Spring Follies." Director Michael Sharp, center, played piano while Parke Kershner, Graham Kershner and Rachel Camacho sang. The Kershners, of Hot Springs, and Camacho, of Warm Springs, have years of experience in Missoula Children's Theater. (Recorder photo by Margo Oxendine) |
|
It never could have happened without Michael Sharp. The professional actor, director, dancer, singer and choreographer - there's virtually nothing theater-related that Sharp can't do, and do well - put the show together, staged it, coached the cast in song and dance, even cadged some great props from Greenbrier Valley Theater. He's held shaky hands, soothed shaky psyches, laid down the laws of theater, and offered high praise when it was due. Sharp will perform two numbers - "Easy Street" from the Broadway musical "Annie," and "Beauty School Dropout" from "Grease." But for most of the show, he'll be directing, coaching, and making sure everything goes well.
It never could have happened without Elaine Brown. Even though you won't see Brown "treading the boards," it will be she who's responsible for the fact that the show is well-lit; that the sound is as good as it gets; that the props are where they need to be, when they need to be there. Brown, who holds a theater degree from American University, puts all those years of training to work, and is one of the most valuable of the MVPs. Consider her akin to the chef who creates your four-star meal, unseen back there in the kitchen, the seldom-celebrated hero of a memorable evening.
The show certainly never could have happened without Terry Kershner, MVP president, and the administrator who aptly tends to details such as tickets and refreshments and cast t-shirts and a host of other necessary details. You won't see Kershner on the stage, either, but she'll be there, bustling about and making certain things go smoothly.
Kudos also go to Janie Camacho, the computer whiz who whipped up flyers and posters and ads with what seemed like great ease, and always stood by with camera in hand. And to the parents of younger cast members, who drove them to rehearsal, and either sat there quietly watching the magic unfold, or came back two or more hours later to pick up their children. It's almost a sure bet that these parents are sick of hearing "Hey! Look Me Over!" sung endlessly around the house and in the car. It's also certain their hearts will swell with pride when they hear it again next Saturday.
That rousing tune, from a Broadway show called "Wildcat," starring a young Lucille Ball, will open the Spring Follies. It features the entire cast - about 35 people - who have not only learned the song, but the gestures and dance routine that accompanies it.
Music from many Broadway favorites will be featured. Little Emily Black will sing "Tomorrow," also from "Annie," and the cast will join her for the refrain. This reporter will be channeling Ethel Merman during "Everything's Coming Up Roses," from "Gypsy." The young cast members will perform two numbers from "Charlie Brown." A group of teen girls will warble their devotion to "Freddy My Love," and young Rachel Camacho will solo with "Hopelessly Devoted to You," both from "Grease." The older ladies in the cast - maybe not so old, but well past their teens - will spoof "I Enjoy Being a Girl." Featuring Betty Cauley, Debbie Young, Selena Lacks, Lori Witschey, Jane Wright, myself and Claudia McAllister, this one could be a show-stopper.
A frenzied re-enactment of "The Ed Sullivan Show" is guaranteed to garner guffaws from the audience. It defiesdescription; the delights of this act alone, though, are well worth the price of admission.
The show includes a tribute to the Grand Ole Opry. There will be the obligatory comedy skit - even if you've seen it before, you'll surely laugh again. The nimble-footed Graham Kershner will perform a solo dance number. Expect a stirring, patriotic solo from John Young. And there will be a special appearance by Bitsy Davis of Clifton Forge, who's built a career with her spot-on impersonation of the immortal Patsy Cline. Davis will perform three nostalgic favorites.
Three tunes from the beloved "Sound of Music" will close the show. Backed up by the entire cast, soloists include Jane Wright on "My Favorite Things," David Huff in "Edelweiss," and Betty Cauley with "Climb Every Mountain."
As Gypsy's Mama Rose sings, "Curtain up! Light the lights!" The Mountain Valley Players present the Spring Follies next Saturday, April 19 at a 3 p.m. matinee, and again at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be available, and tickets are sold at the door.
|
)
)