Gotta, gotta, gotta!
Sing, sing, sing and dance, dance, dance!
It’s that time of year again when the parents, friends and supporters of the Whidbey Children’s Theater participants warm up their vocal chords and get out their dance shoes in order to get theater-goers loose with a pen and checkbook.
Producer and director Betty Lightner has gathered a talented cast for “Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! A Razzle Dazzle Revue”; regular folks who love to sing and dance for the entertainment of others and especially for the benefit of the small Langley theater.
“Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance!” will run two regular performances, and one combined Langley dinner extravaganza, auction and performance in order to raise funds for Whidbey Children’s Theater programming and scholarships.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, Saturday, Nov. 15 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16.
Guests are invited to make dinner and auction reservations for 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 with the 7:30 p.m. performance to follow.
One home on the dinner tour will feature Ovations owner and chef Maggie Korvin, who will share cooking tips with participants as she prepares the meal.
A second home will host a wine tasting with a variety of bottles provided by Second Street Wine Shop.
Another seven homes will share good food, great hospitality and a chance to meet some of the WCT students.
A “Raise the Paddle” session during the auction will raise funds specifically for scholarships.
Last year, the event raised $4,850 for scholarships, and the goal this year is to equal or surpass that total. The WCT theater school is committed to providing tuition to every student in need.
All three nights, theatergoers will be dazzled by a number of lively song-and-dance productions.
Audience members can be prepared to hear a selection from such classics as “Razzle Dazzle,” “I Got Rhythm,” “Who Can I Turn To,” “All of Me,” “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” “Kiss Me,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” “Sunny Side of the Street,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” “That’s Entertainment,” “Wiving Wealthily in Padua,” “Standing on the Corner,” “Steppin Out” and “She Loves You.”
A special choreographed number, “Flip Fantasia,” by Charlene Brown and Graham Vanderwood of Island Dance Studio is Saturday and Sunday and features dancers Carole Lloyd, Graham Vanderwood and Margot Bee.
The cast includes Jim Lightner, Joni Takanikos, Betsy Arand, Martha Murphy, Jim Scullin, Barton Cole, Sommer Harris, Max Cole-Takanikos, Glenn Woodbury, Debby Elwell, Rob Mellish, Ryan Saenz, Rachael Arand, Alyssa Woodbury, Evan Elwell, David Woodbury, Amy Arand, Frank O’Brochta and Betty Lightner.
Live musical accompaniment is by Jessica Foley on piano, Jordan Knight on drums and Jim Lightner, banjo.
Choreography is by Betty Lightner with help from Amy Arand. Master of ceremonies is Keith Mack, with lighting by Dan North and promotions and fundraising by Verna Lawsen.
Performances are on the Martha Murphy Mainstage at Whidbey Children’s Theater in Langley.
Regular performance tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors.
The Saturday, Nov. 15 dinner, auction and performance ticket prices range from $75 to $100.
For tickets, dinner reservations or info, call 221-2282.
This event is sponsored by Erling and Cynthia Bangston.
