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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2018)
12A | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2018 | SIUSLAW NEWS Catch a falling htar at Florence’h fabulouh ‘Follieh’ “Holly Jolly Follies: Starlight” Review by Burney Garelick D eck the halls with boughs of hol- ly — disapproval would be folly. While there’s a lot of jolly and rambunctious folly, no one, not even the Grinch or Scrooge, can disapprove of the 2018 “Holly Jolly Follies” on stage this weekend at the Florence Events Center. Titled “Starlight” and presented by Children’s Repertory of Oregon Work- shops (CROW), this year’s “Holly Jolly Follies” community variety show casts a warm glow of poignancy as the ex- ceptional cast, about 100 strong, most of them youth, tells a story of dreams fulfilled when you open your heart. “Starlight” was written by prolific playwright and actor Rose Ellen Jacob- son, who is the wife of Mike Jacobson, accomplished vocalist, actor and come- dian. They are the parents of CROW Artistic Director Melanie Heard, the show’s outstanding director. These pro- fessionals comprise Florence’s first fam- ily of theater, and we are grateful that they have bestowed their gifts where the river meets the sea. but two sets of tappers; Upon listening to and comedy, both gentle “There is a Star that and raucous. The latter Shines Tonight,” a song category is represented by Sheryl Crow, Ellen by the Tutu Dads, a half got to wondering what dozen pairs of beefy arms would happen if a star and hairy legs, beards fell out of the sky. That’s and bellies, all adorned when she was inspired to in pink and white tutus, write “Starlight,” the sto- cracking frilly ribbons ry of a tiny elf wishing on that sound like whips, the stars only to have a and pirouetting like Sug- star fall at her feet. Try as ar Plum Fairies. Hats off she might, she can’t put it to these hilarious good back. Will she succeed? sports! No spoiler alerts here, ex- “Starlight” includes cept to say that the very (Right) Zhade Beers stars as the littlest elf, who seeks to help appearances by local ce- song that inspired Ellen return a star to the heavens with the help of Tamara Szalewski lebrities. Mayor Joe Hen- opens the show. (left) as the Keeper of Stars and the whole cast of the 2018 ry reads a story to pa- When Ellen wrote the “Holly Jolly Follies: Starlight,” playing this weekend at the FEC. jama-clad kids. Siuslaw script, she had the per- News Editor Ned Hick- From time to time, the Keeper of the son reprises his role as Elfis. He doesn’t fect actor in mind — Zhade Beers, a pint-size, adorable, bright 7-year-old Stars’ Star Polish Crew wheels out their sing as The King, but he does sing as who never misses a cue. Stagecraft cart of mops and brooms to keep the himself in a duet with his wife Alicia, runs in families. Zhade’s mother is Ma- stars shining. When they closed Class who also plays Prissy the elf, and he il- ree Beers, who also participates in the Act Theatre earlier this year, Rosemary lustrates a fake commercial for dunder- show. Maree, an always sizzling singer, and David Lauria said they’d return to drug Poxziva. Wayne Sharpe of KCST swings a medley of the New Year’s an- the stage. Here they are in three funny Radio joins Zhade elf to sing “When them and some bluesy Christmas cheer. sketches, polishing the stars once more. You Wish Upon A Star.” The Holly Jolly Follies is a Florence Zhade, the tiny elf, is assisted by big- There are too many wonderful stars ger well-meaning but silly elves and tradition, the showcase of a plethora in this show to mention everyone by guided intermittently by the Keeper of of talent. “Starlight” includes singing name in this limited space. Know that Stars (Tamara Szalewski), an elegant ensembles, duets and solos; contem- you are all to be applauded with hand- fairy godmother in a silvery gown and porary interpretive dancing, ballet, fuls of stardust. There are, however, a hip hop, Greek folk dance and not one few highlights among highlights that a sparkling cape. need to be singled out: Stunning vocal- ist and harpist Sylvia Hartman; multi- lingual Mike Jacobson reprising his role as Latin lover Amarillo Snowden sing- ing in Spanish with spouse Dolly Din- kle (Genevieve Meltzer) and as himself singing a lovely aria-like duet in Italian with Denise Dee; Tamara Cole singing a delightful song wishing for a hippo (Trudie Cahoon); inimitable and svelte vocalist Fanny Rugburn (Jason Wood); and superb young pianist Ramiro Ramirez swinging the eighty-eight with “Linus and Lucy.” Out of town guests include the Rev- elers Aerial Performers from Eugene, three young women swinging from the ceiling on hoops and ribbon-like ropes — a dazzling display of dexterity, style and grace. There’s lively music by the Buck and A Quarter Band, wonderful costumes and very special effects. Now that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, open your heart to “Starlight” and your holiday wishes will come true. “Holly Jolly Follies: Starlight” opened Friday and plays through Sunday, Dec. 2, at the Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St. For informa- tion, call 541-997-1994, go to www. eventcenter.org or visit www.crowkids. com. Deep Snow in Florence at concert J udging by the number of snowballs thrown at the Ken Lavigne concert, presented by SEA- coast Entertainment Association on Nov. 24 at the Florence Events Center, the snow must have been at least a foot deep. Prior to the concert proper, Ken Lavigne per- formed two carols at Old Town Park as part of the tree lighting festivities in Historic Old Town. Lavigne is a well-traveled singer, having per- formed at Carnegie Hall and recently for En- gland’s Prince Charles. He brought a sextet of musicians, some dou- bling as backing vocalists. Sound was excellent thanks to Diana Robson. Florence’s own Mar- garet McDiarmid handled lighting, casting a cheery ambience on the set. The format of the “Christmas Roadshow” was an old-time radio program and the stage a “cha- let” complete with “cheery fire.” Tunes covered the gamut of Christmas songs from the traditional “O Holy Night” to the pop “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Lavigne had costume and persona changes to Florence Food Share provides food to those who are hungry in our community. If you have four hours a week available, we are in need of vol- unteers to staff our Front Desk and also act as Guides as clients walk through the pantry. Please call our volunteer coordinator, Sarah Lovejoy, @ 541-997-9110 (Monday – Friday, before noon) to learn more about volunteering. info@lorence- foodshare.org 2190 Spruce Street. Ken Lavigne’s “Christmas Roadshow” Presented by SEAcoast Review by Ian Ealeh match the songs, ranging from Bing Crosby to Elvis and perhaps even Don Ho for “Mele Kalik- imaka,” complete with Hawaiian shirt. Lavigne is a thoroughly entertaining singer and the backing vocalists complemented him, always in perfect harmony. The musicians nev- er overplayed, keeping the balance just right for the music. Enthusiastic applause followed every tune. All in all, another quality production of SEA- coast Entertainment Association. Get involved Florence Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a place to put your talents to work. From customer service to furniture repair, we offer volunteer opportunities geared toward individual interests and skills.By giving your time, you help Florence Habitat ReStore do more to support building projects that benefi t families in our community. 2016 Hwy 101 or email volunteer@fl orencehabitat.org Store hours 9am – 5pm Monday- Saturday 541-997-5834 www.facebook.com/restorefl orence A no-host bar will also be available. While enjoying the wonderful crab and side dishes, attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase one or many of the special silent auction items. All the proceeds from this event will benefit Florence Food Share, a local food pan- try that provides resources to those facing hunger in West Lane County. Tickets will be available after The Oregon Coast Military Museum is honored to an- nounce that the Oregon Me- morial Traveling Wall project is coming to the museum in con- junction with Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7. “We’re very excited to com- bine a display representing the Vietnam War, with a holiday commemorating our nation’s launch into World War II,” said Military Museum Chief of Staff Geoff Cannon. “It emphasizes our goal to represent all eras of military heritage and all disci- plines of military service.” Sponsored in Florence by Three Rivers Casino Resort, the Wall is a project of the Umpqua Valley Chapter 805 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. It contains six pan- els that are engraved with the names of fallen Oregonian he- roes. Shaped in the likeness of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., the cen- ter panels in black contain the names of those lost in Viet- nam and on the USS Pueblo. There are panels off both sides in sandstone color with the names of those lost in Panama, the bombing of Beirut, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and En- during Freedom. This is a living Memorial that will annually be updated with the names of Oregon’s fallen in any future conflict. The Wall will be available for viewing during normal hours, noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, Sat- urday and Sunday, Dec. 7, 8 and 9, at Oregon Coast Military Museum, 2145 Kingwood St. in Florence. Admission on all three days will be free of charge to all who attend. For more information, visit www.oregoncoastmilitary museum.com. Join the Peace Harbor Hospital Volunteers. <RXZLOOÀQGDQDUHDRILQWHUHVW in a caring organization. Peace Harbor Volunteers Meals on Wheels are available to people over the age of 60 who cannot get out much due to illness or advanced age and who are not eating properly, regardless of income. Cafe 60 is available for those who prefer to make new friends in a dining room setting. these local non-proft organizations in 400 9th Street, Florence, OR 97439 541-997-8412 ext. 2218 our community! 1570 Kingwood • PO Box 2313, Florence 541-997-5673 laneseniormeals.org Operating Monday, Wednesday and Friday Volunteer Get involved Donate S IUSLAW N EWS Do your part and to help support Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Flor- ence Food Share, located at 2190 Spruce St., open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Group seating or more infor- mation is also available on the website, florencefoodshare.org, or by calling 541-997-9110. Tickets to this event are $45, with only 400 tickets available. The deadline for ticket pur- chases is Friday, Jan. 25, and will not be available at the door. Military museum receives visit from Oregon Memorial Traveling Wall Donate volunteer today For more information on future SEAcoast productions, visit www.seacoastea.org. Tickets available today for Crab Crack annual fundraiser to benefit Food Share Enjoy great food and com- pany while aiding the less for- tunate in this area during the eighth annual Florence Crab Crack The event will be held at the Florence Events Center (FEC) on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, from 4 to 7 p.m. Oregon coast Dungeness crab, along with pasta, coleslaw, garlic bread, sodas, coffee and dessert will be served by volun- teers. Volunteer Saving men one PSA test at a time. 541-997-6626 maribob@oregonfast.net Someone to talk to... who understands! Do your part and volunteer today to help support these local non-proft organizations in our community! To include your organization in this directory, please call us @ 541-997-3441 Vihit uh online: www.TheSiuhlawNewh.com
