The names are up in lights, the red carpet has been laid out and the opening night is here. It's Broadway in Ketchum. Like a musical comedy come to life starring Rosemary Clooney and Danny Kaye, this little Idaho burg will shine for three nights as valley residents belt out show tunes at the nexStage Theatre.
(In a titillating coincidence, real Broadway star Bernadette Peters will perform on Sunday night for the Sun Valley Symphony Gala Benefit.)
Laughing Stock Theatre Company presents the fourth annual "Main Street Cabaret" today, July 28, through Sunday, July 30. Directed by Patsy Wygle and Keith Moore, who are professional actors in New York City, with musical direction by Patty Parsons, valley residents and a few imported talents will entertain in a cabaret-style setting. Sun Valley pianist Joe Fos will accompany the performers on a baby grand loaned by Alan Pennay. He will be joined by bassist Ken Suchy from Boise.
Among the musicals that songs have been culled from are "Wicked," "Most Happy Fella," South Pacific," "Music Man," "Kiss Me Kate," Chorus Line," "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris," "My Fair Lady" "Fiddler on the Roof," "Full Monty" and "Spamalot."
The cast of singers, who will sing solos and choruses, includes Parsons, Moore and Wygle, Jim Britt, Trinita Brunoehler, sisters Susie and Cheryl Gabumpa, Rika Pere, Megan Mahoney, Becky Larsen, Ben Shepps, Dean Cerutti, Steve and Colette Pruitt, Sue Noel, Michael Freilich, Chris Key and Joe Zeman.
"We have a good male chorus this year," Patsy Wygle said. "We roped Chris in, who is usually at Burning Man at this time of year. He's part of the chorus for 'Ain't nothing Like a Dame.' This year is the purple cabaret; we've done red, blue and green."
Patty Parsons returned from her home in Alaska to oversee the musical aspects of the annual show. Wygle, who with her husband, Keith Moore, and son, has moved to the valley for a year, breathed a sigh of relief.
"We three came up with it," she said. "I don't know if I could do it without her. It will be a smashingly fun evening. Keith and I are doing an hysterical song from 'Spamalot' called 'The Song That Goes Like This' that spoofs all the musical love songs ever written. And Patty and I are doing a duet from 'Wicked.'"
Welcome to the cabaret. After all, what good is sitting alone in your room?
"Main Street Cabaret"
· Laughing Stock Theatre Company presentation
· Where: nexStage Theatre, Ketchum.
· When: Doors 7 p.m. Show at 8 p.m.
· Tickets: $20 at the door.
The cast of ?Main Street Cabaret? have a jolly good time, on stage and off.
