Playhouse Cabaret rocks SCT

(Photos by Randy M. Cauthron) Connie Goeken, Barb Ambrosius and Jill Barr provide a little harmony during Wednesday night's rehearsal for "One Summer Night: More Songs From the Jukebox." [Order this photo]

A pair of 7:30 p.m. performances, Friday and Saturday, May 1-2, at Spencer Community Theatre will feature the latest in its series of annual Cabaret fundraisers, "One Summer Night: More Songs From the Jukebox."

This year's Cabaret continues in the tradition of showcasing songs from the early years of rock and roll. Featured are some of the almost-forgotten songs, along with other more familiar classics, and interesting background stories on the artists who recorded them and the songs themselves.

Once again, directors Clark Marshall and Connie Goeken have assembled a talented group of musicians and singers for this evening of rock and roll. Female vocalists Barb Ambrosius, Jill Barr, Laura Carlentini, Shaley Cullen and Deb Mechler, along with Goeken, will lend their considerable singing talents to showcasing great girl-group harmonies. Marshall, Bob Pettit and Dick Hakes supply the outstanding male vocals on these great songs from the 50s and early 60s.

Rock and roll is nothing without a great band, and this year's players certainly fill the bill. Local musicians Phil Christy, Karl Brandt, Darrell Stave, Joe Johnson and Clark Marshall make up the core group, and their skill, coupled with strong vocals, promises to provide an evening of thoroughly enjoyable music.

Intertwined with the music is an entertaining mix of stories and music lore provided by Marshall.

Phil Christy keeps his sticks moving, providing percussion for the live band providing music at the SCT fundraiser. [Order this photo]

"Talking with anyone who's seen one of the previous rock and roll Cabarets, they'll tell you the music is great, but the stories add that little something extra that you don't usually get from a concert setting," said Goeken. "Clark is sort of a rock and roll Paul Harvey -- he gives the buildup about the song or the artist, and just when everyone is wracking their brain to figure out who he's talking about, he reveals 'the rest of the story.' It's fun to hear the audience respond in that 'aha!' moment."

Goeken added, "As performers, we look forward to opening night for just that reason -- he keeps the stories a secret from us, too, so we get to hear them for the first time right along with the audience."

A reception featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages follows the performance and is included in the ticket price. Playhouse Cabaret is SCT's major fundraiser of the year and the financial support it provides is vitally important to sustain theater programming for all ages.

Reservations may be made in advance or tickets will be sold at the door, if available. Call SCT at 262-7336 to make reservations.