Celebration stirs up patriotic feelings
America.
Though it may only be one word, it can conjure up a thousand different pictures of life, liberty and love.
This coming fall, the Celebrate America Show will attempt to take a few of those pictures and ideas and perform them in the classic style.
April Anthony, who has participated in the show for the last four years, believes Americans really do have great cause to celebrate.
“America is a wonderful place to live,” she said. “We don’t realize how great this country is. Celebrate America celebrates the eras, the music, the landmarks, the soldiers, and the hard-working people of this country. It reminds us that we are really lucky and we really do have something to celebrate.”
Gene Thomson, one of the committee members, also recognized the importance of doing a show that can help us honor “local law enforcement, firefighters, EMS personnel as well as the armed services.
“The Celebrate America Show does give us all a time to reflect upon the great blessings of being here in America and the past and present patriots that give sometimes all, to preserve our liberties,” Thomson said.
With performances beginning on Sept. 7 and running until the newest national holiday, “Patriot Day” on Sept. 11, the support for these performances is greater than ever before.
“Last year our public performances were full and this year we expect an even higher demand for tickets,” said Brenda Anthony, one of the event organizers. “Each year, the popularity of the Celebrate America Show continues to grow and that’s a ‘nice problem.'”
As a community-sponsored event, the Celebrate America Show brings in the talents and resources of hundreds of volunteers, many of whom are students at USU.
“There are so many people involved,” Anthony said. “From the tech crew, to the wardrobe, to the committee, the directors, the choreographers, the vocal coaches, to the orchestra, the cast, and all the volunteers who help with ticket sales, marketing and advertising.”
Even though the show itself is an annual production in which the format – dinner, show and dance – stays the same, the theme and the cast change every year.
“This year the show is built around the career of comedian and patriot Bob Hope – from his days in Vaudeville to Broadway to Hollywood and his USO Shows,” Brenda said.
Dinner begins at 7 p.m. each night and is followed by what Brenda describes as an “hour full of high energy, dancing, singing, acting and high talent.”
Included in the show will be numbers such as “Forty Second Street,” “Road to Morocco,” “I’ve Got A Gal in Kalamazoo,” and the big ballroom dance finale – “Thanks For the Memories.”
“This era of big-band music and the nostalgia it brings is a draw for us who are ‘over 50,'” Thomson said. “But it also gives the present generation a connection to the past and strengthens their foundation of gratitude for those who paved the way before.”
During the show, the audience will be able to hear one of the great changes taking place this year: The Crestmark Orchestra. This big-band era ensemble will also play music after the show for a little dancing.
“The orchestra makes a huge difference,” April said. “I think the audience likes to hear a live band.”
The patriotism-filled show also works as a tribute to veterans who come to the show. Many also participate during a number in the show, dressed in full uniform.
“Patriotism is a big part of the show,” Brenda said. “Our goal is to present an elegant evening that builds patriotism and provides spectacular entertainment.”
April also said “there’s nothing like that feeling you get when we honor the war veterans on stage and they stand up in the audience. I get tears in my eyes every time.”
While auditions for the show ended last Saturday, anyone still interested in performing can contact Brenda Anthony at 753-1551 as soon as possible. The committee in charge of the event is still looking for singers and dancers.
“Unless students have attended one of these shows, they don’t know what they are missing,” Anthony said. “It’s a not-to-be-missed experience that only comes once a year. If students want to REALLY impress a date – The Celebrate America Show will definitely do that.”
-mattgo@cc.usu.edu