Most of the Armstrong Community Theater’s cast of this weekend’s variety show practices their ending dance to “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” last night.
by Jonathan Weaver
Hits and funny skits from the past 50 years of country music will be performed by local singers and actors this weekend in Worthington.
During Armstrong Community Theater’s annual variety show –this year called the ‘Korny Kountry Variety Show’ – audiences will see nearly two dozen thespians perform portions of Country Artist Ray Stevens’ ‘The Streak’ and 1970 television variety show ‘Hee Haw’
Seven-year-old Leah Zimmerman is the youngest actress in this year’s variety show. She enjoys joking around with the cast
“It’s really fun, really adventurous to be in this,” Zimmerman said. “I really love singing.”
A second grader at West Hills Primary, Zimmerman was also in last year’s variety show –which revolved around classic Disney movies.
Nikkilynn Walbert, 21 of Ford City, has been part of the local theaters’ casts the past six years after finding a post online.
“I just came and six years later I’m still here,” Walbert said.
Walbert plays a teacher with six students in one skit while also dancing in several line dances.
Dan Lorigan performs as “Hee Haw” character Charlie Farquharson in this skit of the variety show.
Theater Fundraising Chair Cathlynn Bowser, of Kittanning, performs in the variety show annually, this year singing “Have Mercy” by ‘The Judds’ since that is her go-to karaoke song.
“This is one of our biggest fundraisers,” Bowser said. “Anybody that comes out will get a wonderful show with musical performances they can sing along to and laugh `til they cry.”
Along with ticket sales, money will also be collected from the intermission snack kitchen –which will all include country-themed snacks.
Co-Director Paul Wright said the variety show and upcoming craft show and ducky derbies will help finance future shows, including ones later this year like the April dinner theater, a June children’s musical and July musical.
Proceeds collected the past few years have helped purchase new speakers and funds from this year will also help the theater purchase new microphones.
Wright directs – and performs on stage – with the other three co-directors as well: Emily Younkins, Karissa Lloyd and Laura Lloyd.
Younkins recalled that her first show was the variety show nine years ago – also a country-themed performance called “Yee Haw” performed at Lenape Technical School in Manor Township.
“My daughter (Hannah) had gotten involved in the children’s show a couple years prior. My experience was making costumes for her and stuff like that, and she decided she wanted to do the variety show. I thought, ‘If I’m going to drive her to practices, I might as well audition and have some fun too,’” Younkins recalled. “And I’ve been a permanent fixture ever since.”
Younkins will sing “This Ones for the Girls” by Martina McBride this weekend and said it is still fun directing and performing at the same time.
She said there were even more ideas brainstormed for the show that were not selected for the stage.
Tickets for the show - held at the Worthington Civic Center gymnasium Friday, Saturday and Sunday – are still available at $15 each at the Worthington Community Library and Quality Inn Royle in West Kittanning. Tickets will also be available at the door.
The Worthington Civic Center seats about 150 patrons.