The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON—This year’s annual Liberty Theater spring variety show is “the best-of-the-best by the cream-of-the-crop,” according to co-directors and choreographers Julia Mead and Patti Jo Amerein. “Show Stoppers!” a musical revue highlighting favorite numbers from the past 17 fall productions, hits the Liberty stage March 29-31.

Theater veterans Mike Ferrians, Elizabeth Jagelski, Brenda Henderson, Amerein and Mead “picked each others’ brains” to come up with a list of favorite numbers. But they are keeping mum on exactly which numbers are included in the show.

“Let people be surprised. It’s very fast-paced with lots of singing and dancing,” Amerein said.

“The lineup is very, very fun,” Mead said. “It will bring back memories.”

The directors held auditions and handed out parts to the cast of 32. The cast is primarily adults but performers range in age from Kayla Kuykendall, age 7, to Jack McCaw, who just turned 92.

“And, of course, we have Jack McCaw, Chuck Reeves and Roz Edwards who have been in every single Liberty Theater production,” Mead said.

Amerein said the show retains the original music, but the choreography is new.

Mead said the nice thing about this production is that they already have the costumes. However, costume designer Mary Luce has been hard at work resizing them all to fit new performers.

Mead and Amerein are both long-time veterans of the Liberty stage. Mead’s first role was as the beggar in "Fiddler on the Roof." She has held a role in each production since and has directed variety shows in the past.

“I just love it! Especially if I have the chance to make someone laugh. And singing is good for your soul. And we can help people learn to sing and dance and be comfortable on stage,” Mead said.

“This show will give us a chance to reminisce. It’s given some of us that have been in those productions a chance to think about the folks that are no longer with us. There has been a lot of family that has been here and then wandered away or passed on or outgrown the theater,” Mead said.

Performers are fortunate to work under Amerein, who spent 15 years as a professional dancer in the production shows of Las Vegas. She began choreographing in Dayton with the Liberty production of Annie and has remained involved since.

“If anyone can draw talent out of a person dancing-wise, it’s Patti Jo. If you think you can’t dance, she will convince you that you can and you will do a beautiful job,” Mead said.

Both directors sing the praises of vocal coaches Mike Ferrians and Elizabeth Jagelski. and are quick to credit the other choreographers, the accompanist, and the backstage help.

“We welcome new talent. We are always looking for shows that will encourage people to join the theater, so we want them to be fun,” Amerein said.

This year’s fall production, directed by Elizabeth Jagelski, will be "Mary Poppins." An information night will take place at the Liberty Theater on May 23 at 6:30 p.m. Anyone with interest in the theater, in any capacity, is encouraged to attend.

Showtimes for the “Show Stoppers!” musical revue are 7 p.m. on Fri., March 29 and Sat., March 30 and 3 p.m. on Sun. March 31. Tickets are available online at http://www.libertytheater.org or at the box office. Call 509-382-1380 for more information.