Sun City Summerlin theater group readies nostalgic performance
Get ready for some laughs and plenty of toe-tapping. The Sun City Community Theatre Club plans to perform "Walking Down Memory Lane," a variety revue, at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Starbright Theatre, 2215 Thomas W. Ryan Blvd.
The club was on hiatus for about two years after former director Lynn Burdick had a stroke and moved away. Club president Vincent Pizzitola said it meant a lot to the members to be back on stage.
"They're all excited," he said. "People drifted away. Now we're all pulled back together."
The group has about 40 members and combines talents from various Sun City Summerlin groups. The cast includes members from the Musicmakers, the Silvertones, the Tappers and the Dance Connection. The group's musical director is Martha Olson, who also is the pianist for the Silvertones.
At a rehearsal Aug. 16, dialogue director Susan Moskos was standing at the stage lip, directing, keeping people on cue and reminding them whether they should be exiting stage right or left.
As others rehearsed, she stopped one scene and got the attention of cast members mingling back stage. They were near the break in the curtains.
"We can see you, the audience can see you," Moskos said as she shooed them back.
The good-natured comment was just one light-hearted moment. The overall atmosphere was one of people having a good time. Not all the quips were in the script.
During a break, Moskos said, "This is the best show we're doing all season."
Selma Soriano answered back, "We're only doing one show."
Elaine Ruda sings with the Silvertones and has been in theater about 10 years.
"This is too much work not to have fun," she said of putting on a show again. "You forget all your aches and pains when you're up there on stage."
The enthusiasm went beyond being able to perform again.
"We have sets that are going to knock people's socks off," vice president Joel Rosenfeld said.
The club may plan only three shows at the Starbright Theatre, but there could be a repeat performance. The group is in talks with the Salvation Army about doing performances for it.
Tickets for "Walking Down Memory Lane" are $8 per person and can be purchased at the door or in advance by contacting Ruda at 838-3849, Rosenfeld at 257-1810 or Antionette Pizzitola at 489-9756. Tickets also are available at the Desert Vista, Mountain Shadows and Pinnacle community center monitor stations within Sun City Summerlin.
For more information, call the Starbright Theatre box office at 240-1301.
Contact Summerlin/Summerlin South View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 387-2949.
'Walking Down Memory Lane'
The Sun City Community Theatre Club plans to present the variety revue "Walking Down Memory Lane" at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Starbright Theatre, 2215 W. Thomas Ryan Blvd.
Tickets are $8 at the door or can be purchased in advance by calling Elaine Ruda at 838-3849, Joel Rosenfeld at 257-1810 or Antionette Pizzitola at 489-9756. Tickets also are available at the Desert Vista, Mountain Shadows and Pinnacle community center monitor stations within Sun City Summerlin.
