A Star-Spangled Cabaret Honors Our Vets

By Leigh Macmillen Hayes

CABARET CAST — Performers in the upcoming Salute Our Vets! A Star-Spangled Cabaret include (front, left to right) Arianna Aaskov, Alexis Guzman and Samantha Scarf; (back row) Nichole Beane, Pamela Collins-Stahle and Melissa Mattucci. (Photo by Jyselle Jopling Watkins)

With Veterans Day just around the corner, Lake Region Community Theatre will present a brand new cabaret full of swinging patriotic songs and dance to pay tribute to our soldiers.

Salute Our Vets! A Star-Spangled Cabaret will open at 7:30 p.m. this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4-5 at the American Legion Post #155 on Route 11 in Naples.

The show will feature a medley of patriotic tunes, some familiar and some brand new. Organized by Janet Ver Planck, Jyselle Watkins and Lew Krainin, the show is directed by Laurie Shepard and Patrice Foley-Olsen. George Weise is the musical director. Anne Miller serves as the master of ceremonies for this animated event.

The stage will be full of talented people from the community. Singers include Emily Davis, Teresa Dyer, Tom Ferent, Casey Hutchinson, Tim Richardson, Ginnie Spaulding, Andrew Shepard and Abigail Worthing singing songs such as Go the Distance, They Say It’s Wonderful, American Soldier and Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning. Audience participation will be encouraged for the full cast rendition of God Bless America.

Alexis Guzman will perform a solo dance. Acrojazz to America will feature Kendyl Ridlon, Paige Harndon and Samantha Gosselin. These three will be joined by Liza Collins-Schrader in a hip-hop to Warrior. Pamela Collins-Stahle, Nichole Beane, Alexis Guzman, Samantha Scarf, Melissa Mattucci and Arianna Aaskov will perform steppin/hip-hop to Soldier and jazz to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.

Refreshments will be available during the show.

Tickets for Salute Our Vets! A Star-Spangled Cabaret may be purchased at the door. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for veterans, senior citizens and children 12 and under. There will also be a 50-50 raffle and raffle baskets.

Celebrate the contributions veterans have made. Proceeds will benefit LRCT and American Legion Post #155.