Creating a New Sun City Anthem Amenity
"The Mark OToole Variety Show"
(Part Two of Three)
In Part One, we discussed the initial thoughts !
Now it was time to....make a plan !
Mark OToole was then contacted and asked if he would be like to be considered as the show's MC.
And so...
Mark and I (we both had worked together for two years with the Vegas Voice's "An Afternoon Affair" shows at Sunset Station in 2014 and 2015, as well as, the 2015 World War II spectacular "Spirit of '45" show in the former Henderson Pavilion in front of 1,200 people), drew up our plan and subsequently met with the three Board members previously mentioned along with Sandy Seddon, Activities Assistant Allison Gray, and Doug Bradford, the SCA Communications Director.
They amazingly said ...
...and then the serious planning began to take shape.
And so...
I became the highest "unpaid" producer in the Las Vegas valley...
...a dream I have had for years to bring local and Strip entertainment to Sun City Anthem as an amenity to enhance the value of properties and lifestyles to our residents at a cost low enough that all seniors could afford and enjoy, while possibly enhancing an eventual restaurant with patronage for lunch prior to and/or dinner following the show with no cost or profit to SCA.
And so...
I quickly realized there was a lot to this commitment; that it was far from Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland's saying "Hey kids, let's do a show"!
And so...
Months passed, and the help and cooperation from so many people suddenly appeared to assist us.
There was Richard Pope who was ALWAYS THERE to lend a helping hand in just about every way possible.
To do what he has done for this production in addition to his many other duties as a member of the Sun City Anthem Board, made him in my mind, "Superman". His workload averages 60-80 hours each week!
Allison Gray, the Sun City Anthem Assistant Activities Director, had taken on the "paperwork" responsibilities, and believe me, there are MANY !
As a matter of fact, I have asked her to now refer to me as her affectionate "pain in the _ _ _".
Then there was the need for something called a "piano shell" where a synthesizer is placed in order to create the illusion of a Baby Grand Piano!
"What do I do now?"
I thought !
Who do you call when you need something constructed?
Who else but SCA's Mr. Fix-It, Forrest Fetherolf, with his reputation of years always helping those in need of something repaired or built.
Forrrest, along with two other Woodchips members, Allen Weintraub and Paul Simpkins, came to the rescue that AT THEIR PERSONAL EXPENSE AND TIME, not only built one, but donated it to Sun City Anthem for any club or entertainment venue to use as they wish.
We took a few photos of what these guys accomplished !
Following all of this, it was now time to design the show and its format.
And so...
Mark OToole and I, with the help of Sandy Seddon and Allison Gray, proceeded to somehow find what we needed to create a set for the show, searching all over SCA in order to find furniture and other items in order to hold the cost of the production to an absolute minimum expense...and....with the incredible help of the Sun City Anthem Maintenance Dept. who would be setting up the stage, that too was accomplished.
With that, we had to then find the right individuals to assist us in the actual show itself, and in that search, needed to find the best musicians possible, as well as, experienced persons who would control the lighting and sound.
No artificial music tracks...just real music from professional musicians.
And so...Mark OToole did just that!
Mark recruited Vita Corimbi-Drew as his Musical Director. (Vita is the longest running member of "Menopause the Musical" at Harrahs, and she in turn, along with Mark, hired John Plows (drums), Aaron Fuller (guitar), and Frank Fabio (bass).
Vita Corimbi-Drew
Musical Director
Can't forget two other integral parts of the puzzle, Jim Presley (sound) and Ryan Patridge (lighting).
Ryan Patridge on Lights
And...we got a volunteer Stage Manager in resident, Paula Roth, a lady whose resume included working with the late Garry Marshall as a script writer for "Happy Days", "Laverne & Shirley", and "The Love Boat", before becoming the head writer for TV's "Perfect Strangers".
And so...
It was time to have a rehearsal that we held at Freedom Hall on Sunday, February 27, 2022 from 9:30am to 5:00pm.
This was no "Dog & Pony Show" !
This was serious business watching Mark OToole and his staff of "pros" spend hours in preparation...
...while under the watchful eye of Allison Gray, SCA Assistant Activities Director, whom I caught doing a mean "boogie" while working at her laptop at the back of the auditorium.
And so...
It was finally showtime on March 2nd and we all held our breath praying the residents would enjoy the fruits of our labor !
And so...
They apparently did !
In our final Part 3, well talk about the actual show itself !
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And what a fantastic job done in getting this program. It was the best Wednesday afternoon I can recall if a very long time and for $8 never have I had better entertainment. Thank you so much for all the work it took and the first show was knock your socks off great!