An evening filled with great music, dancers and a few surprises

By Caitlin Billings

Lee Street marketing director

Lee Street theatre gambles with Las Vegas in the upcoming musical revue inspired by the sounds of the Vegas strip.

“Viva Las Vegas” is this season’s annual musical revue and will feature jazzy tunes and sultry songs accompanied by flashy choreographed dancers. Lee Street theatre is bringing the Vegas strip to Salisbury in an extravagant performance that features popular music such as a Rat Pack medley, “September Morn,” “Stormy Weather,” a Debbie Reynolds melody and more.

The annual musical revue started as a passion project in 2008 among five friends. These ladies loved to sing and put together a setlist of songs from the 1940s to perform for the fun of it. The show was such a success its popularity kept it coming back.

The chorus of voices has since grown to include men and women of all ages and backgrounds who collaborate to choose the theme and songs each year. Many of these singers have been performing together for more than 25 years, while adopting new friends along the way.

The collaboration between Lee Street theatre and Catawba College continues, with dancers coming from the college and Kayla Guffey, a student in her third year, choreographing the production under the supervision of professor Meredith Fox. The theatre becomes a nightclub with bar stools, tables, and a cash bar. Sip on your wine as the singers whisk you away to live your Vegas desires and the dancers liven up the party.

“Viva Las Vegas” features the talents of a 10 member chorus, dancers and production team:

Singers: John Brincefield, Kent Bernhardt, Graham Carlton, Becky Lippard, Mary Ann McCubbin, Patsy Parnell, Lauren Stephenson, Wendy Weant, Carol Harris, with special guest Dan Mikkelson.

Dancers: Shannon Harris, Mason Livers, Sam Reeder, Kelly Sandoval and Matthew Windsor.

Creative Team: Cyndi Graham (dramaturg), Adrian Smith (music director), Craig Kolkebeck (director),

Kayla Guffey (choreographer), Meredith Fox (choreography supervisor), Chris Speer (lighting/sound designer) and Lisa Perone (stage manager).

Performances run Jan. 19-22 and 26-28 at 7:30 p.m., plus a Jan. 22 matinee performance at 2:30 p.m., and take place in the Lee Street Theatre, 329 N. Lee St. Tickets are $20+tax at www.leestreet.org or by phone at 704-310-5507.