'The Taffetas' cloaked in musical nostalgia

This News By You article was submitted by Angie Ellsworth, public relations manager for Starlight Theater.

When four sisters from Muncie, Indiana, set out to perform on a 1950s musical-variety television show, the result is an evening of toe-tapping nostalgia. The singing sisters tell the story of generations past and present.

The Taffetas, a musical review from a time when you could "see the USA in your Chevrolet" and hoped "Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream," will be presented in October by Starlight Community Theater. The AriZoni Award-nominated troupe, based in the North Valley, will christen its new performance space at the Outlets at Anthem with this popular musical review.

Mirrored on The Ed Sullivan Show, four sisters - Kaye, Peggy, Cheryl and Donna - make their television debut on Spotlight on Music, the show within the show. The Taffetas pays tribute to the sounds of the McGuire Sisters, the Fontane Sisters and the Chordettes.

"The Taffetas is a nostalgic look at the songs our parents and grandparents heard on the radio and TV," director Barbara L. Surloff says. "It is song after song that we knew the words to and could harmonize with. For Starlight Community Theater, this is such a great show to ring in our new theater venue and start off our fourth season."

Opening off-Broadway almost two years before Forever Plaid, The Taffetas helped to make nostalgia what it is today. The 90-minute show paints a picture of hope, love, sincerity and youthful optimism.

The show will be presented in Anthem at 7:30 p.m. Friday, next Saturday, and Oct. 10 and 11 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 5 and 12.

Starlight Community Theater, under a partnership with the Outlets at Anthem, will present The Taffetas in Suite 315 of the shopping center. Next Friday's performance will be a champagne benefit for Starlight's season. The honorary host, State Rep. Sam Crump, will kick off the evening at 6:30 p.m. with drinks and appetizers. Desserts will be served at intermission. Tickets for this limited-seating event are $35.

The show stars Amy Bennett, Lindsay Harrel, Jennifer Weston and Sally Wright.

Aiding the production are Christine Powell, vocal director; Jenny Weston, choreography; Paula Weston, costumes; Paul Luckenbill, technical director; and Pat Drapac, production manager.

Starlight Community Theater provides a variety of theatrical experiences for youths and adults. More information is available at www.StarlightCommunityTheater.org.