BIG AL’S VAUDEVILLE SHOW COMING THIS SATURDAY
The "Big Al’s Historical, Almost Authentic, Electrified Vaudeville Show" will bring vaudeville back to the Simon Theatre stage this Saturday, August 27th.
The show debuts at The Barnhill Center at Historic Simon Theatre, on a stage originally built to host vaudeville acts. There will be two performances on Saturday at 2:00pm and at 7:00pm.
Donna Cummins, manager of The Barnhill Center at Historic Simon Theatre, says that “Vaudeville was the most popular form of entertainment when the Simon Theatre was built." Within about 10 years, movies took over the entertainment industry and vaudeville faded from the scene. Cummins says they are excited to celebrate the early vaudeville heritage of that historic stage.
“When the Simon opened in 1925, vaudeville had already been popular in Brenham for about 70 years,” said Sharon Brass, producer of the new show. “The art-form rose at the end of the Civil War and was performed in saloons until the Brenham Opera House was built in 1879. When that facility became outdated its owner, James Simon, built the Simon Theatre to carry on the vaudeville tradition and also provide technologies for the highly anticipated photo plays and silent movies starting to come out of Hollywood.
“Big Al’s Historical, Almost Authentic, Electrified Vaudeville Show" brings back the music and comedy of all those eras,” said Brass. “It’s a really big show with over 30 entertainers including musicians and vocalists, mixed with comedy, juggling, magic and a host of dancers.”
Headliners in the show are Rick Perkins as Big Al, the purveyor and MC of the show, and Tena Rae Helm as the star vocalist and “vaudeville queen.” “These two performers have been part of our vaudeville shows for BISD students over the past four years during Local History Day,” said Brass. “Big Al is an especially fun character who adds comedy throughout the show.”
Additional performers are Barry Brass, Mike Brinkmeyer, Jack Carr, Steve Haley, Bill Kendall, Melissa McCaghren, John Moorman, Rob Moorman, Darcy Moreland, Devin Norwood, Claire Reue, Melinda Schroeder and Geneva Winkelmann.
The Simon Theatre Band, directed by Andrew Amelang of Brenham Music Academy, includes professional musicians Cheryl Amelang, Hannah Amelang, Kurt Amelang, Jack Carr, Craig Garrett, Jill Stewart, and Ann Winston.
The Vaudeville Dance Troupe is made-up of College Station dancers led by Dr. Susan Quiring, of Susan’s Ballroom Dance, in collaboration with choreographer Tasha McKinley of Powersports. Dancers include Jennifer Baker, Anne Boyle, Ben Fisher, Wendy Kreider, John Lund, Alisa Pinones, Zach Pinones, Susan Quiring, Lance Swigert and David Villareal.
The show’s management team is made up of Jennifer Eckermann, executive producer; Sharon Brass, producer and co-director; Rick Perkins, MC and co-director; Kate Revnell-Smith, co-director; Andrew Amelang, music director, Cyndee Smith, stage manager; Janice Cass, costumer; and Melinda Faubion, light director.
The show is being produced by Main Street Brenham and Sharon Brass. Sponsors include The Barnhill Center at Historic Simon Theatre, Brazos Country Travel, Kwik Kopy Business Center, Unity Theatre, Brenham Music Academy, Solutions in Sound, James Pharaon Creative, RW Photography. Blast From the Past in Giddings, Susan’s Ballroom Dance and Powersports in College Station.
Crew members include Dixie Burgess, Darlene Denman, Mike Faubion, Jordan Gaskamp, Lu Hollander and Willie Powell.
Tickets are on sale at TheBarnhillCenter.com. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children of ten years or younger. Seating is limited and a sell-out crowd is expected for both performances.
For more information visit TheBarnhillCenter.com or call 979-836-6980.