Little Theatre seeks community vote for Variety Show beneficiary

With the Little Theatre’s annual Variety Show scheduled in March, area residents can help choose this year’s beneficiary either online or by mail.

The online ballot is available at www.TheLittleTheatreOnline.org. Mail-in votes may be sent to P.O. Box 53, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663. All votes must be postmarked by Saturday, March 7. The selected beneficiary will receive the show’s profits.

The production was originally created to support the theater’s Relay for Life project. When that effort ended, members invited the community to suggest and select beneficiaries. Past recipients have included Community Hospice, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Tuscarawas Clinic for the Working Uninsured, Friends of the Homeless Shelter, the Good Neighbor Project and the Tuscarawas County Dog Pound.

Variety Show Director Kait Gallagher Willsterman said the event welcomes a wide range of performers.

“Our typical performers are singers, but we welcome anything upbeat and engaging,” Willsterman said. “Last year we had a band, Fresh off the Press, from Dover. They were a fan favorite, and I’ve been told they plan to join us again this year. We’ve had magicians, cloggers, dancers and comedy skits. Attendees always get to hear from the chosen organization.”

She said the theater’s Original Productions group has been integral to the show’s success by providing original comedy sketches. Last year’s recipient was the Tuscarawas Arts Partnership. The event typically raises between $1,000 and $3,000 each year.

The show is hosted by Merriweather and Garryweather, portrayed by Kettie Kneuss and Jeff Williams.

“In fact, Kettie’s husband proposed to her at the end of one of the shows,” Willsterman said. “I have really enjoyed including the community in selecting the beneficiaries each year. It gives us broader choices and new ways to help.”

Auditions for the Community Variety Show will be held Sunday, March 8, at 6:30 p.m., with registration beginning at 6 p.m. Those auditioning should prepare a three- to five-minute performance. Anyone needing accompaniment must provide it via a digital device. Performers are encouraged to present upbeat, family-friendly acts.

One rehearsal is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, March 27. The show will be performed at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 28.

General admission tickets are $10 and will be available at the door. The theater will open at 6 p.m., with auditorium doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The performance will include a short intermission.

In addition to entertainment, the evening will feature 50/50 and lottery tree raffles. Raffle tickets will be available for $1 each or 10 for $5. A wine pull will also be held at $10 per cork, with each cork guaranteeing a mystery bottle of wine. Credit cards will not be accepted; cash or checks only.

“Sponsors, wine bottle donations and lottery ticket donations are all welcome and needed,” Willsterman said. “The more donations we receive, the more we can donate to our beneficiaries.”

Willsterman, who has directed the show since 2015, will be joined this year by co-director Michael Antonelli. Other team members include Kneuss, Mary Maxwell, Joe Compton, Matt Spies, Machelle Miller and Tennille Williams.

Those wishing to donate raffle items or who are unable to attend auditions but would like to participate may contact Willsterman at KaitlinMarie35@gmail.com.

Little Theatre is located at 466 Carrie Ave. NW in New Philadelphia.