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Musical variety show featuring seniors has something for everyone 28 + WATERLOO CHRONICLE « Wednesday, May 23, 2007 ‘Silver Stars Shine‘ Kâ€"W Silver Stars, from left, Sue Armstrong, Jeannie Kralicki and Dawn Ralston rehearse a number from their upcoming musical variety show, St. Jacobs Country Playhouse this weekend. By Jennirer Ormsron Journey and Dream are only a few "But these senior citizens keep said. "It‘s challenging e Kâ€"W Silver Stars will take l theatreâ€"goers on a journey through four musical genres this weekend with a variety show that‘s sure to delight an older And with a cast of 50 â€" all of whom are over 50 â€" this show has something for everyone, whether you enjoy dancing, singing or actâ€" ing. Silver Stars Shine is divided into four sequences: classical, Broadâ€" way, oldies and country. Within each is singing and dancing typical of the style. "It‘s great songs from some of the great eras of music that people get to see live for a really really good price," said Peter Mansell, who helped put the show together, wrote some of its comedy scenes and designed the sets. Embraceable You, Sentimental Chronicle Staff To take the audience back in time, the set is a night club, with extras taking the role of the audiâ€" ence and sitting around tables on the stage to watch the stars perâ€" form. Journey and Dream are only a few wellâ€"known songs in the show. | The tables flip over as the scenes change, so instead of martiâ€" ni glasses during Broadway, jukeâ€" boxes will top them for the oldies. Of all the scenes in this musical variety show, it‘s some of the quiâ€" eter ballads that stand out for "There are two men who have great voices and they are doing sort of the old crooner type of songs," he said. "To have male soloists in a senâ€" ior citizens show is a really good asset for Silver Stars." Of all the scenes, Mansell‘s favourite is a lineâ€"dancing number that literally exhausts 22â€"yearâ€"old women. ARTS FOCUS "But these senior citizens keep up with it and it‘s just amazing what they do," he said. Sue Armstrong, 58, will be takâ€" ing the stage for that lineâ€"dancing number, as well as singing in two songs and tap dancing. She doesn‘t have much experiâ€" ence with countryâ€"andâ€"western dancing though, and found it chalâ€" lenging, but fun, to learn the steps. "We‘ve had many, many, many hours of rehearsal," Armstrong It‘s singing she enjoys the most, and she even has a short solo. _ great eras of music that people get to see live..." "It‘s great songs from some of the Silver Stars Shine volunteer said. "It‘s challenging, but it keeps you thinking young." â€" â€" The show was devised and directed by Heather Morris, who also directed the group‘s last proâ€" duction, The Attic Show, which kicked off the troupe‘s 10th anniversary year in 2007. The soldâ€"out show, which told the story of an aging couple downâ€" sizing into a smaller home, had a cast of about 15. Since then, many people have joined the rejuvenated amateur group, leading to a much bigger and more enthusiastic show this time around. It is always looking for more seniors though, even if they can‘t sing, dance or act. _ "We need people behind the scenes for props and painting and all that kind of stuff," Armstrong "Anyone who wants to be a member, we‘ll welcome with open Silver Stars Shine, which will play two shows at the For more information about membership, contact Rosemary Mahler at 519â€"746â€"3451. With Silver Stars Shing, the group is taking the stage at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse for the second time. And the audience can expect to see a huge diversity of talent, said Armstrong. _ â€" â€" "Between the singing, guitars, accordion and all the dancing, it‘s just going to be a really uplifting show showing what people over 50 can do. "It‘s quite amazing actually." The crowd can also take part in the production, singing along to some of their favourite old tunes. The variety show will be perâ€" formed on May 25 at 7:30 p.m. and May 26 at 2:30 p.m. at the playâ€" house theatre, at 50 Benjamin Rd. E., in Waterloo. Tickets, which cost $15 each, are available by calling 519â€"747â€" itheaFER ORMSTON PHOTO