Review: AMERICA SALUTES OUR VETERANS at Wadsworth

For the second year in a row the Pink Lady Jackie Goldberg presented an attention-grabbing Senior Talent Competition. This year's show was very different, as it had two contests on two separate days, one on Saturday November 5 and the other on Sunday November 6 at the Wadsworth Theatre in West LA, and included an endearing salute to our veterans. I attended Saturday's performance.

The Pink Lady guarantees a splendid afternoon of entertainment, always, and America Salutes Our Veterans was indeed just that. The show opened with representatives from all branches of our armed forces coming to the stage for the Salute to the Flag and "The Star Spangled Banner". Pink entered with two escorts and introduced her favorite President. Actor Michael Moore in a wheelchair impersonating FDR was wheeled out by Miss USO 1941 April Moon to the delight of the audience. The sound and look of the impersonation was spot.on. FDR gave a very brief speech to lend spirit to the proceedings, ending with his famous "We have nothing to fear but fear itself". Nice touch during these trying times! On with the show! Terrific comedian Steve Mittleman was the Master of Ceremonies. He told a few jokes and brought on the 11 member ensemble who danced and sang a rousing "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B", after which Mittleman introduced each of the 10 contestants, all 60 years young and up. First up, the lovely Miss Jan Daley, 71, who gave us a fine rendition of "At Last". Following her was Randall Kirby and his fun original tune "There Ain't No Way" full of later life optimism that suits Pink to the core with her "Get up, get out and get a life" philosophy.

Other stunning performances came from Norma Morein who sang a lilting "With One Look" from Sunset Boulevard, lively contemporary dancers Linda Sims and Paul Thornhill, Alexina McCallum with "I Got the World on a String", knockout Nancy Osborn with "Georgia", Jack Knight and "God Bless the Child", Susan Edwards Martin with her less familiar but dynamic number about making it big, bearded David Curtis and "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha and last but not least glam girl Karen Needle, who socked "Cabaret" out of the park.

Picked by a team of renowned LA judges first place went to Nancy Osborn - my choice - , second place to Susan Edwards Martin, and in third place Karen Needle. So, it was a victory for the ladies! Is this, by any chance, a positive signal for Tuesday's Election results?

The end of the contest did not conclude the afternoon's festivities. There was a Lifetime Achievement Award presentation to baseball icon Tommy Lasorda, who was on hand to give his thanks and amaze us with his youthful spirit. There followed a wonderful medley of patriotic songs from the ensemble*, which included "You're a Grand Old Flag", "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "Proud to Be an American", an appearance by last year's contest winner Sandy Mack who sang a gorgeous "Summertime"... and a great grand finale with Pink herself on "It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish" from Seesaw.

*Ensemble singers and dancers included: Deborah Bartlett, Wade Collings, Randy Doney, Sara Jane Gould, Gwen Hillier, Chera Holland, Mary Lou Metzger, Steve Owensly, Bubba Dean Rambo, Glenn Shiroma, and Bobbi Stamm.

Thanks as well to director/choreographer Rob Barron...and to the Sapphire Trio who performed "Johnny Comes Marching Home" and "Strike Up the Band" during the contest part of the program on piano, violin and cello. They included Barbara Smith, Lonnie Timney and Dusty Waggoner... and to everyone else backstage and front who contributed their valuable time to this grande endeavor. And to Pink, a rousing thank you for all you do for our veterans and for all seniors, continuing to entertain us in such phenomenal style!

Go to:

www.pinkladyhollywood.com

to purchase her new book Get Up, Get Out and Get a Life and two brand new calendars for 2017 featuring Male And Female models over 60.

To post a comment, you must register and login.