PEAK show a smash hit in Alberton
Gage Horn performs “Popcorn Shrimp” with an original performance by Jim Henson’s Swedish Chef during the recent PEAK Variety Show.
Bob and Judy Bungarz performed several melodies during the PEAK Variety Show last month in Alberton.
“It’s a Hard Knock Life” from the play “Annie” was performed by Eleanor Nichols, Sujatha Bay, Cedar Barnibbe, Rainier Acker, Raeleen Czerp, and Emma Lommen during the Varity Show on Feb. 25 in Alberton. (Photos by Brooke Barnett).
Preschooler McKayla Horn held a sign to introduce the next act as the set was put into place behind the big red curtin during the Variety Show on Feb. 25. (Photo by Brooke Barnett).
The entire cast and audience members joined Brooke Barnett, Kristina Solinger, Jessie Vaillancourt, and Ashley Schatz on stage during the finale, “We are Family” during the February Variety Show in Alberton. (Photo courtesy of PEAK Foundation).
It was an entertaining evening of frogs, skits, singing, and dancing as the PEAK Foundation presented their Variety Show 2017. Young and old Alberton residents took to the stage and delighted a full-house on Saturday, February 25. The production marked the fifth live theater production the Foundation has put on and featured 14 acts. It had grown from last year’s variety show which only featured four acts.
“We rehearsed every Wednesday in February and so we had a solid commitment from everyone,” said event committee member, Laura Acker. “The parents were invested and so were the kids.”
It was the first time they used sound equipment which was bought with a grant. Performers Bob and Judy Bungarz, donated the use of their equipment, as well. The duo also entertained the crowd with several melodies with Judy playing the bass and Bob on banjo.
Laura said Matt Siebert was the genius behind the curtain who pulled together the sound and lights, “he’s just amazing.”
Many of the performances were popular songs and skits people would probably recognized. However nine-year-old Brydon Drey wrote the skit, “Knights…Not in Shining Armor”, which he performed with Maddie Drey and Rainier Acker. Laura also commended Kristina Solinger who had performed the lead in a previous PEAK play, “Briar Rose”.
“She brings such a confidence to her friends and it gets them onto the stage,” she said. Solinger performed “Gold Star for Me” with Eryn Odell, “Wildside” with Zoey Zimmerman, and “We are Family” with Jessie Vaillancourt and Ashley Schatz.
The PEAK Foundation’s mission is to “promote excellence in Alberton area kids through cooperative community programs,” and doing plays and skits are one way to fulfill that mission.
“Theater allows us to become someone else, and it allows you to feel empathy for the characters. Which is something we don’t always get to feel. It also builds confidence and self-esteem in the kids and adults,” said Laura. “With this, they are all on the same playing field and some of the adults see the kids doing it and say ‘I can do it too”.
She also commented that this type of event helps to build healthy relationships in the community, as well as creates mutual respect for both the kids and adults. Something that was probably best exemplified when the entire cast, as well as audience members, jumped onto the stage and joined in for a rousing rendition of “We are Family,” written by Sister Sledge.
The seven member PEAK committee will next hold an adults only Moonlight Masquerade Ball April 22.