When attending one of the Funtastics’ three sold out shows at the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre last weekend, it was always smart to sit in the audience next to the creative director, Bob Hunt, for the inside scoop. This jolly group that comes together every year to put on singing, dancing, comedy shows is popular with audiences. The performers are mostly amateur, though some have years of theatrical experience.
George Grafton is music director and he enlivened the stage with his lead vocals on At the Hop, the theme for the variety show that featured music from the 1950s and ‘60s.
Maurice Farn is the founder of this group and has been producer for the past six years. Producers don’t usually get much of the limelight, but this one, dressed in his tux, also sings and introduces the acts.
Remember Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In show that gave us such famous lines as “You bet your bippy”? Thanks to the many sponsors and a grant, the Laugh-In wall was reproduced on the stage complete with heads popping out of windows. And you must remember the famous nasal-voiced woman from the telephone company played by Lily Tomlin. Erika Bennett was spot on as Ernestine, the telephone operator, including the iconic snort that made Tomlin famous.
Sharon Russell made a great Tiny Tim. She was hilarious impersonating the ukulele-playing Tiptoe through the Tulips singer. She also played Edith Anne, the little girl who sits in the big chair and complains.
The music was nostalgic: from Lester Harris singing ballad medleys beautifully to the British invasion songs of early Beatles. Joy Germaine and Jan Gillis shone in their performance of Sisters and their rendition of My Guy where they were joined by Karen Rydde. Introduced as the “geriatric diva,” Joan Curry put on a powerful performance singing I’m a Woman and later in her comedy bit, At the Palais.
Though some of the women stole the show, the guys were not far behind. Ed White never looked better as Elvis or when he took the part of the cigar-smoking half of Burns and Allen along with Sharon Snyder. New to the Funtastics cast, Julian Alphilbert found young love with Heather Dore in a scene from Grease. Also new to this year’s show was the lively addition of Sandra Cordero and her dancers performing a jive.
It takes a huge cast and crew including front of house volunteers to put on these shows, but it’s worth it when the audience loves it.
