80 years of musical variety in Columbus
“Hi, neighbor!”
When 83 smiling performers offer that traditional greeting to start Vaud-Villities’ annual spring revue, they will renew bonds of community that have sustained the troupe for eight decades — and, they hope, for decades more.
Vaud-Villities Productions, billed as America’s longest-running musical-variety show, will present its 80th Birthday Celebration Friday through Sunday at Valley Dale Ballroom.
“We’ve stood the test of time because we have deep roots in the community. … This show highlights where we’ve been and where we’re going,” show director Heather Balas said.
Where the all-volunteer troupe largely has been since 2011 is the Northland Performing Arts Center (NPAC), its home after decades at now-gone Veterans Memorial.
Where Vaud-Villities is going remains uncertain after Franklin County bought NPAC. Vaud-Villities moved out in February, with two semitrailers transferring costumes, props and belongings to temporary storage while leaders search for new quarters.
Curtain Players:Celebrating 60th anniversary, Curtain Players unveil 2022-23 season to open in fall
“With so much we’ve gone through and so much history, we’re excited for where we’re headed,” said board chair Maggie Ellison, a dancer and choreographer in the show.
Vaud-Villities should find a new home soon for rehearsals and storage, Ellison, 33, said, while likely renting venues for spring and holiday shows.
Vaud-Villities prepping for the spring show
Extensive rehearsals — eight weeks, including six to seven hours on Sundays, plus some weeknights for the 80th anniversary production — forge its volunteer singers and dancers into a well-knit ensemble, said Ellison of the North Side.
“People don’t perform for one show and go away. They stay for a long time, bringing their friends and family. … Vaud-Villities is a place where families become performers and your friends become family,” said Ellison, herself active for 16 years.
Vaud-Villities’ 110 members, along with broader community support, will be crucial as the company navigates its future, she said.
Balas, active eight years overall, returned three years ago as the troupe’s movement director.
“I missed the camaraderie … of dedicated, passionate people who love to perform. As a customer-service representative for a small company, I don’t have an exciting day job, so Vaud-Villities gives me a bit of glamour and purpose besides taking care of my kids,” Balas, 37, said.
Balas, who dances and sings in the show, is one of 10 choreographers staging high-energy numbers, most highlighting the troupe’s history and spirit.
A number that Balas choreographs and dances in is “Show People,” from Kander and Ebb’s musical “Curtains.”
“It’s a cute number sharing why we do what we do and highlighting people in different walks of life who long to be in shows,” said Balas of Powell.
Vaud-Villities members become family
She’s especially impressed by the age range of performers.
“We have people in their 80s right up there next to people in their 20s, with the same passion and energy,” Balas said.
One veteran is Ann Root of Upper Arlington, celebrating 51 years in Vaud-Villities.
“I just enjoy the friendships you develop. … I figured I’d do it for maybe 20, 25 years, but I kept pushing myself and having a good time,” Root said.
Broadway in Columbus: 2022-23 season will include 5 shows new to Columbus
Over decades, Root has sang, tap-danced, fixed costumes and managed the costume room and rentals. Today, at 81, she sings in the chorus.
“It sure takes lots of rehearsals, but the audience reaction always gives you a high. You can’t help smiling and doing your best to make people happy,” she said.
John Poole, meanwhile, has performed with Vaud-Villities for 30 years.
“It’s where I met my husband,” said Poole of the Northwest Side.
Poole and husband Bob McWilliams, a board member who’s performed there for 34 years, will sing in four numbers: “Show People,” “(You’ve Gotta Have) Heart” (from “Damn Yankees”),”It’s Your Wedding Day” (from “The Wedding Singer”) and the finale, “You Can’t Stop the Beat” (from “Hairspray.”)
Other family members active for decades: Poole’s late father Jim, who performed for 18 years, and Poole and McWilliams’ daughter Rachel McWilliams, now an Ann Arbor, Michigan, resident too busy planning her April wedding to participate.
“For us, it’s been a family affair,” said Poole, 61.
“For me, it’s an avocation, reflecting my love of performing and collaborating,” he said.
Following the pandemic-sparked hiatus, many Vaud-Villities alumni have returned for the show.
“The people keep us going. Our saying: If you get stuck by Vaud-Villities’ glue, enjoy it, don’t fight it,” Ellison said.
What to expect at the show?
Like previous spring shows, this one blends favorites from past years with new material.
“Our artistic team strives to find that balance of old meets new, folding new stuff into the mix along with classics,” Ellison said.
The big new number in the two-hour two-act show encompasses a medley from the 2017 movie musical “The Greatest Showman.”
Otterbein Theatre:Otterbein Summer Theatre celebrates ‘regeneration’ with upcoming season
“Singers, dancers performing with canes and a soloist ringmaster will all be dressed with circus flair,” Ellison said.
Meanwhile, “A Hard-Knock Life,” from “Annie,” will showcase 8- to 17-year-olds.
“Many of these youth have grown up on our stage. They’re our future,” Ellison said.
Along with broader community support, Vaud-Villities’ 110 or so members will be crucial to the company as it finds a home and plans its future, she said.
Poole, for one, expects Vaud-Villities to thrive for decades to come.
“We’ve gone through abrupt changes over the years,” he said, “but we’ll build on our collaborative past with the strength and community connections that’s kept us going.”
@mgrossberg1
At a glance
Vaud-Villities Productions will present its “80th Birthday Celebration: Honoring Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Valley Dale Ballroom, 1590 Sunbury Road. Scott Gettinger will emcee the event Friday night, and retired former WCMH-TV anchor Cabot Rea will emcee Saturday and Sunday shows. Tickets cost $25, or $75 to $150 for the Saturday fundraising dinner. Visit website for COVID policies. (614-262-7469. www.vvshows.org/tickets)
Read More: 80 years of musical variety in Columbus