COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The Stagehands Theatre presented its second annual Variety Show on Saturday, May 16, offering an evening of music, comedy and community talent at the Colusa County Fairgrounds.
The Stagehands Hee Haw Gang delivered two of the night’s standout moments with lip sync comedy numbers built around the classic Hee Haw standards “Gloom, Despair and Agony on Me” and the “Pffft You Were Gone” song. The group played up the humor with exaggerated expressions, tight timing and lighthearted back and forth that kept the room laughing. The Hee Haw Gang included Daniel Saint James, Mark Tomey, Devin Kelley, Tim Kelley, Greg Ponciano and Stephanie Ponciano, all Stagehands board members with their spouses.
Thomas Roach served as Master of Ceremonies and guided the program from start to finish. Roach created the original event last year and said the show continues to grow because of the people who step forward to perform and the community members who support them.
“This would not be possible without a community that shows up and talented individuals who are willing to get up on stage,” Roach said. “We have performers of all ages and backgrounds, and that is what makes this night special.”
The program featured vocal performances by Valentina Gonzalez, Bill Anderson, Tawni Davis, Marco Valdez and Kelli Joel. Musicians included ukulele sets by Anderson and the duo of Norah Gross and Henry Finnen, who are also talented singers, along with a trombone solo by Alyce Joel. Comedy acts included Jillian Gross and Susan Meeker. The show closed with a vocal number led by Valdez, Joel and the entire cast.
Roach said the Stagehands plan to continue building the Variety Show as an annual event that highlights local creativity and brings people together.
The show took place inside the Stagehands Theater at the Colusa County Fairgrounds.