The Ladybirds held their dress rehearsal tonight at Allegany College Theater. Everyone arrived in a timely manner, and several volunteers from the Western Maryland Food Bank were present to assist in setting up the stage. Everyone worked hard, and in short order the platforms were in place and the tables and chairs were arranged in the format we had selected very early on. The archway was put on stage right, along with the Victrola and Nipper, His Master’s Voice — that is very attractive on the stage. Stage left there was a bar in the Music Box Cafe and also a tree which will be lighted. There will be lights on the arch, too.

The Stage Is Set

Liz was busily helping some of the ladies with their makeup. She was well prepared with everything necessary to make the ladies look beautiful. Jackie Gillis distributed the new sparkly collars. They are truly gorgeous, and the chorus is grateful to Irma Robertson for making them. Mary Schaver also did some of the needlework on the collars. When you see the pictures you’ll notice how nice they look on everybody.

The stagehands were on the job for the rehearsal tonight, and the chorus had an opportunity to perform onstage with lights and sound activated. Jim, Frank, Andee and others commented on how nice the stage looked and how nicely the chorus sang.

Andee Thompson, of WCBC Radio, is the emcee for the show, and she introduced A Night at the Music Box and then read the script which Jim West has written to introduce each song the chorus will sing. The first half of the show is mostly chorus songs, while the second half is devoted to the guest quartets, including Havin’ Fun, Afternoon Delight, Totally Vocal, Sentimental Sound, and the featured quartet from the Baltimore area, Pizzazz. The chorus is very appreciative of Andee Thompson; she is a great emcee, who has a wonderful personality and lots of stage presence.

The Ladybirds Chorus at Dress Rehearsal

After the rehearsal tonight, various hands quickly struck the set so that the theater will be available for other events between now and Saturday.

Some of the chorus left to go home after the dress rehearsal; others went to Bob Evans to relax and have some much needed food. The group has prepared well, and everyone has taken care of various tasks. Soon the show will be presented and all the hard work of setting up the stage, selling tickets and advertisements, rehearsals, choreography, publicity, designing of flyers, posters, programs and tickets, etc., will be behind us and the months of preparation on the part of the chorus and their skillful helpers ensure a quality evening of entertainment for the everybody!