VARIETY PACK.
The cast of the Huntsville on Stage variety show includes a wide range of people, including medical staff, volunteers and community members. All will band together for a night of comedy, music and charity on Nov. 3.
Mandi Hargrave
HUNTSVILLE – With more than 15 musical acts and a couple of comedy routines, this year’s third annual Huntsville On Stage variety show promises to be a rib-tickling evening of fun.
“The audience can expect to be hugely entertained,” said Sherisse Stevens, one of the founding members of SNS Productions, which produces the show.
“It’s a very exciting show, lots of dancing, singing and comedy. There’s something for everyone,” she said.
Stevens, Suzanne Baxter and Neil Barlow started the show three years ago and donate the proceeds to the Huntsville Hospital Auxiliary.
“We believe in what they’re doing and the ladies are extremely helpful in supporting us,” said Stevens.
The funds raised from the show on Nov. 3 will go toward the vital signs monitors at the Huntsville Hospital. The monitors are used in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and emergency department to help nurses keep a closer eye on patients who may show signs of an oncoming heart attack.
“They are an integral part of care and diagnosis for the doctors,” said Joanne Matthews, president of the Huntsville Hospital Auxiliary.
“This has more diagnostic abilities so there are more warnings if things look a little off. The nurses are thrilled to have modern equipment, which makes a big difference (in care),” she added.
Replacing the vital signs monitors at the Huntsville Hospital and the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital was a $1.2 million dollar project, the auxiliary committed to raise $100,000 towards the cost.
With a donation from the performance Matthews said the auxiliary should reach its fundraising goal by the end of the year.
“We just made the commitment last fall so we’re really happy because we didn’t expect to be able to raise the full $100,000 in a year,” she said.
SNS Productions is hoping to not only sell-out the show on Nov. 3, but have enough demand to sell-out a second evening as well.
Performers range from professionals to hobbyists, with a wide range in musical and dance talents from R&B to Broadway, including a horn band.
Paul Seist, acting as his character Dorkin Barnes, a farmer from Utterson, will perform one of the comedy routines.
“Some of us definitely aren’t dancers so it’s really hilarious and everybody is so enthusiastic and really pumped for the show,” said Stevens. “All of these people donate their time, they’re all volunteers, and they put a lot of effort into this. It’s great the public comes out and supports us.”
She said the audience should walk away with an enjoyable and entertaining evening while feeling like they’ve done something good for the community.
Huntsville On Stage will perform on Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Algonquin Theatre. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the theatre box office in person or by phoning 705-789-4975 or online at www.algonquintheatre.ca.