Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
AS THE stars of Saturday night's "Oh What Fun!" show at the Historic Ironwood Theatre, the Claudettes show their predictable style. They are, from left (first row, crouching): Joyce Gayan and Andrea Harrison; and second row: Cindy Franck, Angie Lauzon, Karen Mallum and Becky Bogaczyk.
By P.J. GLISSON
Ironwood - Excited patrons of the Historic Ironwood Theatre packed the house for Saturday night's annual Claudette Christmas show, during which they were clapping and cheering even before the acts began.
Even musical director George Ackerman-Behr, who offered a pre-show warm-up by playing organ tunes such as "Winter Wonderland," received cries of "We love you!"
The Claudettes began the show by applying their jazzy dance skills to pop Christmas tunes, which eventually allowed for Santa Claus to run down one of the theatre aisles, shouting "Ho, Ho, Ho!" before joining the ladies onstage.
Throughout the evening, the ladies also performed several other numbers, including a reindeer dance and glitzy routines set to fun holiday tunes, including "The 12 Days of Christmas." The audience could not have loved them more.
Overall, the evening provided an extravaganza of talent, with dancers, singers and musicians of all ages performing anything from Christmas pop to Christian classics.
A special treat came in the way of Miles Mykkanen, an international vocalist and former Bessemer resident, who sang stunning renditions of "Ave Maria" and Puccini's "Nessun Dorma."
He received one of two standing ovations, with the second given to Ewen-Trout Creek's A Cappella Choir, whose members sang four tunes with full hearts beyond their years, while accompanied by microphone magic that included shivery sounds and complementary syncopation.
Claudette members include Becky Bogaczyk, Joyce Gayan, Andrea Harrison, Angie Lauzon and Karen Mallum. The final member, Cindy Franck, also directed the entire show with help from assistant Judy Holst.
In addition, Sue Pallin and Deb Leonard filled in as able guest members during the Claudettes' popular "March of the Toy Soldiers" routine.
Other show performers sometimes joined the Claudettes, such as in the "Frosty the Snowman Medley," when Santa and Mrs. Claus, Tic and Toc, snowflake dancers and snowmen added even more energy. HIT operations manager Bruce Greenhill played a tall "Frosty."
Andrea Harrison was in charge of the show's awesome costumes, which had a brilliant array of artfully considered color, creativity and harmony, all helping to express the Christmas theme. Heidi Brown's makeup team backed her up, and Susie Filippo was stage manager.
Female vocalists included Lindsey Avercamp, Beth Bordner, Mary Hilgendorf, Sue Pallin, Marla Powers, and Desiree Walowinski.
Male singers included Roy Haeger, Larry Hopkins and Dave Rowe.
Bethany Ann Hellen Studios provided some of the dancers, under the direction of choreographer Monica Lindquist.
One of the most delightful routines was a Santa Claus dance in which a stage full of dancers, all dressed in Santa costumes, kicked up a storm.
Even the spaces between acts were filled with adorable elves setting up and removing props.
The stage filled to the brim during a "Jingle Bells" act in which all of the night's performers joined the Claudettes for a loaded finale.
Greg Gasman played Santa, and Claudia Panosso played Mrs. Claus while also acting as chief choreographer for the last time before retiring from the role.
The annual Claudette Christmas Show is co-sponsored by HIT, along with Theatre North and The Claudettes.
Show profits go to support the two theatres and local charitable causes.
