LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Everything's Coming Up Follies |
by Chris Riss |
Five men wearing skirted women's swimsuits and flowered bathing caps took to the ocean to perform an Olympic style synchronized swim routine. The laughing spectators on the beach watched the forceful waves knock over the smiling, poised performers and make a mockery of their attempts to be synchronized. This parody was the opening act of the 1992 Olympic Party. A four house progressive dinner party with themed skits at each stop. The first house, dressed as The Australian Synchronized Swim Team, performed the above skit then served barbecued kangaroo appetizers. The next course was served and skit performed a few blocks away by The French Badminton Team, followed by The Italian Disco Discus Tossers, and finally The Greek Rhythmic Gymnasts.
This party inspired Mark Chiakowski and Frank Surprenant's house to host increasingly elaborate parties the next few summers where houses performing skits became the main focus. Skits included reenactments of South Pacific's "Bloody Mary", Gypsy's "Gotta get a Gimmick", Sunset Blvd.'s "With One Look", Grease's "Summer Nights", La Cage's "I Am What I Am", Oklahoma's "Just a Girl Who Can't Say No", Dream Girls, "Proud Mary", "Copacabana", Hairspray... The last party was the legendary 1995 Golden Poodle Awards held at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. An attendee in 1995, David Franco, said, "I'd pay to see this!" That stuck in my mind. This July 27, ten houses/groups have the opportunity to share that same incredible experience of performing a campy skit on the Convention Center stage at the first annual CAMP Rehoboth Follies. Rehoboth has the talent, creativity and spirit to make this event a spectacular success. A similar event has raised money in Fire Island for years, and DC's performance filled "Miss Adam's Morgan Pageant" is always an immediate sell out. Those involved with Rehoboth's previous skit events remember them as the highlight of those summers. Not just for the time on stage, but more importantly the enduring camaraderie and bonding putting the act together created among the performers. There's nothing like the enthusiasm you feel upon getting the spark of an idea for a skit. The excitement builds as you start developing choreography, creating costumes and props, adding funny elements at rehearsals, keeping the act a secret, and finally performing to the cheering audience. At this summer's Follies the best three skits will win awards. Our five judges will evaluate the skits based on Entertainment Value, Costumes/ props, Execution, Difficulty and Creativity. First prize will be known as The Paul Robinson Award. Paul is a fondly remembered producer/star of past winning skits. If he were still with us he'd be favored to win on July 27. He'll be there in spirit, watching from the best seat in the house. The winning skit will also be commemorated on a plaque to be hung at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. This will be added to each year. Since it takes a few minutes for each act to clear the stage and the next to set up, we'll auction off great stuff between skits. If you have an item you think might bring in a handsome sum please contact Maggie Ottato at Maggii46@Yahoo.com. The always helpful management of the Blue Moon will be providing a cash bar featuring Foursquare Rum and Krowleski Vodka, two of our sponsors. Special lighting and sound systems will be installed to ensure no performer goes without a spot light or unheard in the back row. We're still looking for a videographer. If you know one please contact Maggie. Our stated purpose is to raise money for CAMP Rehoboth whose efforts to improve the Rehoboth experience benefits us all. An equally important reason for producing the Follies is to create community among us. It's that feeling of community we share that makes Rehoboth the special place it is. If you don't have the chutzpah to produce and perform a skit we'll be glad to have you as a $300 sponsor, which allows you four seats in the front rows. As a $100 host you can have two seats just behind the sponsors. General admission at $25 will fill in from there. The skit/sponsor/host/ticket form is on the CAMP Rehoboth Main Page. Download it, fill it out, and drop it off, send or fax it to CAMP. As Mickey said to Judy, "Let's put on a show!!!" Advice to would be skit makers: If you want to produce a skit don't present the idea in a house meeting. Just talk to the few people in your group who have the creative spirit. Work up a concept and roll with it. If you need more people use non house members. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 12, No. 05, May 17, 2002. |