LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Matters |
by Murray Archibald |
Fruit and Friends
Comic figures have always been able to say things that none of the rest of us would dream of speaking out loudeven when it's the truth. The archetypal figure of the clown as seen in the court jester, the joker, the mischievous imp, and of course, the drag queen, makes us laugh-out-loud and squirm-in-our-seat at the same timenow that I think about it, the same holds true for the CAMP Rehoboth Follies (the laughing and squirming at the same time, that is). As American Idol demonstrates every year, we are equally fascinated by what is good and what is not. Part of the charm of a show like the Follies is that we get to see real peoplemembers of our own communitystand up and entertain us. Is it good? Is it bad? Do we care? Back in 2003, Fay Jacobs, whose directing skills we still rely upon to produce the Follies, introduced an article in Letters that quoted some of that year's Follies' troupe members. "The Follies, I love it." She said. "It's a great big, unpredictable, frightening, naughty, fabulous let's-put-on-a-show extravaganza, with jittery amateur performers trying their best and cheering audience members at their most exuberant. I don't know what's more fun, the groups who get it just right or the ones who try so hard you want to hug them. Of course, there are always mini-mix-ups, cues dropped, wigs dropped, whole scripts tossed to the wind, but heck, that's show biz." "I was thrilled by the amazing sense of community and support for each other I felt all evening," Cathin Bishop said in the same article. "The energy in that room could have provided electricity for all of Delaware. It really was a gathering of 800 family members." This town has always been about communityabout making friends and creating a safe place where the cares and troubles of everyday life can, for a time, be forgotten. In the early days of Rehoboth, the Methodist Church campground that grew up in this place did so because the ocean brought people together in community. Today our CAMP is not so different. People come to escape, yes, but also to be a part of the special community that thrives here. As I searched the CAMP Rehoboth website for the information I quoted above, I was struck by the feeling that a lot had changed since 2003. Normally I try to keep my personal politics out of CAMP matters, but I can't help but feel that the weight of the war in Iraq and the poor leadership of the current administration have taken a toll on all of us. We feel it, whether we know we feel it or not. Maybe this year we need the Follies more than everand Sundance, too, for that matter. The simple fact is that in the act of laughing together or dancing together we find common ground with one anotherand we find the release we need to face the world around us and all that goes with it. Don't misunderstand, by the way, I'm, not suggesting that The Follies is a panacea for all that ails us, in fact, there are times when it even makes me feel a little queasy. The show does, however, remind me that no matter what is happening in our lives, a little bit of laughter makes dealing with it a whole lot easier. As the curtain opens on this year's CAMP Rehoboth Follies, we'll be treated to both familiar faces and new ones. The CAMP boys return again this year to perform the opening skit (and with a surprisingly "delicious" new look). Also returning are the always popular Schnuzerhaven Gang and last year's Gold Barbie winners Victoria's Secrets. New members of the Follies cast include: (pictured at left) Sacred Cows (from Retro Caf and the Charter Theatre), MCC of Rehoboth, an improv skit from Delaware Improv Comedy, and more. And finally, the icing on the cake, the fabulous Mr. Christopher Peterson returns as the 2007 Follies host and Emcee. This year the theme of the Follies is "Fruit Cocktail," a fact I couldn't possibly forget because of the rising mound of plastic fruit (thank you Kathy and Lynn) collecting around my feet. Since the CAMP act always tries to set the theme for the evening, the office has been filled, of late, with an abundance of fruit puns and word playmy current favorite being: "Bananas and apples and pears, oh my! Bananas and apples and pears, oh my! Bananas and apples and pears, oh my!" Apeeling isn't it? Even the Follies bartenders have gotten into the act this year; they've designed a real Fruit Cocktail that can be sampled by bringing canned goods (fruit or otherwise) to the Follies to be donated to the Cape Henlopen Food Basket. Tickets to the 2007 Follies: Fruit Cocktail are $25 for General Admission and $50, $75, and $100 for premier seating (see seating chart for details). The doors open at 6 p.m.; the curtain goes up at 7 p.m.; and there's a Cash Bar and Popcorn. Thank you to the LOVE 2007 Volunteers Bill Alldredge James Andrews Sondra Arkin Murray Archibald John Berdini Cathin Bishop Jim Carlo Rich Carroll Ritch Carroll Harvey Chasser Gretchen Clausen Andres Decos Rob Dick Tony DiMichele Arthur Dochterman Teri Dunbar Gene Dvornick Steve Elkins Ward Ellinger Michael Fetchkov Keven Fitzsimmons John Furbush Tony Ghigi Jonathan Handy Tim Hartley Fred Hertrich Jackie Ignacio Al Knipe Charlie Lee Sharon Messina Joe Mirabella Keith Neale Keith Petrack Barb Ralph Mary Beth Ramsey Ken Reilly Jennifer Rubenstein Harvey Sharpe Rick Siegle Guillermo Silveira Laura Simon Sandra Skidmore Jeff Stone Jeff Stroud Sammy Trail Mike Welsh Larry Zeigler Karl Zoric Thany you to all the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Volunteers for the period of June 29July 12. Tony Burns Ward Ellinger Mary Ford Judy Hedrick Charlie Lee Stan Mills Michael Muller Barb Ralph Chris Sampson Guillermo Silveira Jeff Stone Rainbow Thumb Club (CAMP Courtyard Volunteers) Matt Carey Ward Ellinger Rob Freeman Tony Ghigi Steve Hoult Shawn Noel Bud Palmer Ken Reilly Tom White Murray Archibald, Founder and President of the Board of Directors of CAMP Rehoboth, is an artist in Rehoboth Beach. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 17, No. 9 July 13, 2007 |