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Listen to me, please! A few of
the performers you see and read about below, can also be heard. Just click on the individuals "play triangle''
near their picture.
By the way, my name is
Elson Irwin, the
founder and artistic director of Seniors On Stage. I've been affiliated in some way with show business since I was just a
tot. I'm basically a writer, but I have performed in a multitude of plays and musicals, directed and
worked in all phases of the theater, including film, television, stage, cruise ship entertainment, murder mysteries,
but enough about me...Allow me to introduce our Assistant-Director...Bob Higgins!
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| Bob Higgins |
Assistant-Director
Bob Higgins is an artist turned performer. A great sense of
timing and a rich baritone voice! And he keeps getting better and better all the time. He is a fine actor having been
seen locally in "Othello," "Fiddler On The Roof," "Damn Yankees." and "Wonderful Town," at the Ramona Bowl and
Mount San Jacinto College. He was seen and heard in several "Broadway At Sunset" shows at Ramona Bowl and has appeared
in numerous S.O.S. productions, including the roles of Flo Ziegfeld in "Tin Pan Alley Comes to Hemet," and Billy
Crocker in "Almost Anything Goes." In a recent production, the versatile performer assumed the role of Charles Lindbergh,
better known as "Lucky Lindy." When he was asked to do country, he did a "double take" but he performed the role of Kenny
Rogers and the crowd loved it. He is a fine announcer and a comedian with an excellent sense of timing. His most
recent role was the lead in "The Stork Club Murders."
Click on the forward triangle below to hear Bob sing "That's Life"
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| Cynthia Orme |
Cynthia Orme,
born in New York City, began dance training at age two at Joe Kelly School of Dance. Moved to California where she continued
training with the Meglin Kiddies. Studied drama at Grace Bowman School in Hollywood. With the USO, she toured
with Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and others. She was accepted to study with the San Francisco Ballet. Performed at the
Pacific Dollar Opera in San Francisco and the Golden Gate Theater. As a member of Long Beach Civic Light Opera, she
appeared in "Bittersweet," "The Vagabond King," "The Mikado," "The King and I," and more. Became a founder of Showboat
Troupe and Dance Co., and with two partners, opened the Showboat Dinner Theater in Woodland Hills, Calif. Appeared in many
films as an extra and on radio and television. She has performed in two "Broadway at Sunset" productions
at the Ramona Bowl. In addition to her wonderful solos, she also acts as vocal coach and is an assistant director for SOS.
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| Marilyn Sowinski as Dolly Parton |
Choreographer
Marilyn Sowinski is a multiplex of
talent performing many characters. She danced in a scene entitled "Life Upon A Wicked Stage" from "Showboat."
She has also appeared as The Little Tramp, Charlie Chaplin, and numerous other entertainment figures. She
dances in all styles, and if it wasn't a secret, we'd tell you she is also the "Rodeo Clown." She played Annie of "Annie Get
Your Gun," Marlene Dietrich, dancing to "See What The Boys In The Back Room Will Have," Mrs. Murphy of "Who Threw the
Overalls In Mrs. Murphy's Chowder" fame and Lotta Sunshine, in "Almost Anything Goes." In "It's About Time," she
performed the famous belly dance as Salome. You ought to see her as Dolly Parton. Marilyn also makes
all of her own costumes and many stage props.
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| Gigi St. John as Marilyn Monroe |
To hear Gigi sing, click the tirangle above
Gigi St. John dances, sings and acts. In the photo at right, she portrays the legendary Marilyn Monroe. Gigi is a versatile performer and can switch from a Marilyn to a Mary Martin to Ann Miller in an instant. Her performance is always first-rate. In one SOS production, she played Hope Harcourt in "Almost Anything Goes," singing "Always True To You Darlin' In My Fashion." In another show, "It's About Time," she played an aging Jean Harlow, and sang and danced "No Time At All." Gigi is so versatile, that she can be any age. She played Shania Twain in the first SOS country show and Shirley Temple in the "Hemet Follies of 2006." She played the fabulous "Vampira" in the "Monster Bash" at Motte's Barn in Romoland, and displayed her visible talents in the role of Mae West in "The Speakeasy."
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| Peter White in excerpts from "Fiddler On The Roof" |
Peter White, a retired
college professor but a lifetime musician, lends an air of elegance to the troupe for the way he performs such beautiful and
haunting tunes on the harmonica, He also adds much to the group by playing certain roles such as Tevye ("Fiddler On
The Roof"). Only in Peter's case, the fiddle is the harmonica. He has been seen around Hemet working with Hank
Spiekerman (former Big Band pianist and a musician who worked with the King Sisters) and Luther Kessell, a three-man act,
known as the Twilighters. White had featured roles in the SOS Irish show, "A Leprechaun Finds A Pot of Gold
in Hemet," and "What's In A Name," and played Moonface Martin in "Almost Anything Goes." Peter, most recently,
played in a special concert in Canada (where he was born.). He is one of those "never say die" people, who believes the "show
must go on."
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| Jack Aten in one of his comedy roles - Larry the Cable Guy |
Jack Aten - He has established
himself as an important member of S.O.S. Jack has proven he belongs, performing as Rodney Dangerfield in one version
of the "Hollywood Canteen" Show, and also performs as Larry The Cable Guy. He wowed them at the KofC "Las Vegas Variety Show,' and
displays his talents as the bumbling detective, Elliot Mess, in the "Speakeasy Show." Jack is a versatile stand-up
comic, coming to us from Hemet West. He proved his merit as an actor portraying the ex-bootlegger Sherman Billingsley in "The
Stork Club Murders."
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| Jan Milos as Rosa Ponselle in "The Speakeasy" |
Jan Milos - Jan is a coloratura soprano who began studying music at the age of six. Shortly after high school, she took a 30 year hiatus to raise her family. With much encouragement, she returned to singing, and has performed with the Southwest Women’s Chorus, the Temecula Valley Master Chorale, the Don Morris Singers, the Inland Valley Opera Company, and Seniors On Stage. Her most recent performances have been with the Inland Valley Opera Company appearing as a chorister in Die Fledermaus, Cosi Fan Tutte, The Mikado, and the Page in Rigoletto.
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| Jeanne Baker, our newest member |
Jeanie Baker - "A native Kansan, she started singing
solos as a young girl at church and throughout her school years. Over the years Jeanie performed as Polly Browne in "The Boyfriend"
and as Daisy Mae in "Lil Abner". Jeanie has sung at many weddings and funerals as well as with the RB Master Chorale, Southwest
Women's Chorus and the Temecula Valley Master Chorale. While in Kansas, she was soloist with Vaughn Bolton and his Orchestra
performing at many state-wide Army and Air base officer and NCO clubs. Jeanie has a wonderfully modulated voice. In "The Stork
Club Murders," she played Margaret Whiting and sang "What'll I Do."
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| Kathleen Maloney and her saxophone |
Kathleen Maloney,
a veteran performer on stage as well as recordings, comes to S.O.S. from Dublin, Ireland, where she was
the No. 1 child star in the country at age 11. She began her career at age 10 on the Irish and London stages. She also
performed all over Europe and North Africa. She had featured roles in films, and on television and radio.
Kay did an American tour (Boston, Chicago, etc.) and also entertained U.S. and British troops during WWII, at which
time she met and married her American husband. She appeared with Bob Hope and Julie Andrews. Kay sings, dances,
plays the accordion, saxophone and guitar. She is a most versatile performer.
SOS is proud she has joined the troupe. In her most recent role, she played Daisy the hatcheck girl in the "Stork Club Murders,"
and sang "Oh Johnny."
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| Rita Deters at the Hoedown |
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| Rita "Ain't Misbehavin" at Mardi Gras |
To hear Rita sing, click on forward
triangle above
Rita Deters, has dramatic as
well as musical talent, and therefore is a candidate for all sorts of roles. She was especially effective as Fanny
Brice on "Secondhand Rose," and Kate Smith on "God Bless America." She has a definite bent for comedy. She
has performed in several "Broadway at Sunset" productions at Ramona Bowl, and sings in several church choirs. She brought
down the house performing "Hard-Hearted Hannah" in the "What's In A Name" show. In the recent "It's About
Time" show, Rita portrayed Ann Boleyn, and she managed to keep her head about her. She was featured in the "Salute To
Country" show as Annie Oakley and Judy Canova, and Bloody Mary in "What I Did On My Summer Vacation." She was also featured in
the "Monster Bash" show at Motte's Barn. Her most recent role was as Ethel Merman in "The Stork Club Murders."
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| Ellie Childers, SOS historian |
SOUND/Secretary-Treasurer
Ellie Childers has forgotten more about movie
musicals than most of us will ever remember. She keeps a great scrapbook of all S.O.S. press clippings and photos taken
at the shows. She also puts in a lot of work backstage, and has served as prop custodian in addition to pulling the
curtain (as she is doing in this photo.) SOS is truly greatful for everything
Ellie does (without ever seeking the limelight.)
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| Ruth Ann Marcus |
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| Ruth Marcus - musical director |
Musical Director
Ruth Ann Marcus /Compton
is an accomplished musician (keyboards) and is the musical director for Seniors On Stage. She has also joined the ensemble
of Ed Wyatt, Jerry Bennett and Ella Webb, dubbed "The Full Spectrum." They are capable of performing all kinds
of music from pop, easy listening to country. Ruth is a Godsend to SOS with her musical knowledge and ability to work
with all types of performers. She can make her keyboard sound like an entire orchestra. We found out that Ruth
also is a singer, and she contributed greatly as the school principal in "What I Did On My Summer Vacation," singing "Swingin
On A Star."
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| Katherine Mendoza in rehearsal |
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| Ed Wyatt - singer and musician |
Ed Wyatt is one of the most versatile performers
in the S.O.S. troupe. He sings a variety of songs from "A Boy Named Sue" to "Clancy Lowered the Boom." He is one of
the lead guitarists in the recently formed band, "Full Spectrum." He has played a variety of roles in past
S.O.S. productions, and also plays as a single now and then. He is a country music historian with a full knowledge of
all the great singers of the past, and has learned a lot from all of them. Ed has a laid-back style and likes to tell
funny stories, musically or not.
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| Katherine Mendoza sings country |
Katherine Mendoza
knows how to take a tune and turn it into an entire idea. Her first S.O.S. role
was as Mrs. O'Leary in the all Irish show. Katherine is just as much at home with pop ballads as with country and western
songs. The best way to describe her is that she is expressive and has excellent diction. In the recent "What's
In A Name" show, she sang "Maria Elena" with the S.O.S. band to critical acclaim, but you ought to hear her do "Stand By Your
Man." She also sang "Amapola" in the "Name" show. She played the alluring Cleopatra in "It's About Time," and
Tammy Wynette in the all-country show.
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| Bunny Carchedi |
CHORAL DIRECTOR
Bunny Carchedi, has
been in music most of her life in Minnesota, Washington and California. She was a member of the Sweet Adelines International
as a founder of two chapters and as director and lead singer in three quartets. She has directed choirs and community
choruses. She was very active in little theater, acting and directing drama, comedy and musical theater such as "Guys
and Dolls," and "Most Happy Fella." Bunny's favorite way of expressing her musical talent is in singing the old standards
wherever there is a stage. In Hemet, she formed a small senior group called "The Old Smoothies," with Hank Spiekerman
on keyboard, husband Frank, Ed and Betty Jean Carter, and for a while they were joined by Peter White and Luther Kessell.
Most recently, she had the opportunity to sing her old favorites in Berlin, Germany at the BeBop Jazz Club, accompanied by
the best jazz trio in Europe! Bunny also plays the piano and enjoys painting with oils. In the "Time" productiom,
she played Queen Isabella, She came back with Sophie Tucker amd Bette Midler combination in the "Barn Dance" show. Her
daughter is Janet Hammer, a recording artist and nightclub performer with tremendous talent.
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| Frank Carchedi |
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| Frank Carchedi as Columbus |
Frank Carchedi was given a solo in a school
program in Asbury Park, New Jersey; the audience loved it, and he was hooked! From that moment on, he was cast in every
play and musical throughout his school years. After that, he performed in many community choirs, choruses, programs,
banquets and parties in New Jersey, and in later years, Seattle, Washington. He loved performing for the Cranberry Festival
and in the musical "Oliver," in Long Beach, Washington. Here in Hemet, he sang with a small group, "The Old Smoothies,"
along with his wife, Bunny. Being of Italian descent, he enjoys doing a lot of the old Dean Martin tunes such as "Amore."
He played a famous Italia, Christopher Columbus, in the recent "It"s About Time," and in at recent show, he played Mario
Lanza's younger brother. But he brought the house down in "What I Did On My Summer Vacation," singing "I Cain't Get Offa My
Horse." His characterization of Doctor Peepers in the "Stork Club Murders" almost
stole the show recently at Seven Hills.
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| Rick Messina and his mandolin |
Rick Messina ----
or, 'Mister
Mellow,'as he was known
in Carlsbad, California, began singing, at age 8. About the same time, his father began teaching him the mandolin. In school, as a drummer, Rick played in various drum and bugle corps, concert, marching and dance bands. Later, he "guest sang" with several combos, and big bands. He was introduced to SOS by present member Peter White, and has been an integral part of the group ever since. He is principally a ballad singer, but he is also an accomplished musician. He played the role of Ronald Coleman in SOS' last show, "The Stork Club Murders."
in Carlsbad, California, began singing, at age 8. About the same time, his father began teaching him the mandolin. In school, as a drummer, Rick played in various drum and bugle corps, concert, marching and dance bands. Later, he "guest sang" with several combos, and big bands. He was introduced to SOS by present member Peter White, and has been an integral part of the group ever since. He is principally a ballad singer, but he is also an accomplished musician. He played the role of Ronald Coleman in SOS' last show, "The Stork Club Murders."
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| Bev Hanson |
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| Bev Hanson sings country |
Bev Hanson/Polito began
singing in school productions and church choirs and then did solo work with the Torrance Choir. In 1984, she performed
with the choir when it toured London, Paris, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. She performed in some of the oldest churches
in Europe and on July 4, 1984, she sang at the American Embassy in Paris. Bev has a clear, musical comedy-type voice
which will be an asset to Seniors On Stage. She has performed "The Messiah," and was Tweedle Dee in a "Disney" music show.
We think she looks a bit like Angela Lansbury, and we look forward to her performing in all of the future SOS shows.
She played Queen Elizabeth I in "It's About Time." She also learned to sing "country," Her hottest number, which she has sung
in several shows, is "Fever," a la Peggy Lee.
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| Diane Greenfield |
Diane Greenfield has
probably made the greatest strides of any performer associated with Seniors On Stage. She had no previous experience as a
performer, but she took to direction and let her natural ability leap forth. She can belt a country tune or sing a sultry
ballad. She has a comedic sense as well -- having recently joined a local clown troupe. She has a variety of expressions
and knows how to move on stage. She was seen as the sexy Mae West in the SOS production "It's About Time," and was
double-featured in the "Salute to Country" show in June, singing the parts of Kitty Wells and Loretta Lynn. She is one
of those performers who just can't wait to get on stage! Her best role to date was as Texas Guinan in the SOS production of
"The Speakeasy -- Joe Sent Me." In a recent production, she turned her hair black and became Gypsy Rose Lee.
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| Pat Wood (Toth) |
Pat Wood,
our more-than-reliable sound technician, is appreciated by the entire cast for the way she has helped
improve our sound. But in more recent productions, Pat has come forward as a performer. She is not only an excellent
stand-up comedian, she played Hillary Queen, the detective, in "The Stork Club Murders."
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| Amy Chambers sings "Crazy" in "Hemet Hoedown" |
Amy Chambers, originally from Costa Rica, received
her early training at the Southern California Conservatory of Music and sang with the Mormon Choir of Southern California
for over 10 years, having appeared at Carnegie Hall and with the Boston Pops Orchestra. She has experience in acting and modeling,
as well as singing. She sang with the Glendale and Verdugo Hills choirs. She is also a ballroom dancer She directs her church
choir where she also performs as soloist. She is fluent in Spanish and English. She recently did a bang-up job on "Granada"
in SOS's show "We Open At the Palace." She recently played Carmen Miranda in "The Stork Club Murders."
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| Barbara Freno |
Barbara Leone
is a member of the Marta Scott Hawaiian dancers, and has been dancing
much of her life, learning the hula with Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians. She has been doing the hula since she was in
her twenties. She performed in ice shows in North Hollywood, and once won a gold medal in the Senior Olympics by performing
a dance number to "Me And My Shadow." She performed with Marilyn Sowinski as Judy Garland in "We're A Couple of Swells" in
"We Open At The Palace." She loves ballroom dancing and performs with her husband/partner, Vince Leone.
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| Vince Leone |
Vince Leone, with a smooth baritone voice likes to sing
those old Dean Martin classics, but he chooses his material wisely. He can switch from a Hawaiian luau (what other kind of
luaus are there?} to country to easy listening with relative ease. Showing versatility, he showed up at the "Monster
Bash" as a piece of M & M candy! Now, if that isn't method acting, we don't know what is. Vince had very little experience
in shows, having sung for family and friends all his life, but he won a karaoke contest aboard a cruise ship and things haven't
been the same since. He has many invitations to sing in the Hemet area and we hope he will be around S.O.S. for years
to come. Vince played Bugsy Moran in the "Speakeasy" show, and he also sings a great Jolson song. He and his wife Barbara,
are an excellent dance duo.
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| Jean Obere |
Jean Obere, formerly of the London and New York stage, is a dancer/singer/actress
with a variety of skills and moods. Being of English background, she does cockney accents such as Eliza Doolittle in
"My Fair Lady." She is an outstanding music hall-style performer, with a lovely, clear voice. She is very serious
about show business, coming from an extensive professional background in dance and vocal interpretation.
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| Shirley Long |
Shirley Long who is now inactive because of health reasons, played
a number of comedy roles for S.O.S. in years gone by. She played the ditzy secretary in the "Tin Pan Alley" show and sang
"You're The Top" in the "Almost Anything Goes - After All, This IS Hemet" show.
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| Trish LaRue - Flamenco Dancer |
Trish Larue is a Flamenco dancer who comes to Seniors On Stage after appearing on stages
all over the country. She has appeared in several productions locally. She studied dancing in Spain and brings a new
dimension to SOS shows. She is also an accomplished actress. Ms LaRue is also available for Flemenco instruction.
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| Ella Webb sings "Crazy" |
Ella Webb has
become one of the "regulars" in SOS. She has fit the "family" like a glove. She sang and played the autoharp in the
first country-western show, and came back strong on duets with Ed Wyatt, plus some solos on her own in the second annual
"Hemet Hoedown." Ella is a versatile performer and it will be interesting to see her in other roles.
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| Jerry Bennett on bass |
Jerry
Bennett plays a mean bass, and every once in a while gets a yen for an acting spot. Bass players are known
for their shyness, although he once challenged the Great John L. (stage version). He is an integral part of a group
known as "Biscuit Hill Band," (featuring Rick and Sandy Vander Linden along with dummer Frank mPepitone, and are now available
throughout the Inland Empire for dances, parties and get-to-gethers. The only thing we haven't heard him do yet, is
sing. Maybe we have a surprise in the offing. He certainly displayed some emotional qualities in the recent "Anything
Goes" show, when he played an over-zealous FBI agent. In "It's About Time," he played a burly caveman and also The Executioner.
(That's a role not the name of his guitar.) His mother, Elena, is a performer who sings and plays guitar.
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| Hank Spiekerman |
Hank Spiekerman is 88 years young and has now retired from
show business, but for years was a specialty musician for SOS. He played keyboard for a number of major bands during
the Big Band Era, and was accompaniest for the King Sisters. Hank has engaged in many recording sessions with some of
the biggest bands around and performed with Les Brown and His Band of Renown in the "hey-day" years and especially
on the major hit "Sentimental Journey." For a while, he was with the "Old Smoothies" here in Hemet and also
performed with "The Twilighters" (Peter White and Luther Kessell). Hank has more music in his head than can possibly
be imagined. .
Susan Tedisco, a lady with a great voice, is on medical leave...We'll get pictures of her when she returns to SOS.
We also wish to acknowledge Irene Gabriel,
for her contributions backstage on sound, curtain and props, and she even played a banshee in the Irish
show.
And coming soon are pics and bios
of Louie Castellanos, Joe Barros and Pat Anderson