Laughter, good food, and an evening of camaraderie were enjoyed for a good cause on Friday, Dec. 6.
At Prairie Place Hall in Arcola the Moose Mountain Health Care Recruitment Committee (MMHCRC) hosted their 6th fundraising dinner theatre to raise money for ensuring healthcare in the area.
The MMHCRC is made up of Brenda Walter, Lynn Brady, Bev Grimes, and Sheila Sim. They are dedicated to ensuring healthcare in the area
Currently Carlyle has two doctors working out of the Carlyle clinic, with duties also at the hospital in Arcola, while Arcola has Dr. Morin who has been working for a number of years in the area. The pressures on these three doctors will soon be lessened in the New Year when Dr. Kahn and Dr. Davies will begin working out of Arcola.
"We'll be very stable in the New Year," Walter stated happily. "We've had a very successful year as the recruitment committee."
During last year's struggles with healthcare the recruitment committee became even more actively involved in helping the community and surrounding area rectify the situation.
As a performer who was channeling Celine Dion during the show began chanting, "Keep the 'H!' Keep the 'H!'"
The audience took up the chant as last year the 'H' on the Arcola sign was covered and later uncovered, then covered again. Keeping the hospital open is extremely important to people in and around the town as it is the nearest hospital for miles around.
For the last four years, Walter explained, the show has been sold out. It has become a destination event for business Christmas parties in the area.
Cocktails were held between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. with supper beginning at 7 p.m. and entertainment to follow.
In the past the dinner theatre has usually brought in the Applause Dinner Theatre from Regina, while Cornerstone Theatre in Carlyle assisted with one of the early performances. This year, though not organized by Cornerstone, the entertainment was composed entirely of local performers.
Marla Schlenker was first contacted to put together the entertainment. Taking a little time to think about accepting Schlenker contacted Auldene Craig and together they organized the highly entertaining performance titled, "The Best of Vegas and Broadway."
Performers for the evening included Shelley Fornwald, Christine Thornton, Auldene Craig, Murray Wyatt, Lisa Eaton, Anita Warriner, Clayton Schira, Lindy Schira, Vannessa Dahl, Rob Wilson, Brooke Catley, Alina Craig, Laurie Fornwald, Darcy Singleton, Cathy Burton, Kevin Schlenker, Kirk Johnston, Emilie Craig, Carter Thornton, Dan Reeves, Cassie Eaton, Marla Schlenker, Quinn Brown, Elaine Hislop, Joel Carpenter, Jeff Thrnton, Cherilyn Gress, Brendon Fornwald, Hayley Hislop, Taylor Sargent, Vanessa Bendtsen, Mariana Tait, Jorja Bendsten, Madison Riddell, Brooklyn Lewis, Jenna McAuley, McKenzie Warriner, Sonia Wilson, Emily Nelson, Erica Wilson, Kyla Fischer, Reagan Nicholson, Taris Rae, and Ciera Romanow.
The production included multiple attempted performances by an imposter Celine Dion who had the real one tied up backstage. Acting as a comedic relief throughout the night Dion brought many laughs to the crowd.
Other performers included Liza Minnelli and Goldie Hawn performing "All that Jazz" from the musical "Chicago." An Arcola Cirque de Soleil performance, guest star Julie Andrews performing "The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music," Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, a group of four performing songs about menopause, Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried from Mama Mia, Shania Twain, the Arc-ettes (Rockettes), Elvis Presley, and a burlesque type finally with Precision "SwAg" bringing it altogether.
The local performers were all amazing. The talent from gymnastics to singing and dancing were extremely impressive and showcased what southeast Saskatchewan has to offer.
It was a great event for an important cause, which resulted in a standing ovation for the many performers who "wow'd" the crowd.
