One guy I just can’t help but smile when I’m around is Banjo Bill Collins. He’s a talented musician, singer, actor, comedian, composer, director, playwright — OK, he’s an all-around performer.
He’s also the master of ceremonies for the Westside Performing Arts Company’s Wild West Variety Show, which takes place tonight and Saturday night at the Old Shasta School House in Old Shasta.
Here’s a little peak at Banjo Bill taking on a few personalities in a promo video for the show:
Audiences will get a few chuckles and a few songs out of Banjo Bill, but he’s not the only one with performing chops among this excellent group. Expect to hear numbers from several musicals performed by an array of stellar vocalists.
Performers Blair Reynolds and Kim Norden.
There’s also beer and wine, a barbecue dinner, door prices, games and more. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $25.
Guests are invited to dress in the old west attire of their choosing. For more information, click here.
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Also this weekend, Redding actress Susan Daugherty stars as Shirley Valentine in a one-woman show at the Riverfront Playhouse (1620 East Cypress Ave.).
Daughterty has graced the stage for many memorable roles at the Riverfront and this may be the last chance to see her for awhile as she’s planning to move to the Northern California coast.
“Shirley Valentine,” a Willy Russell play, is directed by Russell Piette. (I’ll never forget Piette and Daugherty teaming up for an incredible performance of Stephen King’s “Misery” a few years back.) The show is being done as a parting gift to Riverfront and will benefit the playhouse’s capital campaign. Riverfront is continuing its push to relocate to a new theater in downtown Redding.
The play is a monologue by a middle-aged, working class Liverpool housewife. It focuses on her life before and after a transforming holiday abroad. “Shirley Valentine” premiered in Liverpool in 1986 and has since won many awards.
Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. tonight (April 23) and Saturday (April 24) at Riverfront Playhouse. Tickets are $15 and available in advance at Vintner’s Cellar in downtown Redding. Daugherty will also perform this one-woman show as dinner theater at Tapas Restaurant on April 27 and again at Vintner’s Cellar on April 29.
