Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 • Ed Susanville performs at the Veterans Memorial Hall
Publisher’s note: This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 edition of the Lassen County Times.
Back in the good old days of the 1950s and the 1960s, variety shows on television ruled the airwaves, and former newspaperman Ed Sullivan hosted one of the most popular offerings on Sunday nights from 1948 to 1971. Following in the footsteps of that tradition, the Lassen County Arts Council presents the fourth Ed Susanville Show at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Susanville.
Susanville’s tribute band, The Beatles, will recreate that magic moment from the evening of Feb. 9, 1964 when the moptops made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. For those trivia buffs, the Ed Sullivan Theatre from which the Beatles launched the British Invasion is now the home of the David Letterman Show.“We’re presenting a variety show in the same ilk as the Ed Sullivan Show,” said event organizer Doug Sheehy. “We’ve got millions of acts.”
Sheehy said the show features a number of local artists performing everything from classical piano, jazz, country, rock ‘n’ roll and even a spirited reading of “Song of Myself” from Walt Whitman’s 1885 collection “Leaves of Grass.”
The performers will appear on four separate stages in the Veterans Hall, a theatric device designed to quicken the pace of the show.
“We’re doing this show in the unique way I’ve always done it,” Sheehy said. “We don’t have massive amounts of rehearsal. I contact everybody, and they work out their part of the show. We have a Friday night dress rehearsal and then the Saturday night show. It’s always worked out well.”
A list of performers at this year’s Ed Susanville Show reads like a who’s who of local artists.
Country crooner Jason Wheeler will appear in the Ed Susanville variety show, a fundraiser for the Lassen County Arts Council, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15 in the Veterans Memorial Hall. Wheeler represented Susanville in the national finals of the Colgate Country Showdown several years ago and appeared regionally with the Smith Wheeler Band.Jason Wheeler, a popular country crooner who represented Susanville in the nationals as part of the Colgate Country Showdown, will present a country number.
Dennis Roberts, a classically trained pianist who earned a master’s degree in baroque organ, will perform a classical piano piece.
“Dennis is a wonderful piano player,” Sheehy said.
Wasted Youth, a local rock ‘n’ roll band that performs mostly original music will offer some very modern music that Sheehy characterized as “the new sound.”
Mike West, a comedian who pokes some good-natured fun at all things Lassen County, will offer his gut-busting, leg-slapping and always hilarious perspective on our local community.
Elgin Cannon will sing and offer a dramatic reading of Whitman’s “Song of Myself.”
The J and J Dancers will present a dance in the style of the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes and Seane McElrath and the troupe will perform a hip-hop dance number.
“Seane’s won competitions all over the state,” Sheehy said.
For those old enough to remember those hairy days of the early 1960s, Susanville’s Beatles’ tribute band — comprised of Sheehy, Stephen Cramer, Greg Dood, Danny Upright and George McDermott — will recreate one of the really big nights on the Ed Sullivan Show, the arrival of the four moptops from Liverpool.
Solomon Everta, whom Sheehy said was a “newcomer” and a classically trained mime, will show off his unusual talent.
Tom and Linda Braun will perform a comedy number.
Sheehy said there may even be appearances by a special guest or two.
The American Legion will provide a no-host bar, and the arts council will provide other refreshments.
