Variety show books 14 acts for New Ritz Theatre benefit

Fourteen acts will provide a solid evening of entertainment when the Ralston Grange hosts the “Puttin’ on the Ritz” variety show Friday night to benefit The New Ritz Theatre.

Doors at the grange open at 5:30 p.m. with the show at 6:30 p.m. featuring a plethora of local talent.

Admission is by donation with all proceeds going to the RDDA Theater Fund.

Randy Roth shared the performance list this week, which has grown notably in the past few days. Here’s the list of performers scheduled to take the stage:

Dalyn Killian will perform “waterfall” by Jon Schmidt on piano.

Caitlin Schoessler will share a dance routine to “When You Wish Upon a Star.”

Elizabeth Schofstoll will play “Maple Leaf Rag,” by Scott Joplin on piano.

Sydney Nelson will sing “The Cup Song” from the movie Pitch Perfect.

Maya Wahl will share a monlogue of the original poem “The Farmer’s Daughter.”

Lara Tice-York will perform a tap dance routine to “Trouble” by Taylor Swift.

Ritzville Community Theatre’s Jean Richards and Miles Athey will perform a skit entitled “A Chance Encounter.”

Bridger Smith and Paul Ridgeway will share a guitar and vocal number, “By Your Side,” by Tenth Avenue North.

Sharon Anderson plans to use her trumpet to perform “America” and “America the Beautiful.”

Jack Anderson will share two clarinet numbers, “Only You” and “Abide by Me.”

Jennifer York, with her bassoon, will perform “Concerto I C Major” first movement for bassoon by Antonio Vivaldi. She will also play “The Pink Panther” on tenor saxophone by Henry Mancini as arranged by Arthur Frackenpohl.

Catherine Gingrich will perform a vocal solo.

Jerry Snyder will play a piano medley.

Dennis Evans will share his talents with a ukelele.

Dale Anderson will serve as the master of ceremonies for the event.

The grange membership, with support from the Ritzville Downtown Development Association and the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce, will host the benefit event to help raise funds for the purchase on new movie projection equipment. The historic theater must upgrade to the industry’s digital projection system in order to continue to present first run motion pictures.

A silent auction is planned. Among the items donated is a Wizard of Oz quilt prepared by Jadine Grams and Yvonne Anderson. Shirley Roth and Arliene Roth have each donated baby afghans. Union Elevator donated a sunflower bird bath. Darcia Dugger has donated table runners. Rod Dennis contributed hand carved pens. John Rankin of Flying Arts Ranch donated theater-inspired prints.

The grange will also give away a Kindle Fire via a raffle the night of the show. All attendees will receive a free ticket for the drawing.

Anyone who would like to donate a silent auction item, can drop off the item at the Ritzville Visitors’ Center Monday through Friday or contact Roth.

Donations to support the theater renovation can also be mailed to RDDA, P.O. Box 544, Ritzville, WA 99169. Checks should be made payable to the RDDA, which is a federally recognized nonprofit organization.