|
WOOD RIVER It's tough to find on the radio, but the music of the 1920s, 1930s and World War II still has a devoted following.
That music represents an era of solidarity, when people stood together to overcome various challenges, said Becky Noble, founder and member of Omaha's Cabaret Theatre troupe.
"I'm not sure we've seen a time like that since then," she said.
Noble's group will bring that music to Wood River this Saturday, when four members of Cabaret Theatre perform "Old Friends" at the Wood River Rural High School auditorium, located on Highway 11 a half-mile north of Highway 30.
The show is part of the second season of shows at the auditorium, which was opened in 2006, through the Donna Moyer Performing Arts Gift and grants from the Nebraska Arts Council.
The series has included a variety of events, including concerts, speakers and the school play, said Georgene Smidt, chairwoman of the Celebrate Wood River Performing Arts Council.
Smidt said many area residents have told the council how nice it is to be able to see arts events without having to drive to Grand Island or Kearney especially in winter, when the weather can make driving difficult.
And the word is spreading beyond Wood River, too.
"We're beginning to see people from other towns say, 'Wow, thank you for doing this,'" Smidt said.
Smidt said the council brought in Cabaret Theatre to appeal to older audiences who remember the group's music from the days of their youth.
The show will include tributes to the music of Hoagy Carmichael and World War II. While Noble will not be part of the group performing in Wood River, she said three of the four performers grew up during those eras.
"This is really close to their hearts," Noble said.
This show is one of several that Cabaret Theatre performs regularly, Noble said.
But it has taken hold among older residents and veterans, she said, and the troupe has performed at the State Fair, the 50th anniversary of Strategic Air Command and American Legion and VFW posts around the state.
Noble said Saturday's visit to Wood River's auditorium will be her first, but a friend of hers was involved in its construction.
"He used to tell me, 'Man, you should see this place,'" she said. "I'm anxious to see it."
|
