Annual Show Featured a Variety of Talent

By Imani Tate

Staff Writer

Laughter echoed around the Sophia Clarke Theater, oftentimes drowning out the unseen announcer’s voice, as an entire audience went bananas over the 10th annual Puttin’ On The Hits show at Mt. San Antonio College recently.

The variety show featured students, teachers, administrators, staff members and trustees. Performers donned wigs, platform shoes, Spandex, glitter, cowboy hats, mini-skirts, shimmering fringed dresses, bellbottoms, evening gowns and cheerleader outfits as they lip synched to songs to raise money for scholarships.

The three performances were packed with people having a good time for a good cause. Assuring there were no glitches to impede the fun was tech director Jay Truman and crew members Kevin Owen, Josh Tercero, Paula Gomez, James Eadie, Raul Miranda, James Costa and Chris Rodriguez.

“Just call me Tito,” math department chairman Chris McDonald said, patting down an oversized natural wig for his portrayal of the Jackson Five brother on the song “ABC.”

Some wigs made their characters instantly recognizable: psychology professor Michelle Grimes-Hillman as Liza Minelli, paired with communications prof Ken Klawitter, alias Frank Sinatra, for one- up-manship versions of “New York, New York”; Tina Turner’s wild strands worn by job developer Arnita Champion and math professor/ show director Joan Sholars’ red Reba McIntire wig.

The acts went from sublime and sophisticated to outlandish and hilarious as performers pulled out all the stops to make musical moments memorable. The audience roared, loudly announcing its approval of acts and screaming even more for favorites.

A few stood out as distinctively different, ludicrous and funny, forcing audience members to hold their sides trying unsuccessfully to contain laughter.

“What?” a disbelieving spectator asked, leaning forward. “That can’t be a guy.”

It was indeed hard to believe it was Regional Health Occupational Center program coordinator John Cordova decked out in a huge blond wig and shimmering red evening gown, cross dressed to portray Bette Midler singing the funky version of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” after auxiliary services staffer Sandra Streeter, English professor Kristina Allende and administrative assistant Marge Catullo sang the same song in 1940s’ Andrew Sisters’ harmony.

Cordova as Bette, pink coiffured Rondell Schroeder and platinum Grace Hanson for the B52s “Love Shack” and hip-swiveling James Abbott as Elvis Presley on “Jailhouse Rock” wore unusually high, big hair wigs. Not a strand fell out of place as they twirled, twisted and turned.

Tying for sexiest lady performers were Champion as a long- legged, wildly shaking Tina Turner, student Kaye Ponnusamy as a Spice Girl in very short shorts, and Faculty Association president/ Earth sciences professor Terri Long as cheerleader Toni Basil singing “Mickey.”

Other cheerleaders Julie Mallard, Erika Johnson, Hanson, Sandra Bollier, Allende and Julie Bray-Ali wore Bonita Bearcats, Hoover, Trojans and COHS (Charter Oak) cheer outfits, ending the number with back flips and cartwheels.

It was difficult to decide which act was the zaniest.

Cordova tipped the scale as Elton John decked out in a long, white fur coat, white top hat with silver glitter, gray bellbottoms and, of course, a pair of signature spectacles. The latter were rose- colored glasses, edged with rhinestones.

Math professors Cameron Troxell, Art Nitta, Jennifer Galbraith and Jeff Wakefield as KISS – in Spandex, wild hair and trademark makeup – provided a photo finish for most outlandish with The Village People’s McDonald, Abbott, Kurt Kemp and Larry Leach, all professors, student Isaiah Deresa and trustee David Hall.

Mt. SAC board president Manuel Baca was the king of suave as Bobby Darin singing “Mack The Knife” with students Jennifer Trujillo, Yarely Gonzalez and Yesenia Leon doing backup vocals. Former relays secretary Evelyn Lewis’ portrayal of Gloria Estefan was rhythmically enhanced by her son Danny on guitar.

Show director Joan Sholars portrayed multi-talented ladies Shirley MacLaine, Marilyn Monroe and Reba McIntire. Picking wild girls for their acts were Disabled Student Programs and Services director Hanson as Blondie’s Deborah Harry, Grimes-Hillman as Joan Jett and communications professor Liza Rios-Rietveld as Shania Twain.

“Boom, boom, boom, boom, 5, 6, 7, 8,” nursing major Huy Tran quietly mouthed as he bounced, twirled and dipped on the challenging choreography former staff member Curry Riley created for Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Riley created the most stunning number, vividly staging zombies in a rhythmically energizing mass dance. These costumes, makeup and masks stood out as the hands-down best of show. The “Rocky Horror Show” finale was also impressive.

“They don’t have anything like this at my school,” said Kai Smeed, an Art Institute student. “I loved it! It was awesome! I’m not at all disappointed.”

Equally enchanted were the Vails – father Joe, a South Coast Air Quality Management District chemist; mother Deidre, Mt. SAC biology teacher; and sons Trenton and Tyler, both Mt. SAC students.

(c) 2008 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.