It was Veterans Park’s annual Variety Show Friday, Feb. 27, and for many parents, it’s a highlight of the year.
“Hands down, it’s our family’s favorite school event all year,” said Andrea Atkins, who co-produced this year’s show and whose children, Finn and Heidi, both participated. “It is so many wonderful and important things — hard work, creativity, bravery, support, triumph, fun — all rolled into one.“
The 2015 VP Variety Show featured more than 100 third to fifth grade students in 46 acts. Each act is just a minute long and is conceived, named and presented by the kids (with occasional parental guidance). This year’s lineup included instrument, vocal and dance solos, comedy routines and clever spoofs, dance and sports numbers, and even a mini puppet show, by the ChaCha Puppeteers.
Hard work begins in early January when previews are held and weekly rehearsals begin. “To witness these acts go from inception to performance and to watch the kids — and the amazing parent volunteer team — work so hard and be so supportive of each other is just an incredible experience,” said co-producer Meredith Thrutchley.
Ms. Thrutchley, whose son Tyler was in the show, has been part of the parent crew for two years.
Most kids performing in the Veterans Park Variety Show can calm pre-performance jitters with the consolation that their act is only one minute long, but they’re still performing on a big stage in front of a standing-room-only crowd with bright lights in their eyes.
Two Veterans Park students don’t have that luxury of performing: the Variety Show Masters of Ceremony — this year they were fifth graders Sara Hansen, who hosted Act One, and Finn Atkins, who took the stage for Act Two.
The emcees had to audition and even write their own scripts.
“I watched the acts and took notes for two practices,” said Finn. “Then on a snow delay one morning, I wrote the script, and then my parents helped edit it.”
Sara said, “I practiced the script a lot and worked on how to pronounce the kids’ names properly.”
Their advice for future emcees?
“To stay calm, ask people about their last names, and have lots of fun,” said Sara.
Finn said, “Have fun with it. Don’t worry about it. You can’t really see the audience because the spotlight is so blinding.”
