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Third Annual Untalent Show Entertained All
 Ballerinas, magicians, jugglers, stand-up comics, teacher’s pets, poetry, prose and piano players all combined into a night of fun at the Third Annual Untalent Show, sponsored by the Mount Vernon UMC Drama Group.
Emceed by Kathy Ripley, the introductions went from the mundane to the sublime when she introduced a crowd favorite, Bernard Iago who reprised his 2000 hit “Cup of Consciousness.”
Nonagenarian George Shumway set the bar in the opening act with his role as the teacher to Rachel St. Martin’s pet. Those who had to follow had much to live up to (especially if they followed a kid). Unless of course, it was the baby act of Barry Colvert and Janelle Blanchette who were at least as entertaining as the Lyon kids—Ethan’s magic act and Emily’s ballet. The headless Hugh St. Martin III still managed to offer his stand-up act.
Heather Miesle accompanied herself on the guitar with Isaiah at the mike. Don knew he was outsung and offered his Star Wars trivia expertise instead. Victor Monte offered a poetry reading and Rob Reading yo-yoed and juggled for the crowd but found no one willing to volunteer for his knife-throwing segment. The crowd was treated to Ralph Mills story-telling and Cathy Ostrum’s Billy Sunday bio in addition to Betty Lynn Sprinkle’s sequined rendition of "Maple Leaf Rag."
 But the grand finale topped it all when the Lawn Chair Drill Team (led by Command Sargeant Major Bill Tapp) entertained the troops with their precision marching, their inside out uniforms and their lawn chair agility. The audience was stunned and amazed.
So stunned that many of them ran back to the dessert tables for reinforcements.
The Drama Group raised about $250 for improving lights and sound in the fellowship hall and a good time was had by all.
Sam was Slick but Dall’s a Doll
Maureen Dall stole the stage with her debut cameo in The Case of the Frozen Saints performance at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church’s winter drama production. Playing the spoils-of-success-secretary, Dall was the right mixture of mystery and charm.
Directed by Alfred (Chip) Ripley, this season’s offering provided the audience with quick-witted dialogue, slapstick and a sufficient dose of moral to the story.
Newcomers to the MVUMC stage included Brett Chappell as the taciturn Sargent Lou Tennant, Jonathon Holland as the surly janitor Fred, Si Chiarizia as the landlord, Hard Knock, and in a feature role, though obviously not her first, Rachel St. Martin as the sometimes weepy, always seductive Matilda Waltzing.
MVUMC stage regulars included Rick Shapira (Pharoah in Joseph) as Deacon Jones, Barry Colvert (too many roles to list here) as the overbearing Lieutenant Sargent, Don Miesle (Jack’s Journey, Total Church Body Workout and writer/director of Epiphany 2000) as the self-righteous Pastor Crackpot, and Tracy Batchelor (Lion’s Den, Jack’s Journey and Babs in Epiphany 2000) as the self-centered Giselle.
MVUMC regulars Victor Monti and Rob Reading handled stage management while newcomer Hugh St. Martin III was on the curtain. Sound manager Kevin Batchelor did a great job with special music from James C. Bazen that really set the mood for the entire production.
Warming up the audience for the performance was the ever-entertaining Motley Crew with some vaudevillian routines that never seem old.
I f the players weren’t entertaining enough, everyone at the event was well-fed. Kudos to the kitchen staff who provided a true blue-plate special (on real blue plates, no less) of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, baked beans, mixed vegetables, applesauce and pound cake for dessert. The serving staff costumes and gingham tablecloths added to the atmosphere of this “diner” theater.
Proceeds supported the MVUMC Vacation Bible School program .
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2006 Belle View Boulevard
Alexandria, VA 22307
Phone: (703) 765-1100
Fax: (703) 765-1101
Sunday Worship:
8:30 and 10:45 a.m.
Sunday School:
9:30 a.m.
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