The “Starry Starry 5 Keepin’ the Music Alive” entertainment revue had singers, dancers and musicians Saturday night at the Savannah Center. But Chalae Whittaker was fascinated by a magic act.
David Berrardi pulled an American flag out of a box and did a host of other tricks. “There was so much talent on that stage but I got a kick out of the magician,” Whittaker, 19, said.
You might say Whittaker’s life has undergone a magical transformation with a big assist from The Villages Dollars for Scholars.
This was the fifth “Starry” entertainment benefit and the group has raised $75,000 to help students achieve their goals. “We want to bring opportunity to these young people,” said Carol Lutgen, president and founder of the group. “Tonight was another way to raise money to help them. I’m so proud of Chalae.”
Whittaker, one of 82 local students helped by the scholarships, spoke to the nearly-filled Savannah Center before the show began. She told how a couple of years ago she was on the wrong path and keeping the wrong company.
“I knew I had to change,” Whittaker said after the show. “I had a lot of help from Dollars for Scholars and Miss Carol (Lutgen).”
A $5,000 scholarship was awarded to Whittaker. She is now a college freshman and hopes to be an occupational therapist.
“People in The Villages have been nice to me and I’ll never forget it. They helped me change my life.”
The evening was filled with extraordinary performances. Josh Leggett started it out with a rousing version of “Granada.” Leggett, handsome and magnetic on stage, displayed his vocal chops in a riveting performance.
The mood changed when Jill Marrese and John Rogerson teamed up for “Summer Nights” from “Grease.” They ran off the stage and into the audience during the song, and had everyone clapping along.
The VAMPS –Villages Allstar Master Productions – assaulted the stage like a lost band of Rockettes looking for a home. The costumed dance crew turned up the heat for a couple of numbers, “Voules Vous” and “Brazilian Babes.”
One of the most fascinating elements of the show was the way it could switch gears, from pop to opera, to chorus line to ballet. Bonnie Felicicchia and Carter Poust added elegant, ballet movements to a soft and longing dance number on “Layla.”
Dave Olsen brought back memories of Mario Lanza on “Be My Love,” and later offered one of the most haunting and emotional songs of the night on “Goin’ Home.”
Mary Jo Vitale was radiant in a tribute to Whitney Houston’s, “I Will Always Love You.” She then did a hot dance number and duet with Leggett on “Lay All Your Love On Me.”
Another show stopper was Leah Winstanley, 16, with a stunning voice and stage presence. First she teamed with her younger brother, Blake, on a comedy western take of “Anything You Can Do.”
But in the second half of the show, Winstanley brought the house down with a medley from “West Side Story.” The songs were: “There’s a Place for Us,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Tonight.” The young lady was remarkable. “It was wonderful being here tonight,” she said after the show. “It feels good to know that I can help people my age.”
Lydia Leduc also had the people rocking in their seats with a wild “Me and Bobby McGee” straight out of Janis Joplin. Leduc moved like a line-dance veteran as her long ‘60s’ hairstyle at times seemed more like “Cousin It” from the Addams family than Janis. But Leduc’s voice was golden.
Donna Gullstrand Davidson was captivating with her operatic take on “Musetta’s Waltz.” The same could be said for Jill Marrese singing from “Carmen.” The two joined forces and earned a rousing ovation for “The Flower Duet.”
Doug Skinner played rock guitar and gave an oldies flavor to “Travelin’ Man” and “Memphis.”
Vitale and Leggett closed the night with a heartfelt “Time to Say Goodbye.” Master of Ceremonies Jim Zurak summed up the feelings of the audience when he said: “God, I love this show. I can’t wait until we do it again.”
