The closest thing to The Beatles is coming to Voorhees to help the Voorhees Theater Company (VTC) in a fundraising celebration.
VTC is celebrating its 10th anniversary by hosting a performance by Beatlemania Now — a nationally acclaimed Beatles tribute band — at Voorhees School Theater on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 8 p.m.
The tribute band has performed at venues such as The Empire Theatre in Liverpool, England, The Wachovia Center in Philadelphia and Madison Square Garden in New York.
VTC is a non-profit organization that provides learning opportunities and theater experiences to young people. VTC participants learn about the roles of performers, technicians, managers and audience members.
One of the founding members and currently active VTC board member Robin Darrow said Beatlemania Now is a group all ages enjoy.
When her children were little, she recalled having music from “Baby Road” playing in the car. She said the collection has music from The Beatles’ album, “Abbey Road,” but turned into music more suitable for babies.
“Pretty much from birth to death, The Beatles are a part of most people’s lives. Beatlemania Now is one of those groups that is definitely at the top of their class as far as the production value, vocal qualities and authenticity,” Darrow said.
Darrow said there was no better way to celebrate VTC’s 10th year than by bringing back the tribute band.
She said the group was a “huge success” when it performed five years ago.
With approximately 950 seats in the Voorhees School Theater, Darrow said the first time the band came to town tickets were almost sold out.
Darrow said ticket sales are at the halfway point to selling out this year’s performance.
Originally, the concert was planned for October, but moved to January. The last concert was held in January and had great success.
“Things are a lot calmer [in January]. We felt overall January was a better time,” she said adding the event does not compete as much with school sports or family activities.
Ticket sales may only be at the halfway point to filling up VMS’ theater, but Darrow said most people wait to purchase tickets a week or so before the performance. She said she is not worried about a decrease in attendance from the group’s first performance.
“Will we have a great turnout? Absolutely,” said Darrow. “This is a happening right in Voorhees.
It’s rare when you can get an act of this caliber right in Voorhees. It doesn’t happen that often.”
“Ten successful years”
Darrow said the Voorhees Community Education and Recreation (CER) had a theater program 10 years ago.
When the theater program started to grow, it was recommended that the theater portion turn into a 501©3 to house the growing number of participants, she said.
“That’s when the theater company was founded,” Darrow said.
VTC continued its relationship with CER, using the theater at VMS for productions.
The summer program also falls under the CER’s program, but VTC manages the operations, she said.
“[The CER] is its own separate entity,” she said adding the VTC continually works with the organization.
When VTC began, technology was not as advanced as today, she said.
She said she remembers when VTC didn’t have a website. Now the group is able to use technology to share production dates and activities.
Expanding to a younger crowd
VTC’s cast members range from 8 to 22 years old. Darrow said the organization recently expanded to cater to a younger age group.
Little Scene Stealers workshop is designed for children ages 5 to 7.
Darrow said this workshop gives younger children a chance to be exposed to the vast elements of theater even if they are too young to be involved in a production.
“It keeps them interested in continuing to want to know more about theater and participate in the future,” she said.
The Little Scene Stealers is not the only age group VTC tries to include in productions.
VTC’s fall show, “Fiddler on the Roof,” will include anyone who wants to be a part of the production, Darrow said.
“From 8 to 88. Whoever wants to be a part of it,” she said.
For more information on VTC, production dates and more, visit www.voorheestheatre.org.
