Eleanor Leight variety show draws to a close

The Leight will shine on but the curtain will close on this variety show.

The Snohomish Historical Society’s 34th annual Variety Show, this year titled “Memories,” will be the last.

The show features the dancing of the Leight Fantastics and lots of other performers and musical numbers.

The variety show is a Mother’s Day tradition that got its start 33 years ago by Eleanor Leight, a former Radio City Rockette who started the local dance troupe, the Leight Fantastics.

Leight, now 90, said recently that the amount of work to put on the variety show has grown along with the cost of putting on the production.

The master of ceremonies for “Memories” is Frank Rainsberger who will guide the show’s selection of vocal numbers, dance routines and novelty skits.

Some of the highlights include a first act that starts out with favorites such as “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and other hits from “Annie Get Your Gun,” then continues with some “Beauty and the Beast,” to Jack Webb’s “Dragnet” to Flip Wilson’s “Church of What’s Happenin’ Now.” The first act concludes with pieces from “Mary Poppins.”

Act two features “All That Jazz” and “Chicago” and Dean Martin’s “Mambo Italiano.” There’s a tribute to a great scene from Rowan &Martin’s “Laugh-In” followed by some Cole Porter and moves from The Dancin’ Katz Dance Troupe. Elvis makes an appearance before the curtain closes, then it’s Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood” and the finale “God Bless America.”

Though the variety show is ending, the Leight Fantastics will be seen again, continuing to perform for the Evergreen State Fair and the annual summer festival at Snohomish Chalet.

“Memories” starts at 7 p.m. Thursday at Snohomish High School Performing Arts Center, 1316 Fifth St., Snohomish. Shows continue at 7 p.m. May 11, 2 and 7 p.m. May 12 and 2 p.m. May 13. Cost is $9.75 for adults and $7.25 for seniors and students. Call 800-838-3006 or go to www.brownpapertickets.com.

Herald staff