At the end of a rousing performance of the song “You Are Holy,” Faith Fitch (left) and Angelina Nesterenko end with a high-five. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

At the end of a rousing performance of the song “You Are Holy,” Faith Fitch (left) and Angelina Nesterenko end with a high-five. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

Adults with special needs are All Aboard talent show’s stars

A larger meeting place is on the wish list for agency that offers activities and builds friendships.

Song and dance, card tricks and comedy, storybook tales brought to life, it all came together in a vaudeville show called “Way Off Broadway.”

The performers — some in wheelchairs, some who used their hands or vocal sounds instead of words — brought down the house and evoked tears in an appreciative audience.

Wednesday night’s talent show was staged by All Aboard. The Everett-based nonprofit provides social and educational activities for adults with special needs.

“Performing is good for everybody’s self-esteem,” said Seanna Herring-Jensen, All Aboard’s program manager.

With a motto of “the sky’s the limit,” about 25 people each weekday meet in the lower level of the Knights of Columbus hall on W. Marine View Drive. There are classes in art, drama, science and yoga; life-skills sessions, karaoke sing-alongs, and show-and-tell. On Tuesday mornings, the group bowls at Bowlero in Lynnwood.

“Overall, we have about 350 people,” said Marie Waller, a board member with the nonprofit who with her late husband, Gene Rogoway, helped start All Aboard in 2002. “It’s fun to do this,” Waller said of the talent show.

For Waller, an extra-special part of the show was a performance of the feel-good anthem “I Believe I Can Fly,” by her son, Mike Rogoway, and Aaron Radabaugh.

Calling their duo the American Crooner & the Corkscrew Kid — one wearing a shirt and tie, the other in wildly colored tie-dye — Rogoway and Radabaugh were the last act before Herring-Jensen and other All Aboard staff had everybody up and dancing with their wacky rendition of the Go-Gos’ “We Got the Beat.”

Raucous rock and pop performances were interspersed with poignant songs and bits of comedy and melodrama.

Calling themselves the Bravest Kids in Town, a troupe of players acted out scenes from “The Three Little Pigs” and “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” as All Aboard art and music teacher Shannon Leah Danks read the stories.

Like a clip from an action movie, bandit Edward Barnhart, in prison-garb stripes, was chased down by Sam Lu. Dressed as a snappy policeman, Lu went on to sing “Bad Boys,” the theme song for the TV show “Cops.” At All Aboard, Herring-Jensen said, Barnhart is an all-around good guy, helping with bingo and acting as the organization’s disc jockey.

Mike Rogoway steals the show with his performance of “I Believe I Can Fly,” a duet with Aaron Radabaugh at the All Aboard talent show, called “Way Off Broadway.” (Dan Bates / The Herald)

Mike Rogoway steals the show with his performance of “I Believe I Can Fly,” a duet with Aaron Radabaugh at the All Aboard talent show, called “Way Off Broadway.” (Dan Bates / The Herald)

There were sweet songs and touching moments, among them a solo by Beth Anderson. Billed as the Divine Songbird, she bravely performed “Bring Him Home,” a plaintive tune from the musical Les Misérables.

The show, directed by Heidi Heimarck and Heather Wandler, was supported by donations from the Nysether Family Foundation and Brent’s Fund for Disabilities and a grant from Everett’s Cultural Arts Commission. Proceeds from a silent auction during intermission were to be used for art supplies.

All Aboard has all kinds of needs, including donations to help pay fees — $19 per session or $10 for bowling — for people attending its programs. The greatest need is a bigger meeting place.

“We rent the downstairs” of the Knights of Columbus building, said Herring-Jensen. “We’re bursting at the seams. We’re looking for a larger space, and want to stay in Everett.”

Waller agreed. “Most definitely, people are waiting to come in. We’re really at capacity,” she said. Waller added that All Aboard outgrew a previous space on Broadway in Everett several years back.

Emily Martinek (nearest right) reads her lines as she plays the troll in “The Three Billy Boats Gruff” Wednesday at the Knights of Columbus hall in Everett. Nick Butler, playing the biggest goat, approaches the bridge at left. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

Emily Martinek (nearest right) reads her lines as she plays the troll in “The Three Billy Boats Gruff” Wednesday at the Knights of Columbus hall in Everett. Nick Butler, playing the biggest goat, approaches the bridge at left. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

With two other board members, Kathy Burke and Renee Jones, Waller got in on the act. The trio, part of the organization’s seven-member board, marched to the buzz of a kazoo and sang “hurrah, hurrah” in an adaptation of the kids’ song “The Ants Go Marching.”

Before the show, Burke talked about how valuable All Aboard has been for her son, Andy Burke, now 31. “He’s been in the program 10 or 11 years,” she said. After finishing special education in school, All Aboard became a new place for him to find friends and purpose, Burke said.

When Andy first joined the group, his mother said, he’d sit in a chair by the door. “All of a sudden, he was helping with art supplies and projects,” Burke said. He later became a storyteller with the group, she said.

Edward Barhart, as Eduardo the Worst Magician in the World, performs card tricks with guests at the All Aboard talent show Wednesday. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

Edward Barhart, as Eduardo the Worst Magician in the World, performs card tricks with guests at the All Aboard talent show Wednesday. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

Helena Springer’s Wednesday night performance was a patriotic crowd-pleaser.

Wearing a Statue of Liberty headdress and sitting in a wheelchair, Springer waved a red paper torch and sang “This Land Is Your Land.” Small American flags were handed out for the audience to wave during her song. And Woody Guthrie’s lyrics emphasized the evening’s message — inclusion for all.

Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; jmuhlstein@heraldnet.com.

Learn more

All Aboard, a nonprofit serving adults with special needs, meets weekdays 9 a.m.-noon and 12:30-3:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Knights of Columbus building, 2913 W. Marine View Drive, Everett. On Tuesdays, 9:45 a.m.-noon, the group meets at Bowlero Lanes, 1222 164th St. SW, Lynnwood. Weekday sessions are $19 each; bowling $10.

All Aboard is seeking a larger meeting place.

Information: 425-327-5533 or www.allaboardwa.org

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.