EVERETT — The Historic Everett Theatre will get a blast from the past this spring. Or at least the spirit of the past in the form of the vaudeville-esque variety show “Letters From Home,” which recently announced that its official Washington tour stop will be in Everett on April 14.
The show is inspired by the USO, a group founded in 1941 to entertain members of the U.S. military. Through singing, dancing and comedy, performers Erinn Dearth and Dan Beckmann hope to reach veterans and active military members, as well as their families.
The show has two acts, one in the style of entertainment in the ’40s and ’50s, and the other a more theatrical style featuring Vietnam War-era music.
Dearth founded the show in 2010 after her father, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, came up with the idea. Beckmann, a professional photographer, joined her in 2018.
“And the rest is history,” Beckmann said. “I just never left.”
Beckmann and Dearth are now engaged.
The Washington leg of the tour is part of an ambitious tour schedule. “Letters From Home” is touring all 50 states this year between January and May. Their tour blog documents their travels. Beckmann is also directing a documentary about the tour.
Footsteps Researchers, a team that pieces together the histories of World War II veterans, is among the tour’s sponsors.
The Historic Everett Theatre, originally an opera house, was built in 1901. Curt Shriner, manager of the theater, said as a veteran himself, he tries to bring in as many shows aimed at veterans as he can.
“I like to support my guys,” Shriner said.
Tickets are $20, but Dearth invites veterans who need a free ticket to email her directly to have a ticket set aside.
Sophia Gates: 425-339-3035; sophia.gates@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @SophiaSGates.
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