Calling all veterans and all guests of veterans! The Mt. Carmel Elks Club will honor all veterans and guests of veterans with free tickets to attend the upcoming performance of SALUTE TO VETERANS: A Tribute to Bob Hope & America’s Heroes at 7:30 on Thursday, November 2 at Wabash Valley College.
Veterans and guests of veterans are invited to a reception in the theatre lobby from 6:00 to 7:30.
Before the performance there will also be a gallery opening of a pottery exhibit by the renowned New Harmony, Indiana, artist Tony Treadway.
For decades, Bob Hope and Veteran Tribute Shows went together like peanut butter and jelly. Now, those with fond memories of the celebrated comedian will have the chance to relive the experience, and those too young to remember just how revered an entertainer the inimitable Hope was, will get an opportunity for an introduction.
This early television-style USO review was written by the show’s director, Chuck Carson. Carson created this production as an homage to Hope and to honor our veterans.
The legendary Hope began entertaining troops in WWII and continued in Korea, Vietnam, and beyond. Starring as Hope will be Lynn Roberts. Carson first met Roberts while producing a USO-type show honoring Veterans of California.
“He was amazing,” Carson says of Roberts as Hope. “It was like being there with Hope. He’s beyond being an impersonator. He’s an actor who assumes the persona of the celebrity.”
Kelly Hope, son of the legendary performer, saw Lynn for the first time in an Arizona engagement and stated to the audience, “Gee, it was great seeing my Dad on stage again.”
Also appearing on stage will be some of Bob Hope friends … Crazy Guggenheim, Red Skelton and WC Fields.
Making a guest vocal appearance in the production will be Sue Schriber along with accompanist Terry Becker.
Tickets are $10.00 and may be reserved by calling 263-5124. Patron Passes will be honored. Tickets honoring veterans, and the guests of veterans, will be available at the door.
