Smoot Theatre kicks off season with alley party, 400 attend
By DAVE PAYNE Sr., dpayne@newsandsentinel.com.Article Photos
PARKERSBURG - Around 400 people attended the Smooth Theatre's annual season kick-off party Saturday.
This is the fifth year the Smoot has started its new season with the Party in the Alley. This year, however, it was held inside the parking garage on Juliana Street, which was decorated as a Las Vegas casino, although without gambling or air conditioning.
"We didn't know if it was going to rain or not," said Smoot director Felice Jorgeson. "We had to make a decision by 8 a.m."
The Smoot's season runs from September to April 2009 with a variety of music and stage programs, some aimed at children, some at adults and some for everyone.
"It is like a television network's season, only we don't have re-runs," she said, jokingly.
Among those enjoying themselves Saturday were Ritchie County residents Josh and Mary Greene. The couple, married for more than 55 years, came to dance. And dance they did. Entertainment at the alley party was local Elvis Presley tribute artist Dwight Icenhower's portrayal of The King in sequined bell-bottom jumpsuit.
Also enjoying the festivities was attendee Charles Slade.
"This is a great thing for Parkersburg. There needs to be more things like this for people to do," he said.
Parkersburg/Wood County Convention and Visitors Bureau president Steve Nicely, a volunteer at the event, said the Smoot fills a valuable role in the community.
"My wife and I are Smoot volunteers, we love coming to the shows. People can see shows at the Smoot for a fraction of what it would cost to see the same show in Columbus or Charleston and they don't have to drive," he said.
Immediately following the alley party, participants moved indoors for the Smoot's first show of the season, "A Tribute to Ol' Blue Eyes, Ol' Red Eyes and Ol' One Eye," a Rat Pack tribute act with Joe Scalissi as Dean Martin, Jack D'Amico as Frank Sinatra and Dezhon Fields as Sammy Davis Jr.
