Saturday, Mar. 27, 2010
A patriotic season finale for Community Concert
Community Concert closed its 61st season with “War Bonds,” which offered theatrical renditions of World War II songs and historical highlights from a memorable era.
Veterans of war and conflicts dotted the Saenger audience, many with war brides by their sides.
They heard familiar radio sound bites, heartfelt letters from lovers and a musical stroll down Memory Lane.
This part of the program included “The Last Time I Saw Paris,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “This is the Army, Mr. Jones,” “Accentuate the Positive,” “Sentimental Journey” and “As Times Go By,” among others.
Actress Serena Ebhardt demonstrated strong acting skills and a fluent vocal range best emphasized by her dramatic rendition of “Lilli Marlene,” a pleasing take-off of the 1940s icon Marlene Dietrich.
Ebhardt’s interpretation of Rosie the Riveter clearly showcased her trained, theatrical background and working knowledge of stage movement.
Her husband, actor Daniel von Brunnen, was best featured in a light, flirtatious scene with unsuspecting audience member Betty Gamez, whom he selected at random.
Concert patrons came dressed in red, white and blue and some in period attire.
Board member Jim Stok drew double takes in his B-29 fighter-pilot uniform, Sandy Skipper arrived in a national Waves uniform and board member Margaret Justice was in all-American red with a sequined military hat.
In opening ceremonies, vocalist Chris Moore sang an American medley following the presentation of colors by Biloxi High School Junior ROTC students Richard Mauce, Donald Beaugez, Allegra Misseldine and Alegardro Castillo, under the direction of Lt. Col. (Ret.) Joseph Nastasi.
Nastasi led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, along with concert president Keith Ballard.
— Emily Germanis
