Entertainers vocalist Ebony Millard has stepped up to direct this year’s show following the death of founder and director Patti Yates last year.
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Ebony knows she has massive shoes to fill, but said she was excited and terrified by the challenge ahead of her.
She said, after the committee failed to attract an experienced director from the community, she decided to step up with the encouragement of cast and crew.
“I am more than happy to take on the role because, along with everyone else, I am passionate about keeping the show going,” she said.
“To say I have big shoes to fill would be a massive understatement.”
Ebony said Patti had already chosen the theme, Let Us Entertain You, and picked the songs for the 2016 show.
“We were incredibly fortunate that Patti had already chosen the song list and arranged the acts,” Ebony explained.
“In a weird twist of fate she explained to the show committee before she passed that this show is a collection of all her favourite songs.
“I am so excited by the show Patti put together and incredibly enthusiastic about seeing this show come to life on stage.”
Ebony has sung with the Entertainers for the past six years and will also perform in the show.
She said was looking forward to injecting some of her own ideas to build on Patti’s foundations.
“I will be adding a bit more acting, props and movement to make it a bit more spectacular.
“It was Patti’s wish to put on a show with the wow factor – a show that not only entertained but left the crowd cheering for more.
“Patti had a penchant for big show numbers, cabaret musicals, leggy costumes and energetic stage performances so all I can say is expect nothing less.”
Ebony said Patti’s death in October last year came as a huge shock to the Entertainers family.
The show will be held at the Ulladulla ExServos from May 19 to 28, with plenty of regular faces as well as new performers set to hit the stage.
“We are welcoming back plenty of the favourite entertainers that you know and love and we are so very excited to be welcoming some new and extremely talented new additions who will simply blow you away,” Ebony added.
The band will be led by Anne Foster who is also filling some pretty hefty footwear, while the dancers will be led by Gwen Stewart-Wheeler from Tidal Dance Studio.
Elissa Skinner from the Milton Follies is helping out with vocal coaching.
Ebony said the 2016 would not be the finals curtain for the Entertainers.
“If anything it is the beginning of a new era as we all feel that the show must go on.
“This show will be a tribute to the amazingly talented and extraordinarily generous Patti Yates who put nearly 30 years into the show and helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities.
“The Entertainers is her legacy and we aim to do her proud.”
Ebony said show committee members Kristy Taylor, Rebecca Colley, Elissa Skinner and Jane Quinn were helping bring the show together.
The call has gone out for community groups to apply for funding donations from this year’s show.
Groups should send submissions to PO Box 994 by Friday March 16.