Sun City Idols Shooting For Another Sellout

Autumn officially begins this weekend, but not before several Sun City singers and dancers expel the last of their summer energy at the third annual Sun City Idols Encore show at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept 23, and Saturday, Sept. 24, in the Drendel Ballroom of the Prairie Lodge.

“It is a very upbeat, fast-paced” show, said Marsha Kapchinski, who serves as the show’s producer/director and performs as well. “All of us are all over 60, and we’re backing there panting away to get through the last of the show.”

Unlike last year when the Idols Encore staged two different shows, this weekend’s production is the only one the group will offer and marks the first time that Idol vocalists are mixed in dancers. The no-intermission, nearly two-hour performance features a 1950s and ’60s theme and is open to non-Sun City residents.

“The first two-thirds of the show is variety,” Kapchinski said. “There will be show tunes, there will be variety, there will country, and there will be pop — current and old songs. Then the last third of the show is dedicated to the ’50s and ’60s.”

Overall, there are 32 numbers in the show that is expected to sell out, mirroring previous years including 2010 when a waiting list was compiled after every ticket was sold. Heading into the final week of rehearsals, Kapchinski said a small amount of tickets are available for Friday with demand for Saturday tickets expected to increase throughout the week.

“We make this a real big gala for the community,” said Kapchinski, adding that every ticket taker and usher wears an evening gown or tuxedo. “From the moment people walk in the door, they’re greeted by someone who is dressed in evening wear and then we put on a full show.”

Among those performing at Idols Encore 2011 are the Idols Rockettes, singer and model Karen Landis, and Harriette Blake, a professional singer who sang with Dean Martin, Bob Hope and George Burns. 

Kapchinski estimates the average age among Idol performers is 70, though to the enthusiastic cast, there is no reason to stray from a longtime show-biz tradition.

“We still say, ‘Break a leg,’ ” Kapchinski said. “As a matter of fact, believe it or not, I’m nursing a broken toe that I suffered (in rehearsals) about a week ago. Hopefully it’ll be OK for the show.”

Kapchinski also said that the greatest challenge to staging such a show isn’t age-related.

“Everyone thinks that once you retire you have all the time in the world, but to get rehearsal (times) for everybody is just like pulling teeth,” said Kapchinski, who has served as Idols’ producer and director from the start and whose current cast includes members of Sun City’s theater, tap and vocal groups. “Everybody is so busy out here. There’s no stopping. But it’s like we’ve always said, ‘If you’re bored out here in Sun City, than you’re boring’ because there is something to do for everyone.”

Tickets are $14 in advance, $19 at the door.