The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE—Special Theatrical Artists Revue & Showcase (STARS) performed “Peace, Love & Rock ‘n’ Roll,” its second variety show of its 26th performance season on Sun., Sept. 25.
The show was held in Covington at the Good News Church on Main where 106 people purchased tickets.
The troupe of 30 performers, who face intellectual challenges or have physical disabilities, was founded by Appalfolks of America Association (AAA) in 1996 at the Historic Stonewall Theatre in Clifton Forge as an outreach program.
Paula Crance, an AAA board member, and Sonya Romanello co-direct STARS which has grown from the troupe’s 10 original members to 30. Twenty-six performed in the show.
The show got underway with the troupe singing “Imagine,” and it ended with STARS singing as a group, “We Are the World,” while each member displayed a transparent globe the size of a basketball.
After the first number, Kevin Burton sang “Life Is a Highway,” and Sarah Brady performed “Ancient Gates.”
Shane Fury sang “Simple Man,” and Lynn Johnson performed “Dance with My Father.”
“The Nearest Thing to Heaven,” followed with Jamie Adkins as the vocalist, and Ryan Hammond sang “Sweet City Woman.”
Wendy Anderson sang “A Picture of Me Without You,” and Ricky McCoy followed with “Freedom Was a Highway.”
Mikayla Davis sang “Scars to Your Beautiful,” and Eddie Lewis performed, “Lord, I Need You.”
The first half ended after three more songs: Tamara Caldwell’s rendition of “Why Not Me,” Avery Smithers singing “Beautiful Crazy” and Bonnie Crance performing “My Boyfriend’s Back.”
After intermission, Chris Fisher, the emcee, joined Crance and Romanello to present Pastor Steve Noel with the 2022 Reaching for the STARS Award for Good News Church on Main that AAA awards annually for outstanding support of STARS. Fisher was the 2021 recipient.
Following the award presentation, the group sang “Jump,” and George Thompson followed with his rendition of “Hello Dolly.”
Makaylen Berry sang “Lean on Me,” and Kevin Stec presented his rendition of “Sweet Caroline.”
Nancy Wilmore followed with “Old Time Rock and Roll,” and Lee Cahill sang “Way Maker.”
“Here I Am to Worship” was Ryan Jeter’s selection, and Amber Uzzell sang “Temporary Home.”
Joseph Cunningham sang next, and “What the World Needs Now” was presented by “Ruth Golden.”
Donovan Givens presented his rendition of “Feelin’ It,” and Todd Bates sang “Till You Can’t” before Tyreek Yancey let the group on stage by singing “Heal the World.”
Fisher announced that the final STARS’ show of its 26th performance season will be its Christmas show on Sun., Dec. 4, at 3:00 p.m. at the Good News Fellowship Church on Main and bid the audience to drive home safely.
