Vaudeville Comes To Ramona:
Local Talent Search for Performing Artists
by Jim Evans

Ramona residents are used to driving to San Diego, Escondido, Poway, La Jolla and other out-of-town venues to see top-flight entertainment. Well, now they can save on gas (even before it reaches $3 a gallon) and enjoy the "home-grown" talent of local performing artists in their own backyard. No, we’re not talking about a neighborhood hoedown or karaoke — we’re talking about 30’s and 40’s vintage singing, dancing, comedy, and entertainment. The real thing.

Yes, now "Ramonites, Ramonians, or Ramonans" — whatever we call ourselves — can relive the Golden Era of entertainment with skits from the Bickersons, Abbott & Costello, Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball, Red Skelton, Al Jolson, the Andrews Sisters, Chicago, and All That Jazz at the Ramona Mainstage Theatre performed by local artists. These aren’t just local "wannabes" masquerading as artists either — they are genuinely talented people who have responded to the opportunity to perform at the local level and remind us of the wealth of entertainment talent in our community.

Auditions are being held for the upcoming Vaudeville Review, and local performing artists are encouraged to contact Cheryl Day at 760-789-7008. Comedy acts, singers, dancers (tap or swing), magic acts, jugglers, theatrical skits, musicians, and other specialty acts are welcome to try out.

Ramona Mainstage Theatre has provided the venue to help establish our own cultural identity in the performing arts, and local artists can entertain us with the best of them. Exciting, isn’t it?