Review: SONGS, SCENES & STORIES: 40 YEARS OF OCTA Benefits the Olathe Civic Theater Association

Songs, Scenes & Stories: 40 Years of OCTA opened on Friday night October 3 at the Olathe Civic Theatre Association in Olathe, Kan. Written and compiled by Shelly Stewart Banks, Rebekah Grieb, and Peter Leondedis the program celebrates the 40th birthday of the theatrical company.

Directed by Grieb and hosted by Banks the event that runs through Sunday October 5 includes several songs from past shows at the theater. Michelle Allen McIntire provides the musical direction accompanying musicians Wen Zhang and Andy Massey. Banks presents the performers first in auditions and later with their thoughts and memories of OCTA. She is very humorous with the introductions and facial expressions and body language that plays off the action presented by the cast. Leondedis adds to the humor with monologues from previous shows and one very humorous piece he wrote himself.

"The Little Things You Do Together" from Company and produced in the 2013-2014 season opened the benefit performance. The ensemble joined Erica Baruth and Vicky DeLaughder on stage for that number. Kelsie Clark followed with a powerful rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz. Carrie Lenahan was delightful as she introduced the audience to "Old Maid" from 110 in the Shade that was produced at OCTA in the 2008-2009 season.

Laura Roose and Michael Bunn performed a comical rendering of "My New Philosophy" from You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. Two songs later, they joined with the ensemble for one of the best songs of the night, "Money" from Cabaret.

Wonderful solo performances by Michael Bunn with "I'm Not That Smart" from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and James Levy singing "She Cries" from Songs for a New World were presented in the second act. Baruth demonstrated the beauty and power of her voice as she closed out "The Impossible Dream" from The Man of La Mancha.

The benefit performance ended with the cast performing "Done" from The Musical of Musicals (The Musical) and the results of the silent auction that ran through the intermission. Saturday night's performance will include a second silent auction and light hors d'oeuvres and wine beginning at 7 p.m. Photo by Steve Wilson.

Purchase tickets at the Olathe Civic Theatre Association website. Songs, Scenes & Stories: 40 Years of OCTA runs Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Photo courtesy of Olathe Civic Theatre Association.