The Lake Country Playhouse Annex is a utilitarian space. The small stage is surrounded by the accoutrements of a playhouse between productions. Last Tuesday, the annex was transformed to serve as an audition stage for local talent. 

Performers were auditioning for a slot at the inaugural Lake Country Playhouse Variety Show, which is scheduled for Saturday, April 25. There are presently two auditions, with the second audition this Thursday at 7 p.m.

The Variety Show is the idea of Lake Country Playhouse manager George Jones. As Mineola has come to know, Jones is continually searching for means to both promote the arts and leverage the historic theater for the betterment of the community.  

He has empowered local singer and songwriter Amye Cox to launch the first of what is hoped to be many variety shows at the Lake Country Playhouse.

Last Tuesday, Cox, her mother Nelda and Wood County arts proponent Tom Rice were at the Annex to lend an ear to hopeful entertainers.  The session was jam-packed with excellent music. 

Deborah Gardner and James Mowis came up from Frankston to offer their blend of gospel and country music. They opened with a country tune in which James sang, “I’m going to wear the pants,” and Deborah sang in response, “I’ll tell you which pair to wear.”

They followed that up with a short gospel piece. Deborah commanded the performance with her voice and was accompanied by James on the guitar. It was a great start to the evening.

Alex Reyes followed that act with a rousing rendition of a tune which ended with the line, “with amazing grace, an amazing place I came to be … amazing grace is what I needed!”  

This was backed up with a pop classic from 1974: the Drifters’  “Save the Last Dance For Me.”

A veteran of the area music circuit, Dale Floyd performed next.

“I play gigs here and there,” he offered with a smile, “mostly in Emory and up in Winnsboro.”

Floyd offers classic rock and modern country. He began his set with Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain.” With toes tapping and heads nodding at the annex, he then followed that up with Ernest’s “Flower Shop.”

Dennis Brown broke with the trend and took the stage with no accompaniment. He offered just his voice.

He explained, “I’m a singer, it’s just my passion.”

When asked if he still played with his stage band, Brown responded, “I gave that up for a while, so I could focus on being a dad.”  

His admission drew nods of approval in the room.

Brown belted out two songs with passion, and had a brief discussion with planners about keys, rehearsals, and adapting to a house band.

The final performer to take the stage last Tuesday was professional musician Sully Sullivan. Sullivan opened with Bob Seger’s “Night Moves,” then rendered the Bellamy Brothers “Do You Love as Good as You Look,” and finished with the Scooby-Doo theme song.  

The Scooby-Do theme song was a big winner at the annex. It was also a perfect lead-in to Cox’s description of the Variety Show.  

“How would I describe the event?” She considered, then answered with, “Laughter, fun, happy, easy!”

She described a two-hour show designed to bring local talent to the stage.

“And we are not just talking about musicians,” she said. “We would like to have comedy acts, dancing, storytelling, poetry-reading… a true talent/variety show.”  

Cox also explained that there is no minimum age.

“This is a family show,” she confirmed. “Youngsters are welcome to attend and, of course, perform. We want to feature all the arts.”

Tom Rice, also seated at the judges’ table, explained that it was their hope to give up-and- coming local artists a venue to launch their careers. Rice has been very active at open-microphone nights up in Winnsboro and recognizes the value of giving young artists such an opportunity. 

Cox, who studied under John DeFoore’s tutelage for years and is a Piney Woods Pickin’ Parlor veteran, has hopes of resurrecting an arts venue similar to the Pickin’ Parlor.

“It would be a great way to honor the late John DeFoore,” she said.

Residents have longed for the old Pickin’ Parlor and the local talent it nurtured. Bringing DeFoore’s legacy to life – and someday a new Pickin’ Parlor – might just begin with the Variety Night on a Saturday night in April at the Lake Country Playhouse. 

If you have a talent, auditions continue Thursday, Marcfh 12, at 7 p.m. at the annex.