Some of the world’s biggest stars will be visiting Nelsonville this weekend… sort of.
A Night with the Legends returns to Stuart’s Opera House for its sixth year on Saturday. The show features Athens and Nelsonville locals paying tribute to some of music’s biggest stars. Past shows have seen the talents of those impersonating Elvis Presley, the Blues Brothers and Madonna. This year’s lineup includes acts paying tribute to Tina Turner, ABBA, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, The Pointer Sisters and more.
“I’ve been doing (the show) since it started,” said Joann Wolf, a Legends performer. “I like performing at Stuart’s; it’s a wonderful venue. … I don’t know how to describe it. It’s really cool. It’s different than anything else I’ve ever done.”
This year Wolf will perform as Joan Jett and Melissa Etheridge and is set to reprise her performance as Jennifer Holliday after she “won” last year. But in this competition, winning doesn’t mean earning a trophy. Winning instead means bringing in the most money in donations for the opera house.
“We find sponsors who sponsor an artist so that people can vote for their favorite artist with money and the sponsors will match what people put in and the person who earns the most comes back the next year,” said Carol Ault, director and co-organizer of the show.
Ault said the show brings in $20,000 to $25,000 each year for the opera house, making it the house’s largest annual fundraiser.
Alex Couladis, co-organizer of the show, said tickets have sold the fastest this year andare nearly sold out.
“We have a group of very talented people in the area who are so generous to give up their time and talent year after year (for free)… and the people keep coming back each year,” Ault said. “That’s what helps keep the doors open. The community comes together to keep the opera house running.”
Couladis organized the event with Ault in 2008 and has also been featured each year as a performer, with notable performances as Elvis and Vanilla Ice. This year, Couladis will perform as Lionel Ritchie, James Taylor, Engelbert Humperdinck and a member of The Temptations.
“The Temptations were my favorite group in high school,” Couladis said. “I sang those songs in high school and now, 40 years later, I’m performing them.”
The show is not a karaoke event. A live band is on stage with the performers, which Ault said improves the production value, making it more of a variety show.
“You can look like Dolly Parton but if you can’t sing, then it won’t work,” Wolf said. “You have to have quality and talent. … It’s all about the performance.”
mg986611@ohiou.edu
What: A Night with the Legends
When: 7 p.m., Saturday
Where: Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville
Admission: $7 Adults; $5 Youth (to 16)
