(This entry was written by Sonya Sigler)
The final shows for the 2012 Chickens' Ball are this weekend at 8 pm - April 26-28th.
What is a Chickens' Ball, you ask? The San Carlos Chickens' Ball features great performers from different generations in San Carlos that get together to build community spirit and support public education in San Carlos. Some performers have been in the show for decades, while others are first time participants. Often, parents and their adult children work together.
Carrying on a Grand Tradition
In 1939, San Carlos teacher Howard Demeke had the idea to bring members of the community together to raise a little “milk money” for the school children. He rallied the community and started a friendly “skit” competition. 73 years later, the Chickens’ Ball is the oldest PTA fundraiser in the country and one of the longest continuously running shows of all time. This bawdy raucous and sometimes risqué community tradition raises money for the seven public schools in San Carlos. Funds raised this year will go towards supporting the performing arts.
The Chicken's Ball has a long and established tradition of bringing together top local talent to work together to support our kids. Not only are the performers local, but the set construction, set painting, hand sewn costumes and props, writing of the skits and choreography are all done by local volunteer talent, often spanning generations.
Multi-generation performers, cast and crew include:
- Bob & Cathy Bensi, with daughter Danielle Bensi Barringer
- Ron & Libby Utecht with daughter Kelly and son-in-law Fernando Bravo
- Ricki Smith and daughter Lindsey Smith
- Ron De Lora and daughter Karen De Lora
- Jan Prodger and daughter Lory Najac
- Kathy Reite and daughter Mary Reite Nelson
- Steve and Caroline Beckwith and their son, Lyle Beckwith
- Dorine Hummel and daughter Kathy and son-in-law Tim Smallman
- Sunny & Brian Kottmeier and son Casey Kottmeier
- Angie Dillon and son Brandon Dillon
Second Generation performers, cast and crew include:
- Doug Boostrom Jr. (his parents, Carmen & Doug Boostrom Sr. used to perform and work on stage construction)
- Jan Crawford Huss and her brother Jimi Crawford (their parents, Don & Lee Crawford, used to perform)
- Cindy Cox (Her parents , Betty & Wiff Cox, used to perform and produce the show)
- Alan & Vicci Mueller (his mother, Annabelle Mueller, used to perform)
- Laura Teutschel, (her mother, Linda Teutschel, used to work behind the scenes)
Some of the performers have been at it for over half a decade and show no signs of quitting. Sue Court has been performing in the show since 1960 and Bob Bensi since 1962. If you've never seen the Chicken's Ball, this year's production Belle's of the Barbary Coast, gives you a chance to see your fellow parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors as you've never seen them before.
Shows are April 20-22, 26-28. Tickets are available for performances this weekend at Central Middle School in San Carlos, or online at www.chickensball.org.
For more information on the San Carlos Chickens' Ball, please see chickensball.org or contact Sonya Sigler at (650)281-8325.
