Young Players host Valentine’s fundraiser

By Phil Cobb | February 15, 2016 |

JESSICA ALLEN/DAILY FORUM
The entire cast of “An Enchanting Evening: That’s Amore!” kicks off the show by singing “Corner of the Sky” from “Pippin.” The performers spent six weeks rehearsing and preparing for the Maryville Young Players’ annual fundraiser.

Area residents looking for a romantic Valentine’s night out this weekend had to travel no farther than St. Gregory’s School.

The Maryville Young Players hosted their second annual Valentine’s Day weekend fundraiser, “An Enchanting Evening: That’s Amore!” at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the school’s gymnasium.

Directed by Vanessa Parsons, co-founder of MYP, the event featured an Italian dinner buffet catered by HyVee, desserts, a cash bar, and a variety of classic love songs from popular stage and screen productions such as “White Christmas,” “Sunset Boulevard,” “Hercules,” and “The Music Man.”

The cast was accompanied by Larry Mannasmith and Richard Boettner.

“We started the fundraiser a few years ago with just a dessert event,” said Parsons. “Then HyVee approached us last year and asked us if we’d be interested in moving to more of a dinner event.”

This year, HyVee also matched any additional donations or tips given to MYP at the event.

“We liked the idea of giving people dinner and a show here in town so they don’t have to travel and can keep their money local, as well as support our Young Players through the summer,” said Parsons.

“That’s Amore!” is MYP’s largest fundraiser and all of the proceeds will go toward the theater’s production of “Peter Pan Junior” this summer, when the youth theater program will celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Maryville Young Players has grown significantly since its inception, and with a growing number of participants comes a growing cost.

Last summer, MYP boasted 168 youth participating in two shows, an endeavor which naturally necessitated a good amount of funding. For this year’s show, MYP will require additional funding because of the equipment needed for “Peter Pan” such as flight rigging.

Friday’s show featured around 20 performers, including past and current MYP performers as well as parents, staff, and friends.

“We had a couple of kids that are still involved with the Young Players, but most are alumni who have aged out,” said Parsons. “We have everyone from a fifth grader up to moms and dads.”

The event was truly a family affair, as Parson’s husband Tye sang a duet of “Together Wherever We Go” from “Gypsy” with his daughter Lucy, a current MYP performer.

The fundraiser also featured dinner music provided by Dr. Bill Richardson and the Jazz Combo from Northwest Missouri State University.

Parsons said she was very pleased with the event’s turnout and hopes to make it a yearly tradition.

JESSICA ALLEN/DAILY FORUM
Dr. Bill Richardson and the Jazz Combo from Northwest Missouri State University play dinner music while attendees enjoy an Italian buffet catered by HyVee. From left, the combo includes Benoit Gauthier, Daniel Bates, Chris Collins, Nick Ubben, and Richardson.