Protected from single-digit temperatures outside, Morrison Historical Society held its Annual Meeting and Potluck Dinner on Sunday, January 17, 2016, at Morrison United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL, in the Heritage Hall. After the communal meal a short business meeting was held, and Trustees were elected.
Attendees moved to the sanctuary for “Show Tunes,” performed by the Morrison Music Theatre Association Chorus and soloists. Director and MMTA President Eric Phend was joined by 15 members: Carolyn Aiken, Mary Ellen Brackemyer, Jane James, Carol and Eric Janvrin, Jan Kelly, Kim Meyers, Bonnie Phend, Nancy Poling, Sunny Porter, Fayellen Sanetra, Katie Sedic, Rob Stone, Connie Swanson-DeSpain, and Laurie Wilkins.
John Frame was an able accompanist on piano.
MMTA produced its first musical, “Annie Get Your Gun,” in April 1962. Sunday’s program opened and closed with a sing-along number from the show: “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”
“Oklahoma” debuted in 1964. The songs from that production were “Oklahoma” and “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning.” Stone sang an introductory solo.
“Give My Regards to Broadway,” performed in1991, was also a featured song, with the rousing, “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
MMTA produced “The Sound of Music” in 1969 and 25 years later, in 1994. The earlier show was the first to be seen in the Morrison High School auditorium. Porter offered a solo to introduce “The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music.”
Two tunes from the 1974 “Fiddler on the Roof” included the poignant “Sunrise, Sunset,” Meyers lamented, “If I Were a Rich Man” in a spot-on portrayal of Tevye.
Next, the chorus sang “Give My Regards to Broadway” from the 1991 production of the same name and “Go, Go, Go, Joseph” from the 1996 “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Phend and Meyers teamed to sing “Kind Captain, I’ve Important Information” from the 2009 musical “H. M. S. Pinafore.”
Morrison Music Theatre Association Chorus members are eager to entertain at other gatherings in Morrison. Contact President Eric Phend at 815-772-8236.