Cast gears up for ‘Corn off the Cob’

• Corn's cast

The cast and crew of “Corn Off the Cob 16,” which opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday. (Justine Wettschreck/Daily Globe)
• Piano rehearsal

Amelia Berger discusses a song with piano player Diane Duitsman during a “Corn Off the Cob 16” rehearsal Thursday. (Justine Wettschreck/Daily Globe)

Talk about it

WORTHINGTON — Tired of the hustle and bustle of modern life? Yearning for a bit of nostalgia? If so, Margaret Hurlbut Vosburgh and the cast and crew of “Corn Off the Cob 16” have a treat for you.

“Drive-Ins, Car Hops and Cafés” is the theme of this year’s show, with tributes to the old A&W Drive In, Fred’s Café and the Gay Drive-In Theatre.

“This is our season kickoff and an annual fundraiser,” Vosburgh said. “Everyone should come and see their moms, dads, grandparents and neighbors on stage.”

The cast and crew have been practicing for several weeks and are excited about their upcoming performances. The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, with a second show at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4.

Amelia Berger, a college student from Worthington, plays a character “Marge,” who is feeling cooped up at the restaurant.

“I’m trying to get out and enjoy things, like the drive-in, prom, sock hops,” Berger said.

Berger has been on stage numerous times, but this is her first time joining the “Corn” crew.

“It has been a lot of fun,” she stated.

Bob Petrich has been part of “Corn Off the Cob for 14 of the 16 years, and enjoys it every time.

“There is a lot of home-grown talent here,” he said. “It is a real community effort.”

This year he will sing a Pat Boone number, “April Love,” but there have been times in the past he has done things he didn’t know he could do.

“We did a number to ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ one year,” he laughed. “I had to take dance lessons with Kay Prunty.”

This will be Eldon Larson’s second appearance as a “Corn” member. The Fulda native has also done three rounds of the “Gone Country” show. He is enjoying this year’s nostalgic theme and adds to it by performing a couple of Elvis Presley tunes — “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Love Me Tender” — and doing an Everly Brothers duet.

Bruce Dysthe of Beaver Creek spends most of his days singing music from the 1930s and 1940s, gospel and classic country at senior care facilities and veterans homes to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. In keeping with the “Corn” theme, he’ll sing a song by Ricky Nelson and one by Doris Day.

“It’s good to be a little bit nervous,” Petrich commented when asked about the cast’s readiness. “The adrenaline starts to flow, and it gives you an edge.”

With a cast and crew of about 15, the show promises to be filled with laughter, music and talent. Tickets are available at the Memorial Auditorium ticket office or by calling (507) 376-9101. Vosbergh said tickets will also be available at the door if the show is not sold out.

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