‘Snow on the Porch’ ushers in the New Year with talent show

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Brian Korthals/Daily Globe Cast members of “Snow on the Porch” gather onstage during rehearsal for their upcoming performance at the Memorial Auditorium and Performing Arts Center in Worthington.

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WORTHINGTON — There may be not be snow forecasted for New Year’s Eve, but “Snow on the Porch” returns Saturday for its 10th installment of the family comedy-type variety show. This year’s theme is “Norwegian’s Got Talent.”

A spin-off from the reality television series “America’s Got Talent,” this year’s production will feature more than a dozen acts ranging from “extremely good talent to some goofy talent,” said producer Margaret Vosburgh.

“The other part of the show is that the Norwegians’ families are coming over New Year’s Eve and they’re all excited because they all want to be on ‘Norwegians Got Talent,’” Vosburgh said.

Cindy Teerink, who’s played Helga since the role started in “Snow on Porch,” said she will be trying her hand at “Recipes for Success” this year. Teerink has been a part of the show since its inception.

“Helga hasn’t always had talent but she thinks she does,” Teerink explained about her role. “I don’t know what it is yet but I’m going to cook up some success.”

First-timers to “Snow on the Porch,” Maynard and Jeanene Townswick will be vying for “Norwegian’s Got Talent” with their accordion-piano duet. Behind Townswicks’ performance lies the story of how the couple met.

“I met Jeanene when I auditioned with her dad’s dance band 46 years ago,” Maynard said. “I’ve been playing the accordion for 63 years.”

“I took one look at him and that was it,” Jeanene added with a laugh.

Jeanene explained that “Skal, Skal, Skal” — one of their five tunes lined up for the audience — was the theme song for her father’s band in Albert Lea back in the day.

Each year “Snow on the Porch” attempts to include a mix of both new and former cast members, Vosburgh said, to get first-timers acquainted with the more experienced cast.

“I act a lot, but not in front of people,” said Brian Almberg, who with his wife Jodi will be judging the talent show.

“Maybe I’ll be Sharon Osbourne,” Jodi said. “I’ll have to work on my British accent.”

Producing “Snow on the Porch” during a season that is possibly the busiest one of the year relies heavily on support of local residents, Vosburgh said.

“It is remarkable that people are willing to commit to the show,” she said, noting how cast members usually meet about a week before the performance for rehearsals.

“Snow on the Porch” is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are available throughout the week at the Memorial Auditorium ticket office and also at the door on Saturday. For information, call 376-9101.

Tags: snow on the porch, new year, news, talent, show