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Members of Lasting Impressions group rehearse for their upcoming concert at Mill Race Center in Columbus, Indiana.
The Lasting Impressions performing troupe is back with a new spring production entitled “Love in the Springtime.”
Originally starting as just a tap-dancing troupe 22 years ago, the Lasting Impressions has since evolved to become a singing, dancing and drama group consisting of senior citizens, according to cast director and show producer Donna Browne. They present three productions, all built around a theme, throughout the year in the spring, around Veterans Day and around Christmas, she said.
While they usually have their spring performance in May, Browne said they are holding it in April this year. She said they initially were contacted by the Masonic Home in Franklin to do a Valentine’s Day show in February and they began rehearsing for that show much earlier than they usually do in January. However, she said that show had to be canceled due to illness.
“So here we had spent all this time rehearsing and at that time no place to take it,” Browne said. “So we just decided, ‘OK, that was going to be just about a small show, let’s just put that together and expand it and have a spring show.’ So that’s how it became ‘Love in the Springtime.’ ”
This upcoming dinner theater production will see 10 members of the Lasting Impressions troupe on stage performing over 20 popular love songs, most of which coming from well-known Broadway shows. including full cast performances of The show will feature full cast performances of songs like “Love Makes the World Go Round” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” in addition to solos, duets, all-men numbers and all-women numbers.
Browne said the songs featured touch upon all types and aspects of love, from love between friends, love between sisters, flirting and falling in love. Even love between people and pets will be included with retired IU professor John Simpson singing “More Than Just a Friend” to a pet pig, made by the group’s artistic director Geneva Foster, she said. Pianist Ed Bruenjes and percussionist Rick Thomas will also accompany the performers on the stage, and food will be provided by Sadie’s Catering.
“I’ll tell you what, and we all kind of feel this way, after the winter that we had, the snow and the rain and the winter weather that we had, we were looking forward to spring,” Browne said. “And when you think of spring, you think of love….. When I kind of open the show, one of the things I say as I greet the people (is) that ‘love is a wonderful and precious gift from God.’ It’s to be enjoyed, to be shared and to be cherished, and so we’re happy to be presenting that, having the love that we are feeling going out into our audiences and to the public.”
Tickets for “Love in the Springtime” are available at Mill Race Center, 812-376-9241. They can also be purchased by contacting Browne at 812-376-6612. Tickets include both a buffet dinner and the show. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the show.
