Red Stocking Revue Comes to Town This Week

The "legs" are on Main Street and that can mean only one thing. It's time for the 31st annual Red Stocking Revue.

The show, produced by and benefiting the Port Washington/Manhasset Chapter of CancerCare, is performed solely by volunteers. The production began more than 30 years ago and has raised more than $1.5 million for cancer patients and their families over that time.

"It's a fun show," said Barbara Faticone, the show's co-chair, who had appeared in every show since its inception. "We're not professionals. We're people who enjoy performing for a good cause."

This year's show promises to be a treat with more than 60 performers. Show director Chery Manniello said there will be two production numbers that involve the whole cast. One is set to the music of "Fame" and the other is set to "Jai Ho" — the song from the popular movie Slumdog Millionaire.

The show will be performed at Schreiber High School with performances scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. For seniors and children, tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door.

Carole Corbo, president of the local CancerCare chapter, has been tap dancing in the revue for the past 10 years. "I'm a cancer survivor," said Corbo, who is part of a dance team that will be performing to "Hot Honey Rag" from Chicago and "Mack the Knife." "It's my good mitzvah. I'm giving back. All of our money goes to people with cancer and their families. It goes to cars taking people to chemo and it helps with healthcare expenses."

Another highlight of the evening will be the show's well-known Red Stocking Kick Line, which is modeled after the Rockettes but has evolved into productions that involve advanced dancers. This year's kick line will include teenagers through adults and will feature a Michael Jackson medley, according to Manniello.

The popular Ugo Raimo, who owns Evergreen Hairstylist, has been singing in the show since its beginning more than 30 years ago. "People come back year after year to hear him," Faticone said. "He has a beautiful voice."

There will also be tap dancing numbers featuring dancers that range in age from 20-65 as well as about 20 children in this year's production. The kids under age nine will sing "Copenhagen" from Hans Christian Anderson while the older children will sing "High Hopes," a Frank Sinatra song and "Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music.

"Everyone will recognize the melodies to these songs, but all the words have been changed," Manniello said.

Faticone added that something else to look forward to are the show's popular "stage ads." "Local businesses purchase stage ads then a group of writers take existing songs and change the lyrics to be about the products in the businesses," Manniello explained. "Each one of the numbers is a 'commercial' showcasing the sponsors."

For more information or to purchase tickets to the Red Stocking Revue, call Barbara Faticone at 516-883-6693 or Carole Corbo at 516-944-9838.