Out of the Woodwork breaks up winter in song

• Watch for a colorful, talented cast of residents, neighbors and friends who challenge themselves to break away from the routine
By Michael de Moura
Special to the Homer Tribune

Photo provided - Out of the Woodwork performers are meant to be an audience’s surprise of appearances from friends and neighbors in the community. Here, the cast from last year includes known and unknown favorites.

Out of the Woodwork, premiered in 2011, has undergone some serious changes since World Café Homer with a new artistic director and new acts from the Middle East all the way to Kachemak Bay to make the show more diverse and more fun.
Sally Oberstein, the third director to take the helm of the production, said this year’s Out of the Woodwork will incorporate a “mix of a little rock, soul, folk, salsa, poetry, comedy theatre, belly dancing, tap dancing and sea shanties” performed by unanticipated virtuosos drawn to the ‘End of the Road.’”
The show starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Mariner Theatre.
Look for a lot of new faces, a lot of surprises accompanied and rivaled by more familiar faces and voices. This year’s lineup features the familiar, such as KBBI’s Marcia Lynn, the enthusiastic Shivering Gypsies, and less recognizable figures teeming with artistic aptitude who “make it pop Out of the Woodwork,” Oberstein said.
Any artists who performed in previous shows were asked to step out of their comfort zones and do something completely different and very colorful. Changing up their acts also shows off their versatility as performance artists.
Revelations of musical, choreographic and theatrical talent shine an entirely new light on Homer’s community, “there’s so much talent in this town, it’s just amazing,” she said.
Literally, out of the woodwork this year, comes the amazing duo of Sarah Jane Johnson and Michael McKinny, who have never worked together before. She works summers at the Saltry in Halibut Cove, he works for Era Aviation, and together they perform an original comedy sketch written by Pat McNary.
Jessica Williams, the wife of a Coast Guardsman, was another surprise in her power as a vocalist, Oberstein said. Jan Dullinger sings a soulful number; Shasta Swanson gives Irish songs “in an angelic voice,” and Cheryl Oster rocks the stage in an original Latin song.
“They are all just powerful talents, and all are new to the stage,” Oberstein said. Watch also for Lindianne Sarno (LEFT) as an accompaniment, Mary Langham on a flute and the songs about the sea by the Sea Shanties that end up raucous, she added.
Look for Kirk Olsen playing African drums, Gay Wolfe, Findley Abbott and Robin McAllister also singing, along with a Homer star and lifelong resident, Sunrise Kilcher.
“I’m hoping the talents bring the Homer audience out of the woodwork,” Oberstein said.
Tickets are available at HCOA, The Homer Bookstore, online at homerart.org, and at the door, $5 for youth, $10 for members, and $15 for general admission.