Tag: Millwald Theatre

Chicago, Frampton supergroup provide best Millwald concert yet

September 22, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

On the night of Thursday, September 17, I saw the best concert I have ever witnessed at the Millwald Theatre since it became a full-production house four years ago. Two former members of Chicago — guitarist Keith Howland and singer and bassist Jeff Coffey — along with Peter Frampton’s pianist and musical director Rob Arthur and drummer for The Doobie Brothers Ed Toth, came together to form The Players. The Players performed a two-hour show, with a 20-minute intermission, that brought about one of the most incredible rock ’n’ roll experiences our town has ever hosted. The sold-out crowd, made up mostly of senior citizens, was dancing in the aisles to the hits of Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Toto, Peter Frampton, The Doobie Brothers and Rick Springfield. The fact that each member of this incredible group is not a part of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is an oversight that should be eradicated immediately. Nevertheless, it was their blistering horn section that brought about the slickness and smoothness of the evening. A trio from Long Island featuring Adam Seely on saxophone, Dan Hendrix on trumpet and Michael Rubinstein on trombone, these superbly talented gentlemen could be seen playing their instruments up and down the aisles and even in the balcony for the audience, collectively serving as the heartbeat of the entire evening. As I am a much bigger fan of the Robert Lamm era of Chicago as opposed to Peter Cetera, simply because of the horns, I was thrilled that this group made the Peter Cetera songs even better than the originals by adding horn arrangements to them. Keith Howland also has special ties to Southwest Virginia, as he spent much of his teenage years in Roanoke. He graduated from James Madison University and, after forming his first band in Roanoke, says he played many gigs at Virginia Tech. After retiring from Chicago in 2021, having been the band’s lead guitarist for 27 years — a post he held longer than any other musician in the band’s history — he formed his own band with best friend Jeff Coffey, who served as Chicago’s lead singer beginning in 2016. At 59, the Orlando, Florida, native had no trouble hitting the high notes of Peter Cetera songs, as well as the myriad of other era hits that were played during the two-hour set. Originally from Silver Spring, Maryland, 62-year-old Howland proved himself to be one of the greatest guitarists in the annals of rock ’n’ roll, showing that he has not lost a step in his 40-plus-year career. Nashville native Arthur showed us the workings of a talk box, which is a plastic tube threaded through an instrument and placed in the mouth. When blown through, it can make it sound as though the particular instrument is actually speaking rather than simply emitting notes. He noted that Peter Frampton was one of the first people to utilize this musical tool before launching into Frampton’s most famous 1976 song, “Show Me the Way.” Howland also shared a story about being called “New Guy” by Rick Springfield when he joined his band as guitarist. “Everybody wanted to party in my room,” he recalled. “But I just wanted to go to bed. One night, I decided I would just leave my room, and by the time I went back, the party people would be gone. When I got back, they were gone, but they had sprayed the words ‘New Guy’ all over my hotel room in shaving cream.” Howland told this story before launching into Springfield’s most famous hit, “Jessie’s Girl.” Drummer Ed Toth even took the mic for a minute to relay a story of admiration for the people he plays behind every night. “Never give a drummer a mic unless you’re someone like Phil Collins,” he said, giving a nod to my favorite performer of all time. “We just learned to play this song yesterday, and I hope it works out.” As they launched into Sting’s “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You,” that was enough proof positive that the song indeed worked. Jeff Coffey spoke of his admiration for his best friend and fellow bandmate, Keith Howland. “When we were playing the Hollywood Bowl in Chicago for 20,000 people, we knew that if we were ever not in Chicago, we wanted to be in a band together,” Coffey said. “That’s why we’re here tonight.” Coming on strong with “Stay the Night” as an opener, the Chicago hits continued with the famous progressive suite “Make Me Smile” and “Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon.” Plenty of Cetera hits were featured as well, including “You’re the Inspiration,” “If You Leave Me Now” and “25 or 6 to 4.” Of course, the horn-powered “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” was a highlight, as was Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September.” “Call on Me” was another Chicago favorite offered, as was Toto’s “Rosanna.” “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and the News was another great horn-heavy cover provided by the supergroup. Each member of the horn section got an opportunity to step down front for his own solo, which was a highlight for the entire evening. The Doobie Brothers’ “Listen to the Music” was offered as a crowd pleaser, bringing many audience members to the makeshift dance floor in the front row. Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Shining Star” provided another funky, horn-heavy number to top off the set list before launching into REO Speedwagon’s “Roll with the Changes” as a rousing encore. It closed out a night that neither Wytheville, Virginia, nor I will ever forget.

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Symphony Under the Stars returns to Wytheville

September 16, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra provided a stellar concert at Elizabeth Brown Memorial Park in Wytheville on Saturday, September 13, with a beautiful backdrop of a made-to-order sunny evening. Continuing the celebration of the 250th birthday of our nation, which was honored earlier in the year during a concert at the Millwald Theatre, the Millwald hosted an outdoor concert at one of our town’s most beautiful parks. RSO’s “Symphony Under the Stars” was just as big a success as it was last year, opening with the national anthem. The classical piece “The Light Cavalry Overture” by Franz von Suppé, featuring RSO’s new principal clarinetist Amy Hur, was followed by one of two John Williams pieces offered during the first half of the show. Music from one of my late father’s favorite films, Jurassic Park, was accompanied by assistant concertmaster Dr. John Hugo, dressed in an inflatable dinosaur costume. He mingled with some audience members, danced along, and even received his own baton from conductor David Stewart Wiley to help direct the piece. Handel’s “Let the Bright Seraphim” from the opera Samson was next, featuring tenor vocalist Brian Thorsett. Having performed worldwide in live performances and recordings, the Blacksburg-based singer teaches in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, according to Wiley’s introduction. Thorsett also sang the most emotional piece of the evening, “Bring Him Home” from Les Misérables. When Wiley introduced the song in the context of a tribute to the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, many audience members wept throughout the number. Remaining in celebration of our nation’s milestone birthday, John Williams was given another nod with a medley from another of his iconic film scores. The Revolutionary War film starring Mel Gibson, The Patriot, featured Williams’ Oscar-nominated score, rendered in full glory by the RSO and capturing the true American spirit. During the “Armed Forces Salute,” Thorsett, along with the Roanoke Symphony Chorus, sang the songs representing all branches of the United States military. As I did for their Flag Day concert, I proudly elevated my chair to “stand” in honor of my late father, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1962 to 1966. I noticed I was the only one who did so for the Coast Guard, and I was not about to let my father or his branch of service be forgotten. The memorable Suite No. 1 from Carmen opened the second of two 40-minute acts, followed by a medley from Gone with the Wind by legendary film composer Max Steiner. “This piece is written specifically for place,” Wiley said. “It encapsulates Scarlett O’Hara’s devotion to Terra and her determination to restore her home.” Next came a medley from Howard Shore’s magnificent score from The Lord of the Rings films. Shore won Oscars for his work on two of the films. This medley featured battle music from the films, with heavy, anvil-like percussion in one particularly rugged section of the often-requested medley as performed by the RSO. A segment of “In Dreams,” featuring the RSO Chorus, was also included. A riveting medley from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story delighted a group from the newly rebranded Red Stag Dinner Theatre in Wytheville, who performed the choreography in perfect synchronicity with the music. From the Latin rhythms of “Tonight” to “One Hand, One Heart,” featuring Concertmaster Akemi Takayama on lead violin, who had her very own fan club in the audience, the medley included a swing-jazz version of “Cool,” culminating with “America.” The RSO once again restored my American pride with the patriotic numbers “America the Beautiful,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and “America the Beautiful,” before launching into the encore of John Williams’ Star Wars medley. Complete with his own lightsaber baton, Wiley did his best Yoda impersonation and ended the perfect evening on an incredibly high note. You’ll have one more chance to hear the RSO ensemble, chorus, and featured vocalist Brian Thorsett as they present their holiday concert, “Handel’s Messiah,” on Saturday, December 19, at 7:00 p.m. at the Millwald Theatre. Tickets are available at https://ci.ovationtix.com/36798/production/1273229?performanceId=11799695 or by calling the Millwald box office at 276-284-2958.

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Antoniou provides mind-bending entertainment at Millwald

August 9, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

British psychic comedian Peter Antoniou returned to Wytheville for his second sold-out performance at the Millwald Theatre on Saturday, August 8th, and this time I was fortunate enough to be there. For 86 minutes, Antoniou had an audience of roughly 500 believers and doubters alike completely enthralled. It did not matter whether you considered yourself a believer or a skeptic. Antoniou’s ability to keep the audience engaged was undeniable. His own journey into the world of mentalism began at a remarkably young age. “I started reading tarot cards at the age of 9,” he recalled, “By 18, I was working on the 900-number psychic lines.” Eventually, his career took him to Las Vegas, following his appearance as a semifinalist on America’s Got Talent in 2021. The 38-year-old comedian and psychic has apparently never looked back. His shows have sold out around the world, and after experiencing his performance firsthand, it’s easy to understand why. I was lucky enough to become one of his participants. Early in the show, Antoniou invited audience members to become part of the performance by catching a Frisbee he threw into the crowd. My lucky moment came near the very end, when the Frisbee landed in the back row and nobody picked it up. I quickly asked my friend, Jeremy Miller, who had brought me to the show, to retrieve it and hand it to me. Antoniou asked my name. He had actually finished the personal readings, but apparently decided that my mental intuition was too strong to ignore. “Are you thinking of starting a podcast?” he asked. The truth was that I already had one. The question I had submitted for him to hopefully answer was whether I should revamp the podcast and, if I did, whether it would be successful. “You’re worried about whether or not it will be successful,” he told me, “but you don’t have a clear definition of success.” That wasn’t entirely true. To me, success would mean waking up one day to discover that I had enough listeners to monetize the program and, in a dream scenario, eventually be relieved of the essential need for government assistance. “I can hear you thinking,” he said. “I know you’re doing this, but answer me about my podcast.” He was definitely right about that. “I think a podcast is a wonderful idea for you,” he continued, “but you need to let go of the stress of trying to make it successful and just make it as fun for you as you possibly can. Whatever is fun for you, that’s what the podcast should be.” “You’re a very loud thinker, Zach,” Antoniou told me. “I can appreciate that, but it’s very distracting.” In reality, I was simply doing what he had told all of us to do at the beginning of the show. “The louder you scream at me in your head,” he had said during his opening remarks, “the greater chance you have of being heard during the program.” After asking me the year of my birth and a second participant an important year in her life, he then asked the other Frisbee holder for seven random numbers. The remainder of the crowd was instructed to perform calculations on their phones. The numbers began with 1,985 multiplied by 1,981. That result was then added to 2,675,319, and 74,219,305, a number punched into a calculator by another participant who had been brought onstage without looking at the keyboard. The final total was exactly 80,826,909. Those numbers represented the exact date and time at that moment: August 8, 2026, at 9:09 p.m. But my experience was only one of many memorable moments throughout the evening. My longtime friend Bonnie Asbury was also singled out by Antoniou. Her story wasn’t discovered as the answer to a question. Instead, it became an inspiration, which it most certainly is. After a lifetime of heartbreak, Bonnie recently found the love of her life after searching for more than 30 years to find him. Her husband is a 40-year veteran of the National Guard, and together they have written a story that serves as a reminder that love can be found at any age and under any circumstances. No one deserves that happiness more than Bonnie, and I couldn’t be happier for her. Antoniou’s readings took several unexpected turns throughout the evening. At one point, he suddenly described a bizarre vision of Kermit the Frog riding a swan while being struck by lightning. It turned out to have a very real connection to a gentleman sitting on the opposite side of the theater. Kermit Swan had reportedly been struck by lightning twice and electrocuted a number of other times. “You want me to tell you whether or not you’re going to get superpowers,” Antoniou said. “You are not going to get superpowers, but you might develop a twitch.” He then jokingly, but emphatically, asked Kermit to promise that he would stay away from electrical outlets and other dangerous ways of harming himself. Kermit reluctantly agreed. One gentleman wanted advice concerning his cat, which had apparently, through a pet psychic, relayed some very strong opinions about a particular aspect of its owner’s housekeeping. Antoniou didn’t reveal the secret, but he did tell the cat’s owner that he definitely needed to take his pet’s advice. There are very few acts these days that I would willingly pay to see. Peter Antoniou is certainly one of them. Between the laughter, the unbelievable demonstrations, the personal readings and the unexpected moments of genuine inspiration, he gave me an evening I will never forget.

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RSO restores American pride with Wytheville Concert

June 15, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra performed a stellar concert in Wytheville on Saturday, June 13, when it brought its Stars, Stripes, and Symphony presentation to a nearly sold-out crowd at the Millwald Theatre. Fourteen songs were offered during the 80-minute, two-act program, which opened with “The Star-Spangled Banner,” sung by Dr. E. Daryll Duff, bass vocalist and veteran U.S. Navy Sea Chanter of more than 30 years. Duff’s smooth and stirring vocals sailed through several of the evening’s numbers as flawlessly as the orchestra itself. Meredith Willson’s “76 Trombones” from The Music Man kept the crowd lively, while John Williams’ “A Prayer for Peace” from the 2005 film Munich shifted the mood to one of poignancy. This piece from Williams’ Academy Award-nominated score featured violin solos from concertmaster Akemi Takayama and Zach Windsor. Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Lady” proved that Duff’s vocals could be as soulful as they were reverent. The jazz and swing elements of the orchestra provided a welcome contrast to the more traditional classical pieces. All were performed with equal precision and skill. George M. Cohan’s patriotic medley of “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “Yankee Doodle Dandy” featured Duff’s vocals as well as those of a very enthusiastic audience. He also sang the songs of each military branch during the “Armed Forces Salute” medley. In memory of my father, who died last October, I proudly elevated my power chair during the “Semper Paratus (Always Ready)” portion of the salute in honor of his service in the Coast Guard from 1962 to 1966. There were not many Coast Guard veterans in an audience full of former service members, so I was proud to realize just how special his service was. I miss him. The first half of the program ended with a medley from the film score of Apollo 13, composed by the late James Horner. The selections were preceded by actual audio from the 1970 mission, which added a haunting sense of reverence to the number. It was certainly a hallowed way to end the first 34 minutes of the show. The second act opened in full patriotic swing with “An American Salute (When Johnny Comes Marching Home),” composed in 1943 by Morton Gould and based on the original Civil War folk song. “The Great Peconic” was perhaps the most moving piece of the evening. Composed by legendary singer-songwriter Billy Joel, the number pays homage to Peconic Bay off the coast of Long Island, New York. It was the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra’s own David Stewart Wiley who helped Joel arrange the composition for orchestra. “Billy’s entire living room was the size of an Olympic pool,” Wiley recalled. “He is such a kind and generous man.” Following the piece, Wiley thanked the orchestra for performing it, noting that he will step down as music director just in time for its 75th anniversary celebration. By 2028, Wiley will have served as the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra’s conductor for 31 years. “This may be the last time we play this together,” he said. “It has been a privilege to work with you all over the last 30 years.” Next came Kenneth J. Alford’s “Colonel Bogey March,” the traditional state song “Our Great Virginia,” sung by Duff to the tune of “Oh Shenandoah,” and “Satchmo,” a medley tribute to Louis Armstrong. A program highlight, “Satchmo” was arranged by Ted Ricketts and featured some of Armstrong’s best-known tunes, including “What a Wonderful World,” “Hello, Dolly!,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” and “St. Louis Blues.” After Duff led the audience in Richard Rodgers’ “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” from The Sound of Music and Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” which garnered a standing ovation, Wiley closed the show by inviting an enthusiastic teenager to conduct the orchestra in “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” putting the proverbial cherry on top of a wonderful evening. In this day and time, given the current state of the country, it can be difficult to muster national pride. The music provided by the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra restored in me a sense of honor in being an American. If only for an hour, I was proud to live in the United States again. Their music is second to none. It is an incredible blessing to call the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra our own. The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra will have two more Wytheville performances this year. Symphony Under the Stars takes place on September 13, while Handel’s Messiah will be presented on December 19. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.themillwald.org or call 276-284-2958.

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SNL veteran plays Wytheville

May 25, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

Saturday Night Live veteran Tim Meadows finally made it to Wytheville to entertain a sold-out crowd at the Millwald Theatre on Saturday, May 23, after rescheduling from last August to film the one and only season of the sitcom DMV. The 65-year-old Detroit native entertained the audience for 49 of the 90 minutes the three-act show offered the crowd of 500. The rest of the show was filled by Charlotte comedienne Carol Tyner and Louisville comic Mandee McKelvey, both of whom delivered 20-minute sets. If the material offered by the openers was considered for mature audiences, the headliner topped them all in terms of both laughs and vulgarity. You really feel like “Parent of the Year” when you are warned by two members of the theater staff, as you sit next to your 12-year-old daughter, that the evening’s comedy is for mature audiences. At that point, the ticket had already been purchased, and nothing could be done. Bella insisted on seeing the show, with high hopes of meeting Principal DuVall from 2004’s Mean Girls and its 2024 sequel. While Meadows offered no formal meet-and-greets, my daughter insisted on checking the back alley on our way out. Lo and behold, she and my wife, Emily, found him and asked for a picture. He agreed, as long as they made it quick. I had planned to stay out of the way, but the 10-year SNL veteran insisted on taking the photo with me as well. My friend from West Virginia, Andrew Church, a lifelong SNL fan, snapped the photo for us. Bella’s night was made, at the risk of us being reported. It is a sad commentary to learn that the words heard within the halls of her middle school were not much milder. We were all honored to meet our second comedy legend this month and appreciate his graciousness toward us. While still very funny, Meadows was clearly not happy to have landed in Charlotte and made the rainy two-hour commute to Wytheville, but being a divorced dad required him to make the date. “I remember telling my mom when I was a kid that I wanted to be a comedian, travel the world, and play Wytheville,” he led off. “If I had Will Ferrell’s career, I would be flying over you to an airport in the same state as the gig I’m playing.” Nevertheless, he expressed gratitude to the audience for coming to his show. “I realize you had many other entertainment options tonight,” he quipped. “You could have gone to Big Lots.” Meadows also mentioned the difficulties of being divorced. “You all didn’t know it was child-support night here at the Millwald,” he joked. “I appreciate your help.” The Ladies Man star spoke of his most recent—albeit brief—tryst since ending his marriage. “That’s my only Lindsay Lohan story,” he said at the end, which drew roars from the audience. “I actually made a Netflix movie with her called Our Little Secret.” According to Meadows, the real secret of the film was a bad script and a desire to pay the bills. “There were misspellings in the script,” he revealed. “I love money.” He explained how Black celebrities always support one another. “We even looked at O.J. Simpson as that crazy uncle who might have killed a couple of people,” he said. “If you don’t believe me, explain how Tyler Perry is a billionaire and not one of those dollars came from anyone in this audience tonight.” Yet, no matter how bad a Perry movie might be, Meadows says his African American peers will see it. “Tyler will have a boom mic so far in the shot, you wonder if the sound man had a stroke,” he jested. “Yet, we will go watch Madea’s Star Wars.” Meadows also took some hilarious jabs at Donald Trump, with which he closed the show. Speaking of the 2020 debate between him and Joe Biden, Meadows compared the current president’s “they’re eating the cats and dogs” rant to a bad Bill Cosby impersonation. “You had the one who could barely speak versus the one who spoke too much,” Meadows assessed. “When you see Trump talk, he’s either doing an impersonation of Regis Philbin, Christopher Walken, or Rodney Dangerfield.” As for his openers, Tyner also couldn’t resist indirectly jumping on the Trump bandwagon. As a never-married, childless 35-year-old woman with a Chinese boyfriend, she noted that living in the South is difficult. “While people are telling me not to worry about it with their mouths,” Tyner stated, “they are looking at me like a grocery store that just lost power.” “This administration should love my IUD,” the North Carolinian said. “It keeps millions of Asians out every day. It’s the ultimate border patrol.” McKelvey was too up in arms with the middle-aged woes of womanhood to be bothered with politics. “No one told me that, after 40, I would become homicidal for no reason,” she lamented. “I dream of killing just to see the life drain out of something.” She also added that, no matter how smart she may be, everyone will always presume she is stupid because of her thick Kentucky drawl. “You don’t know what it’s like being born with a mullet stuck in your throat,” she said. “I could be up here in a white lab coat giving a TED Talk, but all you’re ever going to hear is NASCAR.”

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Easton sells out Wytheville’s Millwald in enthralling showcase

March 23, 2026March 24, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

Despite turning 67 this month, Scottish pop star Sheena Easton proved she still has what it takes to wow an audience when she brought her nostalgic ’80s dance sound to the Millwald Theatre on Saturday, March 21. Opening with the Lisa Stansfield classic “Around the World,” Easton immediately had the sold-out crowd of 500 on their feet, and the energy never dipped throughout the 85-minute set. She followed with her 1988 hit “Days Like This,” setting the tone for an evening that balanced humor, nostalgia, and vocal strength. “Some of you are here because you know my name,” she joked after sipping from a mug she claimed was “fifty percent likely to have tea in it.” Then, with a grin, she added, “But let’s face it—some of you are here because your mother dragged you.” Before launching into the ballad “Almost Over You,” Easton shared that its tear-jerking lyrics reflected a true story from her own life. The performance was met with warm appreciation from the audience. She followed with a heartfelt rendition of “It Must Have Been Love” by Roxette, then delivered the Burt Bacharach classic “Always Something There to Remind Me” in a style closer to Sandie Shaw’s original version than the later ’80s interpretation by Naked Eyes. “That is my trilogy about getting dumped,” she quipped at the end of the sequence. “I would never dump you!” one audience member shouted. “Hi, sugar,” Easton replied in a playful Mae West-style drawl. Later in the evening, a fan called out, “You lost your accent!” “That’s because I stole yours,” she shot back, effortlessly keeping the crowd engaged. Introducing her hit “Strut,” Easton teased, “This next song will remind you of the moment your mother regretted playing you my music—after she came home and found you in her high heels singing the naughty lyrics.” She added with a laugh, “Some of the girls were doing it too.” A highlight of the night came during her tribute to her late friend Prince, whom she credited with boosting her confidence as a songwriter. She performed “The Arms of Orion,” their duet from the Batman soundtrack, alongside “Nothing Compares 2 U”—famously recorded by Sinéad O’Connor. Easton joked that she had been “dead jealous” that O’Connor recorded the song instead of her. Both numbers featured her backup singer and duet partner, Jason Martinez, whose versatility—ranging from country to R&B—added depth throughout the evening. “The Lover in Me” stood out as a high-energy callback to her ’80s peak, while a Prince medley—including “U Got the Look” and “Sugar Walls,” with a nod to Sheila E.’s “The Glamorous Life”—kept the momentum strong. Martinez rejoined Easton for her country hit “We’ve Got Tonight,” originally recorded with Kenny Rogers and written by Bob Seger. Of course, the show would not have been complete without Easton’s talented band. As she noted in a prior interview, she truly brought “the best musicians in Vegas.” Saxophonist Tony Q drove many songs to their peak energy, while guitarist Andrew Weir delivered standout performances—perhaps inspired, as Easton joked, by his wife Ann being in the audience for her birthday. Musical director Brian Triola anchored the sound on keyboards, and drummer Michel Angelo Vattima provided a powerful rhythmic backbone. “Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair)” proved to be a major crowd-pleaser, but it was her signature hit “Morning Train (9 to 5)” that brought the audience to its feet before the first note—and kept them standing through the final chord. Easton closed the night with her James Bond theme, “For Your Eyes Only,” ending the show with grace, warmth, and consummate professionalism. As delighted as the Wytheville crowd was to welcome her, one can only hope that this performance marks the beginning of many more artists of Easton’s caliber gracing the stage at the Millwald Theatre. As for Easton herself, the artist could not have been warmer and more gracious. Having been given the honor to meet and interview her was an even greater privilege than watching the double Grammy winner perform. She has lost nothing in talent or showmanship in a half-century of performing. One can only hope she will see fit to return to our humble, but grateful hamlet again soon.

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Martin returns to Millwald with homespun comedy

March 1, 2026March 1, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

More than half his life has been devoted to stand-up comedy, but long before the stage lights and sold-out crowds, William Lee Martin once imagined a different calling. The 60-year-old native Texan considered becoming a preacher and even pursued music in college as a drummer. That musical thread still weaves its way through his performances. If you were fortunate enough to arrive early to his February 28 show at the Millwald Theatre, you were treated to an array of country songs — all personally composed and performed by Martin himself. This was not his first visit to the Millwald. He has played the historic downtown venue at least once before and assured the audience he plans to return — hopefully next April. “I love to drive around Wytheville and see all the antique shops,” he opened. “You all need to throw some of that stuff away.” He joked that he plays a game while driving through town, trying to determine what’s a garage sale and what’s a hoarder’s collection. Martin then introduced his friend and fellow comedian, Ohio native Sid Davis, who now lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. Davis delivered a tight 10-minute opening set that included memories of serving as an opening act for Joan Rivers until her passing. “I knew I had made it in the business,” Davis said, “when I came off stage and Joan Rivers said to me three words: ‘You got it.’ No one in my life has ever said those three words to me — except that doctor at the free clinic in college.” Davis also mined laughs from his frugality, including a story about sneaking a jar of peanuts into a New York Yankees game by hiding it in his trousers. When a security guard questioned the suspicious bulge, Davis replied, “It’s my colostomy bag.” The guard promptly waved him through. As part of his Seemed Smart at the Time tour, Martin cataloged a series of life decisions that, in hindsight, may not have been his best — including his first two marriages. “My first wife and I are good friends now,” he said. “I call her the previous administration.” His second wife, a redhead, earned the nickname “the sequel.” “And not a Godfather sequel,” he clarified. “More like the Caddyshack sequel.” When a few men in the audience groaned knowingly at the redhead joke, Martin added, “I see a few other men in the audience have also had their tires cut.” Though happily married to his current wife of 13 years, he didn’t shy away from playful commentary. “I like to go out to country bars and dance,” he explained. “I asked God for a third wife who could dance. I clearly forgot to add the word ‘well’ to the end of that prayer.” Having studied percussion in college, Martin confessed he cannot understand how anyone struggles with a simple two-step rhythm. The only way his current wife can manage it, he joked, is after a couple glasses of wine. “I know when she’s feeling good because her hands start to raise toward her head,” he said. “If her hands get above her head, I’m going to be holding her hair for the rest of the night.” Beneath the punchlines, however, ran a deeper current. Martin spoke candidly about reconciling with his father on his deathbed. “I just wanted you to know I’m sorry for the things I said to you when I was 15,” Martin recalled telling him. “I just want you to know that everything I said to you when you were 15, I meant,” his father replied. “At that moment,” Martin quipped, “I pulled the plug.” Throughout the 88-minute performance, Martin blended humor with heartfelt reflection, often leaning into a gentle evangelism that challenged the audience to consider the weight of their own lives. Having recently lost his father, he shared the experience of writing his father’s obituary and encouraged others to try writing their own. “This is where you really understand the weight of your life,” he said. “You start to list your accomplishments. The more commas you put into your list of achievements, the more fulfilled you realize your life is.” After the show, when I briefly met him, he signed a poster for me with two simple words: “All commas.” I took that message to heart and intend to continue living fully, as he seems to have done. Of all the gifts a person can offer during one brief lifetime, few are more valuable than laughter — and William Lee Martin has provided it in abundance.

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Studdard brings short but sweet set to Wytheville

February 27, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

It has been 23 years since America watched Ruben Studdard claim the second-ever American Idol title on American Idol. Early in the audition process, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe reportedly told him he didn’t “look like” an American Idol. Studdard’s response was simple: he sang. Within three lines of his audition, he had secured his ticket to Hollywood. “The first episode of American Idol I ever watched was the night Kelly Clarkson won,” the now 47-year-old singer told the Wytheville audience of about 200 at the Millwald Theatre on February 26. A backup singer in his wedding band asked him to accompany her to an American Idol audition in Nashville. “I discovered I could sing better than 95 percent of the people who were auditioning,” he said with a smile. Studdard went on not only to win the competition but also to earn a Grammy nomination for his stirring cover of “Superstar,” made famous by Luther Vandross. Upon winning, each Idol champion received a signature single; Studdard’s was “Flying Without Wings,” produced by another hero of Studdard’s, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and often remembered as his coronation anthem. During a brief but mesmerizing 72-minute performance — half music, half storytelling — the Birmingham, Alabama native revisited those career-defining moments. He shared the story of attending the Grammy Awards with his mother, who fainted after being photographed with her lifelong idol, Smokey Robinson. After recounting that memory, Studdard launched into Robinson’s solo classic “Cruisin’.” He opened the evening with the standard “The Best Things in Life Are Free,” followed by a heartfelt rendition of “Love, Love, Love” by Donny Hathaway. Then came a powerful interpretation of Vandross favorites, including “Don’t You Know That?” and a medley of “Let’s Have a Party” and “Bad Boy.” A personal highlight for many was “Never Too Much,” delivered with warmth and effortless phrasing. Ironically, Studdard admitted he was not always a fan of the R&B legend he now honors so convincingly. “When I was little, I couldn’t stand Luther Vandross because I thought my mother was cheating on my father with him,” he joked. “Every time he came on TV, my mother was on the verge of having a heart attack.” In 1984, when Vandross performed in Birmingham, Studdard’s mother bought nosebleed seats. Six-year-old Ruben had to attend because there was no babysitter. “As a husky kid, I was upset because my mama didn’t have money for nachos, popcorn, or Pepsi,” he recalled. “Luther also made it a rule not to turn the air conditioning on until he came on stage. I had sweated through my Bugle Boy suit. I was not happy.” But within minutes of Vandross taking the stage, everything changed. “He was singing the paint off the walls,” Studdard said. “You couldn’t help but be a fan after that.” The concert also included “Superstar,” which he introduced with a few lines of Aretha Franklin’s “Until You Come Back to Me,” written by Stevie Wonder. From his 2003 debut album Soulful, he performed “Sorry 2004,” and from 2006’s The Return, he offered “Change Me.” Additional soulful tributes included “Would You Mind” by Earth, Wind & Fire. His backing band matched his polish and precision. Guitarist Jon Snow delivered several electric solos that energized the room, keyboardist John Jackson provided silky accompaniment, and drummer David Smith laid down a powerful backbeat. Together, the trio made the small-stage production feel orchestral. Dubbed “The World’s Velvet Teddy Bear” by Gladys Knight, Studdard demonstrated that his voice — despite his own self-deprecating humor — remains remarkably intact. “These notes get hard to hit when you get near 50,” he told the crowd. “I was 24 when I recorded most of these songs.” Judging by the audience’s enthusiastic reception, no one noticed any decline. Ruben Studdard still has what it takes. While some may have questioned paying $81 for premium seating to a performance that ran just over an hour, the overall response appeared overwhelmingly positive. The evening not only satisfied longtime fans but also elevated Wytheville’s profile as a legitimate tour stop along the national circuit with an A-list name like Ruben Studdard on the marquee. For one night at least, the Velvet Teddy Bear proved that time has done little to diminish his resonance — both vocally and nostalgically. As always, I am eternally grateful to Donnie Bales and the top-notch Millwald team for allowing me to attend and cover first-rate entertainment right here in my own hometown.

Strictly Observing

‘Alice’ brings Barter magic to Wytheville

February 16, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

It was such a genuine thrill to see the Barter Players on stage again—especially here in my hometown at our beautiful Millwald Theatre on Friday, February 13. Their gorgeously whimsical and vibrantly colorful production of Alice in Wonderland was nothing short of magical. In just 45 minutes, the six Barter Player actors had more than 300 audience members—predominantly children who attended the show for free—utterly spellbound from beginning to end. The performance was made free to local public-school children thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Wythe Bland Foundation, whose support ensured that so many young people could experience live theatre at no cost. What a gift to this community. One can rest assured, however, that us adults were equally enthralled. For me, it was an especially meaningful evening. For over two decades, attending productions at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon has been one of the great joys of my career. Though I’m no longer able to travel back and forth regularly, this touring production felt like a rare and cherished homecoming. The ensemble of half a dozen brilliant actors—each a true triple threat of singer, actor, and dancer—brought boundless energy to this wacky and wondrous adaptation of the original work by Lewis Carroll. The book and lyrics were written by longtime in-house Barter playwright Catherine Bush, with music by Dax Dupuy. Together, they crafted a script that remained loyal to Carroll’s riddling verse while infusing it with fresh theatrical vitality. Jay Ruttenberg took center stage as Alice, adorably embracing the precocious character with equal parts curiosity, determination, and a healthy distaste for rules and the mundane. Stephen Cradic was my personal favorite of the evening, portraying the flamboyant King of Hearts as well as the satirical Caterpillar. His tremendous humor and discernible upbeat energy illuminated the stage with immense enjoyment. Whether grooving to a psychedelic ’60s beat before Alice takes a bite of the mushroom or swaying to elevator music as she plummets down the rabbit hole, he added lightheartedness and laughter to every scene in which he appeared. Tyler Cramer, a longtime favorite Barter Player of mine, flawlessly performed the roles of the White Rabbit, the Mushroom, Alice’s Uncle Charles, and several others with his trademark humor, confident singing, and crisp dancing. Marissa Emerson was a joy to watch in a myriad of roles, including Alice’s sister Lorena, the Mad Hatter, the Deuce of Spades, and more. Abigail Martin perhaps had the biggest stretch, playing Alice’s little brother Freddy, the Cheshire Cat, and several roles traditionally portrayed by men. Reilly Blevins was equally brilliant in her maternal portrayals—Alice’s mother, the Queen of Hearts, and the anxious Mother Pigeon who feared that a ten-foot-tall Alice might be after her unhatched eggs. The dialogue in this adaptation was particularly impressive. We were given deeper glimpses into Carroll’s original text than many of us are accustomed to from the familiar Alice in Wonderland. The set design was drenched in brilliant pinks and purples, anchored by a Roman numeral clock spinning seemingly out of control in the background. And in this telling, Alice does not simply chase the White Rabbit out of curiosity—she ventures into Wonderland to retrieve a blank book her sister has given her to fill with her adventures. Clever references to both Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass appeared throughout, including a nod to the character of Time during the Mad Hatter’s tea party scene. The blur between fantasy and reality is executed clearly here as well as morals of moderation, appreciation, and autonomy. All are clearly conveyed in his one-of-a-kind production. The implementation of characters from Alice’s real-life into her imagined one via fantastical alter-egos, as done with Dorothy for The Wizard of Oz, was also a key component to the plot of this production. Just as I was enchanted when I first saw a Barter Theatre production of The Emperor’s New Clothes as a seven-year-old first grader, I remain captivated by the quality and imagination of every Barter production I encounter. Theatre has been a major part of my life as a columnist, and Barter has been central to that journey. It is my fervent hope that future touring productions from Barter Theatre will continue to return to Wytheville. Live theatre—especially when made accessible to children—has the power to ignite imaginations and create lifelong memories. On this particular February evening, it did exactly that.

Strictly Observing

Bohn brings much needed laughter to Wytheville

February 8, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

February 7th was one of the darkest and bitterly coldest nights of the year. I won’t recount the difficulty I faced getting to the Millwald Theatre as a person with a disability under those conditions. I will simply say that seeing comedian Lucas Bohn made every bit of it worthwhile. A native of the D.C. side of Virginia, Bohn is a former fifth-grade teacher who credits his students for much of the material that helped turn him into a nationally touring comedian. Over the years, he has shared the stage with the likes of Jimmy Fallon, Dave Chappelle, and Kevin Hart—and he brought visual aids to prove exactly where his comedy began. In one cause-and-effect exercise, the cause reads: “Jimmy wants a new bike, but his parents won’t buy him one.” The student’s written effect: “He will ask his grandparents and get a bike.” When asked to support the claim with evidence, the student writes, “Grandparents love him more.” In another example, when the effect reads, “Jane has five brothers and two sisters,” the student identifies the cause as, “Jane’s mom needs a new hobby.” Bohn also demonstrated how much he can learn about a student he’s never met simply by reading a word-association worksheet. “I know this kid goes deer hunting with his dad, likes NASCAR, and knows how to use a duck call,” he said after reading the words “green frog, blue lake, red Solo cup.” “I’m surprised he didn’t write ‘Git-R-Done’ underneath.” Among my other favorite student responses were: “My mom looks beautiful when… that man comes over and she gives us melatonin.” When asked how to make a marriage work, one fifth-grade boy wrote, “Tell your wife she’s beautiful even if she looks like a dump truck.” “There is nothing more I can teach that boy,” Bohn deadpanned. “He is way ahead of the game.” The slideshow that accompanied his 97-minute act only amplified the laughter, complementing his razor-sharp wit, neighborly Southern accent, and uncanny ability to perform a range of character voices with startling precision. His trio of toddler-aged nephews apparently attest to his talent by catering to his every whim—provided he makes the request in his best “Elmo” voice. “Do you want to get Elmo a beer?” Bohn implores. “Yay! You got Elmo a beer! Elmo loves you!” That voice, however, does not translate well when calling into radio stations with rap DJs. “They will cuss you out and hang up on you at the same time,” he reported. Entitled Lesson Plans to Late Night, the show offered the Wytheville audience—made up largely of local teachers thanks to generous sponsorship from the Wythe Bland Foundation—a heartfelt and hilarious look at Bohn’s journey from public schoolteacher to comedy sensation. Bohn also spoke candidly about adopting two Black children and the ignorant questions he sometimes encounters. While playing in the park with his daughter Ella, one woman asked how the child would know to come to him, given that they were of different races. Bohn replied that he simply used the opening African chant from The Lion King to call her. Ella came running, and Bohn lifted her high, just as Rafiki held up Simba on the edge of Pride Rock. “I had no idea,” the woman replied. Lucas and his wife of 17 years, Christy—a first-grade special education teacher in Loudoun County—later adopted a second child, Alexander, whose birth mother and father are both well over six feet tall. Alexander is also Black. “I’m just happy to finally have someone in the family who can dunk,” Bohn joked. During the second half of the act, Bohn pointed out how comedy often writes itself. A street sign reading “Senior Citizen Center,” posted next to a cemetery, provided ample opportunity for comedic adjustment. Another sign read, “Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes the reason is you’re stupid and make bad decisions.” A store sign in Little Rock, Arkansas advertised: “We have all your school supply needs. Miller 12-pack, $7.99.” “You will graduate with a 4.0 blood alcohol level,” Bohn reassured. A Walmart pharmacy sign in West Virginia read: “Compare and save: Trojan condoms $3.79, Huggies diapers $22.” “They’re trying to help you out by doing God’s work,” Bohn observed. “They did the math—and they showed their work.” Bohn also chastised Hollywood for endlessly remaking ’80s and ’90s blockbusters with improved effects without ever asking audiences which films should actually be remade. His proposal: remake the original Star Wars trilogy using actors from classic ’90s movies and television. What followed was a hilarious montage of reenacted scenes. Adam Sandler’s character from The Waterboy would play Luke Skywalker. Princess Leia would be portrayed by Fran Drescher. CGI would resurrect Chris Farley—specifically from the iconic “van down by the river” Saturday Night Live sketch—to play Yoda. Matthew McConaughey would play C-3PO. Eddie Murphy would portray Lando Calrissian, with Mike Myers making a cameo as Shrek, yelling at Donkey to get out of there. Finally, Al Pacino would take on Darth Vader during the iconic “I am your father” scene. This exchange truly has to be seen to be fully appreciated. It was an evening I will always remember, and I hope Lucas Bohn returns to the Millwald soon.

Strictly Observing