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Some might call it nostalgia, but the way the Rev. Steve Wilson sees it, if it's quality entertainment, it always will be in style.

He offers the singing, dancing and comedy of "A USO Tribute Variety Show," which Armstrong Community Theater will present at Lenape Vocational-Technical School, Manor Township, as a most entertaining example.

Wilson, of East Franklin, is portraying one of the USO's (United Service Organizations) legends, the late vocalist-actor-comedian Bob Hope. For decades, Hope led some of this country's most famous celebrities in treks around the world to entertain and lift the morale of American servicemen and women.

"A USO Tribute Variety Show" was written and organized by producer Paul Wright of North Buffalo and co-directors Cortney Bavera of Worthington and Laura Lloyd of Washington Township. The show will focus on a heyday of those tours, the World War II years of the 1940s.

That was when Hope took to war zones a most varied lineup, accompanied by the likes ofJudy Garland, the Andrews Sisters, Bing Crosby, Rita Hayworth, The Marx Brothers, the Three Stooges, Mae West, Shirley Temple, Jack Benny and more.

They and many others will come to life again through the 50-member (the largest ever for ACT) cast.

"I admire Bob Hope for the fact that he was willing to go to even the front lines to try to spread a little joy to military people, some of whom would never see home again," says Wilson, pastor of Walkchalk Salem Baptist Church. "It is a tribute to him (and the others) that he would give up his own comfort and share in the sacrifice of the brave men and women in uniform."

Good entertainment always will be appreciated, he adds, especially by those far from home. The USO, whose motto is "Until everyone comes home," continues to be a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the troops by providing morale, welfare and recreational services to those in uniform. The original intent of Congress and the enduring style of the USO, which has 135 centers worldwide, is to represent the American people by extending a touch of home to the military.

"I hope that members of the audience will remember that those serving our country are not just names on a list, but people who enjoy entertainment and would love to hear from the folks back home," Wilson says. "This production was a chance to remind people that sacrifices are being made on behalf of this country, just like they were 60 years ago."

ACT wants to honor the military, past and present, says Wright, a member of a military family and president of the community theater.

He believes this is a show for the entire family. Although it focuses on the 1940s, there is comedy to which all ages can relate , he says, "and timeless songs that are even known by the younger generations."

Wright is playing Bing Crosby and is the "bugle boy" in the "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" finale. "The directors have been very creative in making sure the material is from the correct time period," Wright says.

"I just love the fact that we are taking a piece of history and bringing it to life. We tried to incorporate a feel as if you are there in the 1940s watching an actual USO show," Bavera says.

She was pleased to see so much family involvement in the cast. "It's wonderful to see mothers and daughters, sisters and mothers and sons have such a good time spending time together," she adds.

Bavera also is having a good time portraying Maxene Andrews and getting to sing one of her favorite songs, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy."

"I've always admired the Andrews Sisters and their talent and am really excited to portray Maxene and sing harmony with Laura Lloyd and Emily Younkins (of South Buffalo) as the Andrews," Bavera says.

"We would like to give people a piece of history and bring up some old memories as well as create new ones. The music from the 1940s is classic," Bavera says.

"The Andrews Sisters were so upbeat and really sounded awesome together," adds Lloyd, who will portray Patty Andrews. At one time, they were among America's most popular female groups.

"Coming to the show with your child or grandchild can actually be an educational opportunity," suggests Younkins (Laverne Andrews).

It is no less than a "fantastic" tribute show, says cast member Cathlynn Bowser of Manor Township, who has the role of actress Rita Hayworth. "I feel honored to work besides such wonderful people," she says.

"This is a cast of all ages who wants to keep live theater alive in this area," says Mike Luke of Kittanning, who will be Larry Fine of the Three Stooges. "The show has old-time comedy at its best," he says.

J.C. Gibson of South Buffalo is Moe Howard of the Stooges. "I just want to make people laugh. That was always the goal of the Stooges," he says. "With all the woes of the world, people need a chance to just sit back, relax and laugh."

Retired teacher Robert Leard of East Franklin, who is the Stooges' Curly Howard, is happy to be participating with two of his former students. "One is from my first class, and the other from one of my last classes," he says. This is his 14th show with ACT.

Michal Greiner of Kittanning, who portrays a 15-year-old girl from the '40s, finds the show "incredibly entertaining." "It makes you laugh, and it's just fun to watch all of this come to life," she says. "I love how much respect it gives to our nation's troops."

This will be 11-year-old Brianna Troutman's first time on stage. The South Buffalo resident's role is child actress Virginia Weidler, who starred with Mickey Rooney, Katharine Hepburn and others before going on to Vaudeville. "She was a natural young comedian, and I love to make people laugh," Troutman says.

Gary Ashley of Kittanning Township hopes to do that as Groucho Marx, playing opposite Harpo Marx. "I like that this show puts more 'variety' in the variety show (format)," he says.

Harpo Marx comes to life through Stephen Kromka of West Kittanning. "I know this is just a small community variety show," he says, "but I also see it as a gift of acknowledgement to those who keep us safe."

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