Bob Hope, legendary entertainer of American military personnel, has been credited with boosting troop morale starting in World War II with his USO tours featuring first-rate entertainment, including humor and beautiful women – lots of beautiful women.
From his first USO show in 1941 at March Field in Riverside to the last one in 1990 in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Hope’s aim was to make folks laugh and forget the rigors of war, at least momentarily.
Since his death in 2003 at age 100, his memory has lived on.
On Thursday, Dec. 21, it will be revived at Laguna Woods Clubhouse 5 by the Theatre Guild’s staging of “Holiday Salute to Veterans,” a USO-style variety show starring Bob Matonti as host Bob Hopeless.
Bob Hopeless, you say?
“It’s a humorous takeoff on the real guy,” Matonti said. “People will realize very quickly that I am not Bob Hope—he’s a hard act to follow. I wanted to honor Bob Hope by not being him.”
Written by Barbara Powell and directed by Donna Valenti, the show will offer comedy, singing and dancing – but no drama – with material going back to World War II, Korea and Vietnam, Powell said.
“It’s a unique show. The first act … centers on World War II, the Andrews Sisters, for example, and the second act will feature music and comedy from Korea and Vietnam,” she said. “We wanted a little something for everybody, to keep it light and fun and get as many people involved as possible.”
Calling herself a child of the ’60s, Powell said she was drawn to the show’s time frame.
“I grew up with the music from World War II through my parents,” she said.
She credits Matonti with coming up with the concept and pitching it to her after she wrote last year’s Christmas show.
“He had done M*A*S*H-type shows with friends and neighbors, variety shows to use as fundraisers, and wanted to do something like that for Christmas this year,” Powell said.
Hence the show was created as a fundraiser for veterans and…
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