Mike Hickman played Ricky Ricardo to Linda Wise's Lucy in Cabaret 2012.
Well, the ladies of Akima have done it again — with the help of a few male supporters. Their Cabaret 2012 fundraiser brought in over $100K — just in sponsorships alone. That doesn’t count the two nights of ticket sales to the show at the Bijou Theatre last Friday and Saturday. Friday was a virtual sell-out with fewer than 20 tickets unsold and Saturday was a literal sell-out. But it’s a good thing. Cabaret is Akima’s only major fundraiser, and the Cabaret only comes around every second year. It funds grants to more than 20 deserving non-profits in our community.
The theme for this year’s Cabaret, which was celebrating 65 years of Akima, a women’s service club, was “I Love Akima,” based on the TV show “I Love Lucy.” Out-of-town professionals write and produce the show using local Akima volunteers as talent. Moxley Carmichael‘s own Tami Hartmann was one of the cast members for the last several Cabarets — she does a great job on the kick-line! We think it’s funny that when she attaches her fake ponytail (she calls it a phony-tail!), it gives the normally quiet mother of three the courage to take the stage and put any Las Vegas showgirl to shame!
After the show each night, everyone motored over to Cherokee Country Club for dinner and dancing. Here are some of the sights.
Cathy Herod made a great Ethel! Jim Keeler was her husband, Fred.
One skit involved Dr. Phil. Fred Kaserman, who is a doctor in real life, played that part.
The kick-line always is a highlight of the show. Here they are taking a bow.
Willene Chalmers, left, and Jackie Newman bought the last two tickets to Saturday's sold-out performance. They bought them at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Eleven-year-old Willow Osborne warmed up the crowd playing her banjo and singing.
My husband, Alan Carmichael, with cast member Joy Sutton in the Bijou lobby after the show.
Then it was on to Cherokee Country Club where we saw this projected onto the historic building.
Meredith and John Worden at Cherokee. She played Lady Gaga in one of the skits and did a great job!
Sisters Paige Moncier, left, and Meredith Kuester over the salad course.
Meanwhile, Alan had his priorities. The salad could wait!
Melissa Cox, left, and her mom, Tami Hartmann
At our table were Tony and Melanie Vitrano.
Dr. Larry and Tricia Kilgore. She has just launched the new Koko FitClub workout facilities in Bearden and Farragut.
Craig Shelton, left, with Julie McClellan and Mark Broussard
Bruce and Tami Hartmann. (Thanks for having Alan and me at your table!)
Melissa and Steven Cox came in from Birmingham to see Melissa's mom perform.
Tami said the Akima volunteers put together the centerpieces for 50 tables. When all was said and done, each centerpiece cost them about $4! Wow.
Tami with "Lucy" -- Linda Wise. She did a fantastic job.
Hahaha! Chef David Pinckney of Cherokee put a can-can girl made of white chocolate on each dessert plate. Very clever.
Joy McCabe, left, and her niece, Catherine Bodie
Cindy Connor Fecher and Dennis Coughlin
Dodie and Wendy Manalac. He played Cee Lo Green in the skits and she was a dancer.
Matt and Amanda Regas with Amy Rae Dunn, right.
Mike Hickman, who played Ricky Ricardo, with Wendy Hopper, center, and Courtney Kohlhepp.
Mary Jane and Greg Locke
John Sheridan with his wife, Carol, who was chairman of Cabaret 2012.
From left are producer/writer Chester McCurry, choreographer Brooke East, director Jonathan East, and assistant producer/writer Tuck Atkins. McCurry and Atkins came in from California. The Easts have been working at Dollywood.
Keeping with the "I Love" theme, a huge heart hung over the dance floor in the tent that was set up on the terrace.
The dance floor filled up when the DJ put on The Electric Slide. It never fails.
