Many talented individuals from the Bradford area got a chance to
shine during the 49th annual Kiwanis Kapers, “Search for the
Stars,” Friday night.

Directed by Barb Pedersen and produced by Al Bean and Todd
Peine, this year’s show followed a variety show format – with
singing, dancing and even bagpipe playing – in the new Bradford
Area High School auditorium.

The show opened with red carpet goers, hosts Peine, Karen
Buchheit and Ron Yeager (and “intern” Hilary Digel), who presented
and interviewed “celebrities from around the world” set to perform
right here on a Bradford stage. The paparazzi even swarmed the
stage on a couple of occasions.

After a chorus of Bradfordians performed “Let Me Entertain You,”
mother and daughter duo Dani and Brie Brien sang “For Good” from
“Wicked.” Next, cool crooner Keith Mayer sang Nat King Cole’s
“Unforgettable.”

The audience was treated to a large helping of Kapers-style
humor, with the Kiwanis Kuties – Fred Pysher, Bob Wichen and Mike
Clark – doing a hot tango number with three teen partners.

Casey Langianese belted out an energetic rendition of “You Light
Up My Life,” followed by a second mother-daughter duo. Rhonda and
Samantha Gray brought a tear to many-a-mothers’ eyes with “Happy
Girl,” by Martina McBride.

Nurse Linda Lamborn seemed to know laughter is the best
medicine, and had the audience rolling with her surgery-related
songs, too.

A definite stellar moment during “Search for the Stars” was
Painted Black’s “I Need You.” The trio of young women vocalists,
one of whom accompanied them on the guitar, pulled off their
harmony number without a hitch.

Sean Fox and Jim Wankel on bagpipes and drums drew a rousing
round of applause from the audience with their performance.

The kindergarten through second grade number, “Three Little
Fishes,” was another clear favorite of those attending Kapers,
inspiring several “awwws” with their happy song and clever
costumes.

“Steam Heat,” the teenage girls’ number, was a wonderful
illustration of the creativity and vision invested by this year’s
choreographer Ardyth Van Scoy.

Several other numbers were equally enjoyable and memorable,
including Chelsey Colosimo’s “Roxie” from “Chicago,” and Marissa
Buchheit’s powerful “Your Daddy’s Son,” from “Ragtime.”

Bean told The Era during intermission that about 500 people
turned out for Friday night’s show. Kapers will go on again at 7:30
p.m. tonight and at 2 p.m. Sunday at BAHS.