Rivercity Revue brings 'the young sound'

Ruth Sauerbrunn-Winstead of Rivercity Revue sings, acts, directs, writes and designs and sews costumes. Just exactly how talented is she? Those who attend the Valentine's Day dinner theater Feb. 14 at the Osage Centre will find out.

The dinner theater will be an original production Sauerbrunn-Winstead wrote. It will include music, sound effects and a skit modeled after the radio shows of the 1940s. Sharing the stage will be her husband Dean, bluegrass and folk singers Ken and Janelle Burch and Kathy Waggoner, who sings country and big band-era music.

Dean has experience being on stage with some of country music's greats -- George Jones and Tammy Wynette, for example.

After holding a dinner theater-type event in her barn in August with about 80 people, event coordinator Mary Rechenberg desired to expand the revue's productions. Everyone had a good time, she said, and people said, "We have to do this at a bigger place."

Such entertainment is needed in the area, she said, and she wanted to make it happen.

Ruth Sauerbrunn-Winstead poses for a photo Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

Kathy Waggoner, left, and Ruth Sauerbrunn-Winstead pose for a photo Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

"The community needs some kind of entertainment in a smoke-free atmosphere," Rechenberg said. She said Cape Girardeau has "lots of dances, but in smoky atmospheres, which many people cannot tolerate." The event at the Osage Centre will provide entertainment, but without the smoke.

'I like to entertain'

Sauerbrunn-Winstead agrees with the need for the entertainment she loves to bring.

"I think that Cape needs a dinner theater, and I think Cape needs a nonsmoking dinner theater," she said.

She says many people have stressed that need.

Ruth Sauerbrunn-Winstead poses for a photo Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

"I like to entertain. I like to play characters. I sew costumes." The combination of those talents provides the ingredients for an entertaining evening.

After seeing Sauerbrunn-Winstead perform, Rechenberg knew just who could make it all come together. The two connected through Sauerbrunn-Winstead's sister, with whom Mary attended high school. "We just got together and said, 'Let's do it!'" Rechenberg wouldn't let up after they talked.

Rechenberg's goal for the dinner is to "have a good time" and share Sauerbrunn-Winstead's talent.

"I know she is good. ... I believe in her," Rechenberg said.

As the visionary, Rechenberg is taking care of the planning, catering and decorating. And she's leaving the show in Sauerbrunn-Winstead's hands -- and Rivercity Revue.

Dean Winstead poses for a photo Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

In addition to dinner and a show replete with music and skits, some of those attending will win door prizes, and center pieces will be given away. The skits will pull in the audience as they step back in time and get prompted by lighted "applause" signs reminiscent of the good old days.

Sauerbrunn-Winstead appreciates Rechenberg reached out to her to do this show. Sauerbrunn-Winstead said she had been having a little trouble getting opportunities for a few years.

"No. 1, I'm a woman. No. 2, I'm 63 years old," and quickly added, "but I don't act it." She said "people want the young sound."

But the performer prides herself on her ability to put on a good show.

"I've been a singer all my life. ... I love to sing a lot of different styles." She went on to say she can do Patsy Cline. She can do blues, old soft rock from the '50s, '60s and '70s and she does different characters from the '80s. She does Pat Benatar and others. "I can make my voice do different things," she said.

Kathy Waggoner poses for a photo Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

The Valentine's Dinner Theater will include some old Broadway tunes such as "New York, New York" and "Cabaret." They will also do harmony, including an Everly Brothers song and Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were."

Dressing the part

Costuming is a highlight of each of the shows by Rivercity Revue. Rather than buying costumes, Sauerbrunn-Winstead prefers to sew her own.

She does things big. In fact, she said, "I'm a big woman. I'm six feet tall. ... I'm curvy. I'm just a big woman. So I like to design my own costumes."

And when attendees see her, they see someone who dresses a lot like legendary Mae West. Sauerbrunn-Winstead dons blond wigs, sequins and gloves.

Kathy Waggoner, left, Dean Winstead and Ruth Sauerbrunn-Winstead pose for a photo Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

"I kind of like that look because I'm big, and it fits me," she said.

So she takes old dresses from Goodwill, tears them apart and uses or adds sequins -- basically taking "something old and creating something new."

More than anything, Sauerbrunn-Winstead said, "I enjoy performing in front of a crowd. ... I have a wireless mic, and I go down through the audience, and I cling to people, which puts me in another place."

Acknowledging she's no spring chicken, Ruth still has no intention of slowing down.

"I want to be like Mick Jagger," she said, "70 and still rocking!"

The Valentine's Day dinner theater is Feb. 14 at the Osage Centre. Tickets are $25 for both the dinner and show and $10 for the show only. Dining room doors will open at 6 p.m. for dinner, which begins at 6:30 p.m. The production follows. Reservations must be made by Thursday. For reservations or more information, call 573-833-6509.

Pertinent address:

1625 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701