YOUTH WILL BE SERVED AT ROUTE 25 HALL

Dozens of plays and movies have been written about waiters and waitresses, working to earn a living, yet dreaming of the spotlight. In the movies, the aspiring workers always get their big break.

Thanks to Mike Dumey, six area teenagers will get that same break three weekends this spring.

Dumey and signing partner Robyn Hosp have long been headlining at the Route 25 Banquet Hall in Jackson. The youths have gotten opportunities to entertain diners before the start of the main show, but have never had the spotlight.

The weekends of March 24-25, March 31-April 1 and April 7-8, Elizabeth Hooker, Casie Janet, McKenzie Price, Matt Brandt, Ben Carter and Casey Mueller will get that chance.

"They were always an essential ingredient in our show as signing waiters and waitresses," said Dumey, who taught most of the students during his years at Schultz Middle School in Cape Girardeau. "I'm very excited getting to showcase their talent."

The six teens will present "Music! Music! Music!!!" a fast-paced dinner showcase, featuring a number of show tunes, various medleys and some dance numbers.

Most of the six have been working for Dumey the past four years.

"It was kind of a shock," said Carter. "We've been working (as singing waiters) since seventh grade. After the shows we'd mess around on the mic, on stage. We had a joke between us and Mike that some day we'd take over the show. Now we are."

The performers just began working on their material last week, but have impressed Dumey with their quick progress. The showcase includes a wide variety of music, from classic rock to old show tunes, to patriotic and country songs. Work on the show is coming between a myriad of school activities and work.

"They're all very busy," Dumey said, noting that most are involved in the musicals "My Fair Lady" at Cape Central and "Once Upon a Mattress" at Notre Dame, as well as work and school.

"I'm real happy the way it's going," Dumey said Tuesday. "They're all so busy that to pull this out in roughly 10 rehearsals will be a challenge. If they were not as talented as they are, I would never even attempt it."

"We know we're filling big shoes," said Price. "Mike taught us everything we know. We just want to get up there and make him proud."

"It's an honor," Brandt said.

"I'm amazed at the responsibility of each of them," Dumey said. "You hear so much in the media about the negative things young people do. Here's a really positive thing they're doing. It's so refreshing to see it."

The show will include a modern medley with such tunes as Celebration, Fame, Pretty Woman and If You Asked Me To, and Ma, He's Making Eyes at Me. A movie medley including At the Movies, Happy Trails to You, You Made Me Love You, Dancing Cheek to Cheek, I Won't Dance and Steppin' Out, follows.

What's New, Better Days and Girls Just Want to Have Fun will precede a rock medley including Rock and Roll is Here to Stay, Surfin Safari, Hang on Sloopy, Let's Hang On, Johnny Angel, Go Away Little Girl, Little Old Lady from Pasadena and Leader of the Pack.

After en entertaining rendition of the Blues Brothers' Soul Man by Carter and Brandt, the first set ends with a Grease medley, featuring Hopelessly Devoted to You, You're the One That I Want, Greased Lightning and Summer Nights.

The second set includes a Broadway medley, featuring selections from "Oklahoma!", "My Fair Lady," "South Pacific," "Hello Dolly," "Phantom of the Opera," "Evita," "Music Man," and "Annie." Several country songs and patriotic tunes will wrap up the night, including a finale of America the Beautiful.

The dinner shows are $16.95 on Fridays, featuring an all-you-can-eat catfish fry and $18.95 on Saturdays, featuring a double-entree buffet. The showcase is two hours both nights, with the buffet opening at 6:30 p.m. Reservations may be made at 651-1060.