So much ‘crazy stuff’ happened in the news, it’s hard for Gridiron to choose its targets
When the writer-performers for the annual Gridiron show start their work in January, there are so many potential targets for the performance — a musical spoof show in the vein of “Saturday Night Live” — that the media folks themselves can’t keep track.
“We know this show comes up every year, and every time something Gridiron-related happens in the news it goes in the file,” said Jessica DeVader from Visit Wichita, a longtime performer and former newsperson at KSN. “Every year we get together and brainstorm.”
“It’s amazing how many news stories are spit out every day and how many stories you just forget happened or how many things you didn’t hear about altogether,” added Suzanne Perez from KMUW.
The 55th Gridiron, which pokes fun at local and national news events and also raises scholarship funds for journalism students, returns to Roxy’s Downtown for three performances this weekend.
“We do it because it’s a lot of fun, but really it’s just great to do this show every year and know so many people benefit from it,” DeVader said.
Writing Gridiron, DeVader said, is as enjoyable as performing.
“One thing we never lack for is material,” she said. “I don’t think there’s ever been a year when we get together to write this show and think, ‘Not enough crazy stuff has happened around Wichita.’”
That will include a dig at Spirit AeroSystems for the faulty airline plane doors, as well as the election of a media veteran – Lily Wu, formerly of KAKE and KWCH – as mayor.
“We’ll have some mayor spoofing,” Perez said.
“The former mayor (Brandon Whipple) and the current mayor will prominently be featured,” said longtime Gridiron star Ted Woodward, morning show host at KNSS.
National politics, especially the upcoming presidential elections, will be targeted as well.
“Our two young, youthful candidates will certainly get their due,” Woodward said.
The number of performers have increased this year, with the addition of media folks including Max Dutton from KWCH, Pilar Pedraza from KAKE and several of Perez’s colleagues from KMUW.
“We have an all-male number that’s going to bring down the house. Musically it’s very well-done and it’s got amazing choreography,” DeVader said.
“And it features one of the big songs you might have seen at the Oscars,” Woodward added.
There’s more popular music on stage this year, DeVader said, for the edition that’s subtitled “Taylor-Made.”
“Traditionally we stick to popular showtunes, but we’ve got a Taylor Swift song this year and more songs,” she said.
And Bonnie Bing, longtime Wichita Eagle columnist and part of the revue since 1976, will return as a crowd-pleasing favorite.
“The Fairy Tale Princess will be back,” said Bing, who is also this year’s emcee. “She’s very ornery this year. I don’t know what’s up with the old girl.”
Bing, she noted, is the second-oldest performer on stage, younger than Gridiron mainstay Bucky Walters.
Roxy’s is hosting Gridiron for the fourth time this year. Artistic director Rick Bumgardner is directing the show, and longtime performer Jenny Mitchell is the choreographer.
“I think it’s the perfect venue,” DeVader said. “It’s really intimate, and there’s great service thanks to Rick, and there’s no rental, so all the money can go to scholarships.”
Dinner-and-show packages are available, and this year will feature the introduction of several themed cocktails, including the “Bitchitan,” a margarita with extra salt that’s extra sour and very tart.
“It really doesn’t matter what’s in it,” DeVader said, “because you’ll complain about it anyway.”
GRIDIRON
When: 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, March 21-23
Where: Roxy’s Downtown, 412 ½ E. Douglas
Tickets: $45 for show only, $60 with dinner, from wichitagridiron.com, roxysdowntown.com or 316-265-4400
