VIPs Eureka Springs, Arkansas Style!

VIPs Light-Blue About Performing In
Chamber’s “Aqua Comedy Show”

Ott, Caldwell, Rundel, Scarpino
Virtual Insanity Players (VIPs), Eureka Springs’ premiere improvisational comedy troupe, have, after weeks of intense negotiations, signed a binding contract to appear at the Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce’s “The First (and Maybe the Last) Eureka Springs Aqua Comedy Show.” The curtain goes up on the benefit show on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. on the Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down stage.

“I could not be happier about this contract being signed,” stated Ken Rundel, the director of the VIPs. “Who woulda thought that someone in our troupe could write!?!”

Other members of the troupe are Annunziata Scarpino, Carmen Caldwell, and Bill Ott. “To date we have already entertained crowds in a two-county area. Count ‘em. Two,” explained Ott. “And everyone who attended our performances had a wonderful time.”

The “Aqua Show” will also feature stand-up comedy and music from local talent.

“It seems everyone is still suffering from cabin fever despite recent glimpses of spring. So we thought we would plan an event for locals to help lighten the mood going into the tourism season,” said Chamber Vice-President Lisa Liggett. “The proceeds of the night’s event will be used to supplement the Economic Development budget of the Chamber. All entertainers are donating their time.”


 “We’re donating our time?” squeeked Rundel upon hearing the pro bono news flash. “I guess that’s what we get for signing a binding contract without reading it. That’s okay. We’ll still bring our ‘A’ game. And remember kids, ‘Reading Is Fundemental.’”

The Ozark Mountain Hoe Down also has donated the space for the performance.

When asked about the “Aqua” tag in the title of the event, Liggett revealed that the evening would carry a PG-13 rating and may not be entirely suitable for families with small children. “No vulgar language, or other inappropriate behavior. I guarantee it won’t be blue. But aqua? We’ll just have to see.”

Gloria Stevens, Chamber Visitor Information Center Manager, stated, “You tend to kid the ones you love. So we’ll be lampooning locals, tourists and others who regularly touch our lives in an effort to paste some grins on our hard working audience, those front-line employees who are the life-blood of our local tourism industry. Plus, everyone needs a little laughter before going into a tourism season full throttle.”

Stevens went on to say, “All we hear from the media these days is gloom and doom. We’ll show them otherwise by having a great turnout that Tuesday evening”

Tickets for the evening are $10 per person and are available at the Chamber of Commerce.

What: The First (and Maybe the Last) Eureka Springs Aqua Comedy Show
Who: Local comedians and performers
When: Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Ozark Mountain Hoe Down
How Much: $10 per person
Why: To lighten the mood and to replenish the Chamber’s Economic Developement budget