Comedy, singing and instrument playing all will be a part of the Branson, Mo.,-based Ozark Jubilee performance Sunday at the Wagon Wheel Theatre in Warsaw.
The eight-member cast will sing, tell jokes and play instruments in its musical variety show Sunday at 2 p.m. at the theater.
This is the first time the cast will perform in Indiana and they are excited.
"Our friends, The Oakridge Boys, told us about the Wagon Wheel Theatre, and it sounded like a fun place to perform so we thought we would give it a try," said cast member Randy Newman in a phone interview Monday afternoon.
Newman has been an Ozark Jubilee cast member for the past 12 years. He plays the violin and is a comedian in the show.
The group was founded in 1977 and has performed hundreds of shows across the United States.
Songs the group performs range from artists such as Merle Haggard and George Jones to Tammy Wynette and Patsy Cline.
"People of all ages like to visit Branson, so in watching the show it brings the town to them instead of driving 500 miles to experience Branson," Newman said.
He said the cast's audience typically is 45 years old and older.Newman plays the violin and has performed with acts such as Ronnie Milsap, Jimmie Rogers, Johnny Rodriguez and Mel Tillis.
Headlining the Ozark Jubilee is fiddler Doofus Doolittle. Decked out in a rhinestone suit, he plays the violin and fiddle.
After doing several shows with Nashville Act Porter Wagoner, Porter invited Doofus to be a special guest on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn.
Newman described Doofus as a cross between Hee-Haw and Larry the Cable Guy.
Other cast members include Steve Ritchey, who is in his second year with the Ozark Jubilee; and Tyler Hall, who is in his second year with the Ozark Jubilee and plays the steel guitar.
Rick McCuen, on the bass guitar, is new this year to the cast. McCuen has worked with artists including Silver Dollar City, Jim Stafford and George Jones.
Jory Clayton serves as musical director and has been with the group for 10 years.
Dave Watson has the male vocalist spot, and Rachelle Lamb is the female vocalist.
People can purchase tickets for Sunday's show for $28 at the Wagon Wheel Theater box office, 2517 E. Center St., Warsaw, or online at www.wagonwheeltheatre.com
