Variety show set for March

It's not every day you get to see your dad dress as Marilyn Monroe.

But that's just part of the spectacle that is the Ashland Musical Variety Show.

The 15th running of the show is March 19-21 at the Blackwell Auditorium on the Randolph-Macon College campus.

The show's theme -- "Our Ashland Grand Celebration" -- continues last year's festivities in honor of Ashland's 150th anniversary, said Barbara Boor, public relations chairwoman for the show.

"The songs are all about celebrating," she said. "There isn't any [song] in there that you wouldn't want to get up and dance to."

Mechanicsville residents Ariel Koenig, 11, and her dad, Philip, are first-time participants this year.

They're part of the more than 3,000 performers, set designers and others working behind the scenes.

The Koenigs are in three numbers together, as well as performing separately. Ariel is hoping to have a solo from the movie "Grease," while her dad will do his best Marilyn impersonation and perform in another piece called "Flip Cards."

The proceeds from the show go to the Hanover Arts & Activities Center, which promotes the arts community throughout the county.

Philip Koenig said he and his daughter been practicing a few nights a week since mid-January. One of the pieces they're both performing is "Supercalifragilistic" from the movie "Mary Poppins."

Ariel said that's the one piece that gets her dad tongue-tied. "He has a solo and he doesn't know the words," she said, but she added that she's confident he'll remember in time for the show.

"Hopefully I won't be too nervous," Philip Koenig said. "But no matter what, it's going to be a great experience with my daughter."

Contact Holly Prestidge at (804) 649-6945 or .