Varieties does the time warp

It's unique to Augustana. It's special. It shows Augustana community.

All these phrases, of course, are about Viking Varieties, one of many traditions that occur during the homecoming celebration.

This year, the 57th annual Viking Varieties show is going to immerse the audience into rock and roll and the glossy shine of the dark leather jackets of 1950s.

Although girls don't wear poodle skirts anymore and  boys (hardly) grease their hair, the 50's theme is going to declare, "these days are yours and mine."

"I love the 50s theme this year," senior Nathan Hults, one of the Masters of Ceremonies, said. "The theme is close to me because when I was a kid I had a cassette collection with the 50s greatest hits. I watched I Love Lucyand Happy Dayswith my family all the time."

Jayna Fitzsimmons, a co-director of the show, says each year they come up with new ideas for Viking Varieties.

This time, the theme of 1950s is leading the way and, just in case you broke your time machine, the Varieties cast will try to deliver the 50s spirit to the audience.

"Students work really hard. People bring to the table all the creativity," Fitzsimmons said.

Hults said he had a lot fun writing the opening bits with his co-host Grant Hooyer and Fitzsimmons. They put the show together in just a few weeks.

"Lots of practice is required in a very short period of time," Hults said. "This means long nights."

Sophomore Ally Jo Lloyd, a dancer in the show, said the cast sometimes spends up to four hours rehearsing.

"Sometimes I dance while sleeping," Lloyd said. "I hear the music in my dreams and start to move. My roommate is used to it and ignores it. ‘It's Varieties time,' she says."

Junior Grant Hooyer, another Master of Ceremonies, says the most difficult part of the Varieties preparation process is determining how well the bits they have written will "go over with the audience."

"We want to make sure everyone enjoys what we're doing," Hooyer said.

Junior Laura Foiles, the props coordinator and sound board operator, does her part in the show out of sight. She says she doesn't like to be on stage but finds it to be enjoyable to see how the show becomes a fully-realized production.

"It's fun to be behind the scenes," she said.

Hults and Hooyer, however, are almost always on the stage. With funny props in their hands and prepared jokes in their minds, they seem to enjoy every minute being the center of everybone's attention.

Hults said he experiences "an initial rush of adrenaline" when he steps onto the stage.

"The tingling in your body is almost unbearable, but then you get those first words out of your mouth and everything starts to work for you," Hults said.

Hooyer agreed. He said that right before the show he feels a little bit anxious, but then he is too busy with his lines to think about his feelings.

Lloyd is busy too, trying not to forget the steps of a group dance and words of a group song. Despite all the stress, she still calls herself one of the happiest people in the cast.

"I'm a happy dancer and I want to share my energy with the people coming to see us," she said. "I want people to clap with me."

"We are going to have as much fun as you guys," Fitzsimmons said.

Viking Varieties opened on Thursday and will be performed on Friday and Saturday at 7 and 9:15 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Edith Mortenson Center Theatre. Tickets are $8 for students and seniors and $12 for adults and can be purchased at www.augietickets.com.