Gridiron show set for March

By the Tulsa World Staff Reports; Michael Wyke; Stephen Pingrey

The press club's annual parody show takes aim at local and national public figures. The Tulsa Press Club Gridiron Show will take its annual potshots at politicians and other public figures in its 72nd Gridiron Show, "Tulsa Vision, Tar Creek and Other Weapons of Mass Construction," March 4-5 at the Tulsa Scottish Rite theater, 6355 E. Skelly Drive.

This year's cast includes local singers Cindy Cain, Rebecca Ungerman and Ronnie Furr, Tulsa first lady Kathy LaFortune and Tulsa World columnists David Averill and Jason Ashley Wright. Director is Ken Spence, and music director is Sonny Gray.

The show, written and performed by Press Club members, features skits and song parodies skewering state, local and national politicians as well as entertainment and sports celebrities. University of Tulsa football coach Steve Kragthorpe will receive the Golden Roasting Ear Award as guest of honor at the March 5 dinner show.

This year's show also features a "Grand Old Fellows" skit starring Gridiron veterans, many of whom will be coming out of "retirement" to perform.

This will be the first year for the Gridiron to be produced in the 600-seat Scott Rite Scottish Rite theater.

"I can't promise this will help the actors remember their lines any better, but the audience will definitely be able to see and hear them," said Tulsa Press Club Educational and Charitable Trust President D.J. Morrow Ingram.

	The show benefits the trust, which provides scholarships for area college students. Tickets are $10 for the March 4 performance. The dinner featuring Kragthorpe is $75 for Press Club members and $100 for nonmembers. Tickets for the March 5 show only may also be purchased for $10. Students with a college ID will be admitted to either show for $5.
Tickets may be purchased from the Tulsa Press Club, 415 S. Boulder Boston Ave.; Steve's Sundry Books & Magazines, 2612 S. Harvard Ave.; and all Mathis Brothers Evans furniture locations.

(From left) David Averill,Ronnie Furr, Angela Smith and Sonny Gray prepare for Gridiron 2004 “Tulsa Vision, Tar Creek and Other Weapons of Mass Construction,” a humorous look at the issues, events and personalities of power and prestige at City Hall, the Governor’s mansion, the Oval Office and Capitol Hill.