THEATER

Valentine to raise funds to the tunes of ABBA

Singers with the ABBA tribute band will have the crowd bouncing at the Valentine Gala on Saturday night in downtown Toledo.

What better way to celebrate your 15th annual fund-raising gala than with the music of ABBA?

People will dance, sing, cavort, and break out in big goofy smiles when they hear “Dancing Queen,” “Take A Chance on Me,” and, of course, “Mamma Mia” at the Valentine Theatre Saturday night for the downtown venue’s big fund-raising event.

Tickets cost $125, which includes dinner and a concert by Waterloo, the Band, and $75 for the concert only. This isn't just any ABBA cover act, though, because it includes musicians who were in the original band that backed the four singers who drove the group during its massive popularity in the '70s and '80s.

Matt Lentz, the Valentine's marketing director, said the event is a fun way for the historic 410 Adams St. theater to raise money for operating expenses, equipment purchases, and other necessities to keep the Valentine running.

“Financially it’s very important to us as far as operating expenses throughout the year,” he said. “It’s a hearty percentage of our annual fund-raising.”

Folks who attend should wear business attire or if they're brave enough, deck themselves out in ’70s-era disco regalia. For tickets and information, call 419-242-2787. Dining, a cash bar, and dessert start at 6 p.m. The concert, a cash bar, and dessert — along with dancing — will start at 8 p.m.

Kreskin

The Amazing Kreskin, who performs Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre in Tiffin, has a lot riding on his appearance. Members of the audience will be asked to hide the check he received for his show, and he will use his mentalist powers to find it. If he can’t, he will forfeit his fee.

And, there are “rumors” that the Ritz Theater is haunted, which gives Amazing Kreskin the chance to cause “sightings” of those spirits by audience members on stage.

Kreskin has appeared on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, the Merv Griffin Show, the Late Show with David Letterman, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Children 10 and under will not be admitted to the show.

Tickets, $10-$25, are available at the theater box office, 30 S. Washington St., Tiffin; at 419-448-8544, or online at www.ritztheatre.org.

Gift to Croswell

Julianne Argyros, president of the Argyros Family Foundation, has announced a gift of $1 million to the Croswell Opera House’s capital campaign. The Adrian theater, celebrating its 150th anniversary of bringing arts, entertainment, and educational programs to Adrian, plans to raise at least $3.5 million to make technical improvements to the theater, increase programming, build long-term financial sustainability, and preserve its heritage.

The Argyros Family Foundation was founded by Julianne and George Argyros of Newport, Calif. Mrs. Argyros is an Adrian native and a graduate of Adrian High School who made her stage debut at the Croswell as part of the performing arts program of Adrian Schools.

Mr. Argyros is the former U.S. ambassador to Spain, and a prominent businessman in southern California.

Mrs. Argyros also has announced a donation of $1 million to the Adrian Public Schools Educational Foundation Arts Endowment.

The Croswell has raised more than $1.2 million toward its campaign goal.

Send theater news two weeks in advance to Sue Brickey at sbrickey@theblade.com.