Northstar Chorus Annual Show, 1986

Story Synopsis:   At the turn of the century in a bar in New orleans, two brothers, Sam and Jeremiah Cohan, eyed each other through the smoke as they sat across the poker table from one another.  the stakes were high.  They were playing for the ownership of their father's railroad-- the Overland Express.  It was the worst rail line in the business.  Jermiah Cohan lost the hand and had to take over ownership of the overland Express.  J. C. Cohan decided to try to save the business.  he ran the train himself, and, as engineer/owner, he started rebuilding the reputation of the line.  One of his biggest innovations was the introduction of a barbeshop chorus on board the train to entertain the passengers during their trip.  But now, thirty years later, Cohan pulls out of the station for the last time.  During this fateful ride, Jeremiah disappears and is presumed to be killed.  Curiously, one of the passengers is Wilma Cogwell, owner of the cometitive rail line,  Cogwell Enterprises has been trying to buy the Express, but cohan won't sell.  Would she be crazy enough to kill him for the railway?  Wouldn't that be aloco-motive?  So sit back in your Pullman and enjoy the chorus as you become Alabamy Bound in the Murder on the Barbershop Express.

Title:                   Murder on the Barbershop Express

Author:               John Barrett

Location:          I. A. O'Shaughnessy Auditorium

Date:                February 22, 1986

Headliner(s):    Northern Comfort

                           Happiness Emporium

Other Quartets: Night Howls

                            Rain 'N' Shine

                            For Your Pleasure

Characters:        Samuel T. Pickins    Max Parks

                            Amy Finlesteen        Mary Lou Gilstad

                            Gloria Finklesteen    Corrine Schauer

                            Wilma Cogwell        Diane Arndt

                            James                       Denny Brown

                            Columbus                 Bob Delamatre

                            Hobo                        John Barrett

                            J.C. Cohan                Bernie Adams

Chorus Songs:    Alabamy Bound

                            Show Me Where The Good Times Are

                            Who'll Take My Place When I'm Gone?

                            If The Lord Be Willin'

                            Bring Back Those Days (of the Song and Dance Man)

                            Brother can you spare a dime?

                            Toot Toot Tootsie

                            -----------

                            Who'll Be the Next One to Cry Over You?

                            My Lady Loves to Dance

Memorable Line from Show:

Sam:  They broke the lantern over his skull.

Wilma:  It appears someone bashed his lights out.

James:  I'll bet he feels light headed.