Once upon a time, in the little town of DP, Illinois, there lived a little girl who was given the honor of being named student director of V‑Show. It was at that very moment that she asked herself, "What is a V‑ Show?" After 857 hours of frequent but constant meditation, unable to resolve the problem, she decided to gather 13 of the most knowledgeable, capable, talented, well‑organized, enthusiastic, confident, poised, and friendly people in the world, called them "the staff," and asked them, "What is a V‑ Show?"

"V‑Show," they answered in one large, articulated, projected, tumultuous roar, "V‑Show is a scrapbook whereupon the history of American Theatre comes to life through the dedication, patience, hard work, and love of 200 people ON STAGE!"

Then there arose among the people of the land a great sigh of relief, a cry of joy, for now they were to be witness to THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!

The 1972‑73 Maine West Variety Show, "Scraps," is over. Everyone's tears have dried; all the sets have been taken apart, assorted flowers, corsages, and bouquets have been dried, pressed, and put away.

Well, maybe the show is over, but as I, the staff, the cast and crews, and the audience knows, ITS MEMORY SHALL LIVE FOREVER! For its participants, V‑Show was an unforgettable experience. It was a chance to get up on The Stage once again (or maybe for the first time), and project them selves, extend their personalities by the creation of another, and perform. For the important behind‑the‑scenes people, V-Show was an opportunity to learn: which levers and buttons in the lighting and sound booth control the color, number, intensity, and use of LIGHTS and SOUND; how one can successfully apply MAKEUP to a fidgety performer; the method of detailed planning, measuring, and creativeness that needs be in the construction of a SET and COSTUMES; the coordination, timing, and precision that must be practiced to result in the perfection of a sparkling musical background; and the concentration and planning required by STAGE and PROPS CREWS to help create the total picture of the show.

V‑Show for me was the chance to scream, cry, laugh, joke, mingle, be up, be down; encourage creativity and watch it develop. So what can I say about V‑Show that hasn't been said? I enjoyed every minute of it!