Weekly program brings out the performer in talented residents
By Keith Gamboa
It started about five years ago, as Laurice Cutajar, a former piano teacher, was tickling the ivories on an old, upright piano in the lobby of the St. Clair restaurant.
“I was just playing one day,” says Laurice, “when Charles O’Rourke came over and said, ‘I’ll sing, if you’ll play.’”
The show took off from there! Soon, more and more people joined in the singing.
“It grew to about 20-30 people, so a karaoke system was added,” says Bob Sprague, who often emcees the festivities and sings a song or two. “Next thing you know, rows of chairs were being set up, we had a baby grand piano, and a sound system was installed. Now we have 70-100 people who attend, and it’s a regular Saturday night event. Lori built this up into a great thing that people look forward to!”
Let the countdown begin!
According to Charles, who also doubles as a master of ceremonies, when he first started to sing with Laurice in the lobby, “There were card players playing there at the time, and we kind of annoyed them.”
But now the performers don’t run into that any more, since Saturday Night Live is an established institution from 7-8:00 p.m. It usually begins with the MC leading a countdown (10-9-8-7-etc.), culminating with a boisterous “Lift off!”
Then the real fun begins. Sometimes the crowd starts off with rollicking renditions of Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here and I’ve Been Working On the Railroad, then announcements of birthdays and anniversaries. Charles may even ask, “Anybody planning a divorce?” to get the audience chuckling . . . and follow that up with a few jokes.