Phyllis’ Musical Revue and Fashion Show set for March at Madonna Inn
Local politicians in skits, 115 volunteer models, hometown talent and the latest in runway fashion will once again take the stage in a 90-minute show March 4-5 to benefit the Women’s Shelter Program of San Luis Obispo County.
Now in its 29th year, Phyllis’ Musical Revue and Fashion Show has raised about $3.5 million for the nonprofit program, including $217,129 last year and $200,251 in 2014. This year, the organizers’ goal is to raise $250,000.
The fundraiser now covers about 15 percent of the Women’s Shelter’s approximate $2 million annual operating budget — a significant percentage, Executive Director Marianne Kennedy said. In addition, she said, “because of the show, people hear about us and give us other donations through the year.”
The Women’s Shelter Program, which was established in 1977, seeks to help victims of intimate partner abuse through counseling, emergency housing and other services.
Much of the program’s budget is tied to grants that restrict how the money can be spent, so the donation from Phyllis’ Musical Revue enables staff to help local residents directly — to help pay an individual’s rent security deposit or to get a credit report so a client can apply for housing, for example, Kennedy said.
“It fills in the needed cracks to serve our clients,” she said.
Madonna Inn owner and philanthropist Phyllis Madonna began the musical revue in 1987 to help those affected by domestic violence and child abuse in San Luis Obispo County.
As in past years, she helps produce the event with Cheri Humphrey, the inn’s retail manager. Pam Copeland assists Humphrey in the event’s production.
Once again, Madonna will kick off each performance with a song, “Music, Music, Music” by Stephen Weiss and Bernie Baum. This year’s theme: Shine On!
Each show features 23 segments — 11 song-and-dance acts and 12 modeling numbers. More than 400 volunteers play a role in staging the event.
“The energy of this year’s show is phenomenal,” Humphrey said.
How to get tickets
There are four shows March 4 and 5 at the Alex Madonna Expo Center located at the Madonna Inn.
Tickets are $70 per person ($80 for table seats along the ramp) for the 11 a.m. lunch shows March 4 and 5; $110 per person ($120 for ramp seats) for the March 4 dinner show; and $125 per person ($135 for ramp seats) for the March 5 dinner show. The dinner shows start at 5:30 p.m.
Music and dancing will follow the dinner shows.
For information, call 784-2441 or email cheri@madonnainn.com.
This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 7:39 PM with the headline "Phyllis’ Musical Revue and Fashion Show set for March at Madonna Inn."