Branson variety show raises funds for Operation Stand Down

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

The cast of All Hands On Deck! took to the stage of Lea Ledger Auditorium on Saturday afternoon to perform highlights of their full-length show for a modest crowd. 
The show, based at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in Branson, Mo., came to Central Texas and Copperas Cove for a cause, that of helping homeless veterans via Operation Stand Down Central Texas. 
This is the second time the show has performed to help raise funds for OSDCT, with their prior appearance being last Father’s Day weekend at Temple’s Cultural Activities Center. 
The event helped supplement the funds for OSDCT, which holds “stand downs” twice per year to help homeless veterans in the Central Texas area.
“I am glad so many (not as many as I would have liked) came out and enjoyed a great show,” said Joann Courtland, director of OSDCT. “We did not make anywhere near as much as last  year but we made a little. But that is not always what is important, we got people talking about the show and about OSDCT.” 
She said the expense to bring the show to Copperas Cove was worth it. 
The nearly two-hour show featured a lineup of 1940s era songs performed by a quartet of singers, dancers and comics along with a nine-piece orchestra. 
Prior to the intermission, show creator Jody Madaras paused to talk about why he and his cast and crew came to Copperas Cove. He thanked Joann Courtland and her mother, Trudy Bolton, with OSDCT, for the opportunity.
“This is our second time, and I hope we can be with you for many, many years so we can help get these veterans what they need.”
Madaras, who worked on Broadway for almost 26 years, said he left Broadway to create his own show, based on the traveling caravans selling war bonds during the height of World War II. 
“I realized I wanted to write a show that showcases a time when our country was fully united, and that’s 1942,” Madaras said. “In my research of 1942, one of the keys I found with the United States, that every citizen felt they could contribute something to the nation.” 
Also during the intermission, Madaras recognized audience members who served in the military, branch by branch.
Among them was Sid Steele, who made the trek to Copperas Cove to see the show. Steele is a Korean War era veteran who served in the Air Force. 
“It’s a wonderful show. I loved it,” Steele said. “This is the third time I’ve seen it. I’ve seen them in Branson, then over in Temple, and now here.”
Courtland said her organization is already gearing up for the spring Stand Down, set for Saturday, April 28, from 9 a.m. until to 3 p.m. at the National Guard Armory in Killeen.