Virus Theater in association with Only the Best Productions presents the $1.98 Show 2016 as a benefit for El Sol Performing Arts Center. Come see Silver City's raunchiest and most ridiculous talents in this year's revival of the $1.98 Show, which will include familiar faces from past $1.98 shows as well as fresh blood. The talents run far, wide, skimpy and glittery, and will entice your interest with everything from lip-syncing glory to gold Speedos. There will be singers, dancers, stand-up comedians, actors, political satire, drag queens and kings, skits and burlesque. The $1.98 motto is "We apologize in advance if we fail to offend you!"

This year's show is a revival, as $1.98 has been dormant for 8 years after a long run as Silver City's beloved and racy variety show fundraiser. The $1.98 Drag Show and Competition started in 1997 as a Valentine's Day weekend event for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community of Grant County. Each year the show doubled in attendance and ended up being performed in the Fine Arts Center Theatre (FACT) at Western New Mexico University (WNMU), where all 1,000 seats sold out. After several years, a nonprofit called Southwest Activities Network Society (SWANS) was started so that monies raised could be distributed to Grant County organizations. Over the years of the show's run, over $35,000 was given back to the community, supporting the Music/Drama/Art departments for Silver City and Cliff High Schools, Penny Park, Gila Regional Medical Center and Cancer Center, Literacy Link Leamos, Silver City Library, First Born Program, Mimbres Regional Youth Mural Project and other organizations. Funds raised also supported community individuals with an Emergency Loan program that assisted with monetary help for people in need.

Ward Rudick has come out of $1.98 retirement to revive the character of Miss A'Gusssta Wind, the show's MC, along with her long lost brother by another mother, Mr. Brake Wind, played by Janey Katz. "This year I've committed to the project in support of the renovations of the El Sol Theater, which was one of the six movie theaters my mother's family ran in the 1920's through the 1960's here in Grant County. The project is personal as well as exciting as a performer. It will be wonderful having a new smaller, intimate venue in Silver City!" says Ward Rudick, AKA Miss A'Gusssta Wind. "I've been wanting to join Teresa Dahl-Bredine and Virus Theater for many years. Due to other production commitments and competing schedules, I was never able to participate. Now it's such a pleasure working with Teresa as co-producers and co-directors of the $1.98 Show 2016!" says Rudick.

Virus Theater is known for their original live theater work, and have been producing theatrical performances in Silver City for over 20 years. "Virus Theater's mission is to bring relevant live theater to our community," says Virus Theater Artistic Director Teresa Dahl-Bredine, "so it's a no-brainer to put on a performance to raise money to bring El Sol Performing Arts Center to life!"

In the fall of 2015, Virus Theater began fundraising efforts to renovate downtown Silver City's El Sol Theater into El Sol Performing Arts Center. When renovations are complete, El Sol will be a high quality performing arts center, poised to host local and traveling performers as well as performing arts educational programs. The campaign for El Sol began with a blast last fall at the El Sol Soiree, during which Virus Theater presented its vision for El Sol and the local community donated generously to support the first stages of the theater's renovations. "Virus Theater is amazed at the support and excitement of our community, and honored to help bring to life our community's dream for a beautiful performing arts space downtown," says Virus Theater Board President Kristen Warnack. Virus Theater is aiming for a 2017 opening date for the theater, "or sooner if we possibly can!" says Dahl-Bredine.

Only the Best Productions and Virus Theater invite you to join in, enjoy the fun and madness, and be part of supporting performing arts in Silver City!

JUST THE FACTS, FOLKS:
The $1.98 Show 2016
Location:
WNMU's Fine Arts Center Theatre, 1000 West College Ave Silver City, NM
Dates and Times:
Friday, February 12, 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 13, 7:30 pm

Tickets are $10-$25
Buy your tickets at Yada Yada Yarn at 621 N. Bullard St. and Little Toad Creek Brewery and Distillery at 200 N. Bullard St. Tickets are priced as follows:
$25 Orchestra reserved seating rows A-K
$15 Orchestra General Open Seating Rows L-T
$10 Orchestra General Open Seating Rows U, V, W
$15 Balcony General Open Seating Rows A-D
$10 Balcony General Open Seating Rows E-H

Rated R, appropriate for those ages 18 and up, no minors allowed.
For more information, email virustheater@gmail.com