Renny Smith, Steve Bartlett and Jim Bauman, who are members of the SAIL Players, rehearse "Dad-Joke Intervention" together, in preparation for their performance in the War Memorial Building on Feb. 22. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — A new fundraiser will be filling the War Memorial Building with laughter on Feb. 22, at 6 p.m.

The first February Follies Dinner Theatre will be held by a group of Shepherdstown Area Independent Living (SAIL) members, to raise money for SAIL.

“February Follies will be a fun-filled evening of entertainment, with a dinner theater, presented by the SAIL Players,” said SAIL representative Carolee Youngblood. “This is a community-wide fundraiser to benefit SAIL, a nonprofit organization serving older adults in the greater Shepherdstown area. SAIL’s mission is to enable its members to remain active, connected, independent and in their homes and community as long as possible.

“SAIL is one of nearly 300 villages in the national Village to Village Network, all organized by older adults to support each other as they age in their own homes,” Youngblood said. “SAIL is the only village in West Virginia and is recognized as a model for others organizing in non-urban areas.”

According to Youngblood, the February Follies Dinner Theatre will feature the SAIL Players performing a one-act comedy play, “Dad-Joke Intervention,” written by playwright and children’s book author Wade Bradford. Bradford has a master’s degree in literature and has been an English professor at Moorpark College, in Los Angeles, for the past 20 years.

“The play opens with a typical living room scene: a good, old-fashioned dad sitting in a comfy chair reading a good, old-fashioned newspaper. However, things quickly take a turn for the absurd when Mrs. Wright, a professional and serious-looking person, enters the room and is subjected to a barrage of cheesy jokes and puns,” Youngblood said. “As the family enters, it becomes clear that there is a need for a ‘Dad Joke Intervention.’ Can she help, or is this family doomed to be forever subjected to the dad’s endless supply of terrible jokes?”

SAIL member and retired professional opera singer David Rampy will direct the play. The cast will include: Steve Bartlett, as the dad; Renny Smith, as the wife; Sheila Vertino, as the eldest daughter, Peggy; Leah Rampy, as the youngest daughter, Betty; Jim Bauman, as the disgruntled son, Jerry; and Linda Spatig, as the interventionist, Mrs. Wright.

“Don’t miss this side-splitting, funny play that is sure to leave the audience in tears (or groans) of laughter,” Youngblood said. “Come one, come all!”

The event will also include a sit-down meal, which Youngblood said will be catered by MJ’s on German DeliCafe. Wine and beer will also be available for attendees to enjoy, for a cash donation.

A silent auction will be held during the event.

Seating is limited, and tickets are selling fast, according to Youngblood. Tickets cost $50 per-person or $350 for a table with eight seats. To make a reservation, call 304-870-7245. RSVP by Feb. 18.

For more information about the February Follies Dinner Theatre and SAIL, visit www.shepherdstownsail.org.