Alaska Home Companion variety show performance set for Sunday in Willow

WILLOW — The Alaska Home Companion is wrapping up their seventh season for another “Frontier Variety Show” at the Willow Public Library Sunday at 2 p.m. The public is invited to witness compelling, wacky and uniquely Alaskan storytelling, much like their inspiration, NPR’s “Prairie Home Companion.”

Each year, the folks at Valley Arts Alliance produce a handmade homage to the “golden age of radio.” The performers will get on stage, most in costume, and entertain audiences with stories, skits, dances and music.

Executive director of the VAA Carmen Summerfield said that they write new material every year and try to localize their material to each venue they perform at. They’ve already showed in Wasilla and Sutton and Willow is the last stop.

“Each one is a little different because we try to update with what’s happened,” Summerfield said.

Summerfield said that each year, they try to include topical material that can be used on stage. She said that a majority of the content is usually comedic in nature but it’s open to all kinds of material. The 7.0 earthquake from Nov. 30, 2018 was ripe for writing inspiration, according to Summerfield, especially since no one was seriously hurt.

“We’re very thankful that nobody got hurt during the earthquake and we’re trying to find some humor in living through a 7.0 earthquake in Alaska,” Summerfield said.

That source material is clearly viable to the whole Valley since the quake shook the whole state. Summerfield said that they will open the floor for the public to share their quake stories for a brief segment, “especially if they’re funny.”

“We make fun of everybody and ourselves especially. And we keep doing that it hasn’t changed,” Summerfield said.

Summerfield said that humor is often one of the best ways to deal with serious situations. What sort of skits did the VAA write about the quake? Summerfield said, “You have to come to the show.”

There is a suggested donation for $15 at the door and donations will go to the Willow Library Association. For more information, call: 907- 746-2370.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com