Cast bringing ‘USO Show’ to stage Saturday

Daryl Gloshen doesn’t just want to play the part of Bob Hope, he wants people to believe it.

“People told me I was a spitting image of Bob Hope, but I think they were just making fun of my nose,” Gloshen said, laughing.

What began as a joke has led Gloshen to performing as Hope in USO shows for the past six years. A Wellsville native, Gloshen will bring his talent to his hometown with the second annual Bob Hope USO Show, which will take place at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday at the Pleasant Valley School District No. 2, 3905 Thomas Rd.

The cast and audience both dressed in their 1940s apparel at last year’s performance, and Gloshen said it made his homecoming even more meaningful.

“Sitting in that little valley was just beautiful,” he said. “It really felt like a 1940s community gathering, and that’s kind of a lost thing around the country today. It was special to me because everyone was playing the part.”

Gloshen has spent a lot of time researching Hope and his characteristics. Others portray people like Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney and Frances Langford.

“We try to find jokes that fit the community and the times of today,” he said. “There’s a lot of historical material that reflects what is going on today.”

Jeanine Berrier, who helped organize the event, said a menu of pork burgers, baked beans, homemade pie and other items will be served before each performance. Adult tickets will be $10 in advance and $12 at the door, while children ages 10 and under will pay $5 in advance and $7 at the door.

“It’s pretty cheap for dinner and a show,” she said. “Your kids will get a chance to see how we grew up. We use hay bales for seats and eat outside. It’s a lot like the ’40s with people hanging around talking afterward, and that doesn’t happen much anymore.”

For Gloshen, the show is all about the audience.

“The roar of the laughter, the audience singing along when we sing patriotic songs ... You can feel the emotion, feel the electricity,” he said. “It brings back a lot of good memories for people.”

Berrier said proceeds from the shows would go to the upkeep of the one-room school, which was added to the National Registry of Historical Places in 2004. Tickets can be purchased from Berrier at (785) 883-2559 or (785) 883-4079 or from the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce at (785) 594-3200.