News Release
THE ANNISTON STAR
October 16, 2003
Pets, duets at the Ritz
by Robert Jackson
A stage filled with 14 house cats and eight dogs would appear to be courting disaster, but the only howls at this venue should be coming from the amused crowd.
A featured act from Branson, Mo., “The Comedy Pet Theater,” created by former Moscow Circus star Gregory Popovich, will headline Talladega’s Ritz Theatre November 1-2. The performers, orphaned pets Popovich adopted from animal shelters across the U.S., accomplish amazing feats for domestic animals.
Less than two weeks later, on November 14, country music stars Marty Stuart and Connie Smith, one of Nashville’s high-profile couples, will play two shows.
The rare joint concert by Stuart and Smith brings together the “Hillbilly Rock-er” and a singer recently named No. 9 on CMT’s Forty Greatest Women in Country Music. Although married since 1997 and members of the Grand Ole Opry, the two have busy solo careers that rarely allow an opportunity for them to perform together.
Gregory Popovich will bring antics and animals to Talladega as the Ritz season opener.
For the Ritz’s executive director George Culver, booking animal comedians and a country music duet is just another day at the office.
“It is a very interesting mix,” Culver said. “With such eclectic positioning, you never know what you will get next at the Ritz.”
An event for laughter and amazement, the Comedy Pet Theater’s founder keeps one cause close to heart.
“The Comedy Pet show is a very family-friendly show,” Culver said. “Popovich started at the Circus Circus in Las Vegas and now performs in Branson. “Popovich is a big advocate of pet adoption and all ticket holders will be encouraged to bring donations of canned and dry pet food, litter and other pet needs which will be e
ually distributed to area animal shelters in Anniston, Talladega, Sylacauga and Pell City.”
After the barking ends, the serenading begins. In his storied career, Stuart has played with many legends, including Lester Flatt, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. Smith, virtually at the opposite end of the country music spectrum from Stuart, has been performing for almost four decades.
Culver felt having Stuart and Smith on the same stage was a coup for the Ritz. He said the demand and interest generated for the two shows is overwhelming.
“They are the beloved couple of the country music world,” Culver said. “We have been blown away with ticket orders, some from as far as Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky and Florida.”
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