Sunny brightens Kiwanis meeting

She showed up at Casino Fandango in black fur and diamonds, her platinum blond ringlets of hair and giggly shoulder wiggles reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe, without the frail outer shell.

Sunny is saturated with the presence of a starlet. Whether channeling the whisper-soft but breathless Marilyn, the precociously annoying Joan Rivers or playfully goofing on the hillbilly hijinks of Dolly Parton, the Harrah's Lake Tahoe headliner entertained the weekly Kiwanis meeting with bits from her show, "Sunny's High Sierra Christmas."

The two-weekend engagement, Dec. 10-12 and 17-19, features songs from her new Christmas album, backed by the David Grantham Band with vocal arrangements from the Nevada Chamber Choir and The Reno Chamber Singers from the University of Nevada, Reno Choral Program.

Some of the proceeds from her show are going to help send the UNR choir to Europe to perform.

"They're really great," said Sunny. "They have so much energy. It's fun to be up on stage with them."

Sunny said her show features everything from rock 'n' roll to blues and boogie woogie.

"It's a very eclectic show," she promises.

And one filled with lots of surprises.

She sang a few favorite Christmas songs for the Kiwanis, then took questions from the audience of some 75 members and their friends, the latter of which were all introduced by members at the beginning of the meeting.

Norine Krulevitch of Kiwanis called Sunny "beautiful and classy," and was thrilled to have her appear.

Member Bob Browne said, "She's great. She's got a fantastic personality."

The Minnesota native is currently in production of an off-Broadway show about Marilyn Monroe and her tragic life, all told through her own words.

Her husband, producer Greg Thompson, is currently working on many projects, including one in Thailand.

Kiwanis president Pat Gaskill said the Kiwanis are getting ready for their 90th anniversary celebration, and are continuing their work with Meals on Wheels and the FISH house among other volunteer projects.

Contact reporter Peter Thompson at pthompson@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1215.