Up With People to volunteer, perform

Yumans will catch a tour of the world without ever leaving their seats when Up With People hits the stage next weekend.

A multinational cast presents its two-hour show, "A Song for the World," on Saturday.

"'A Song for the World' is really about possibility," the group states on its website. "Our goal is to leave our audiences with a sense of believing that each and every one of them has gifts and talents to share. Their song for the world — their ability or skill — may be healing the sick, building a home for the needy, teaching the young."

The 90-member cast comes from 20 countries representing four continents.

In addition to their big show, cast members will spend time doing community service work and helping local nonprofits during their visit to Yuma.

The cast of the nonprofit student organization is making a local stop Monday through May 10. They will be escorted into town by the Yuma Fire Department and will meet their host families at the Quartermaster Depot on Monday.

The students will participate in community service and end their visit with their "high-energy, upbeat, family-friendly" show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Gila Ridge High School, 7150 E 24th St.

Tickets cost $18 for adults or $12 for students, senior citizens and military. Family packs with tickets for two adults and two students are $50. Host families will receive two free show tickets.

Tickets are available at the Yuma Visitors Center in the Quartermaster Depot and Hastings Books Music and Videos, 2820 S. 4th Ave.

Residents are also invited to a fundraising "unplugged session" at noon Friday at the Yuma Territorial Prison. The performance will benefit the prison and feature songs not performed in the main show.

"It should be fun and people could show their support for the prison," said Erin Parrott, a promotions representative.

UWP has toured 38 countries around the world during the past 44 years.

The organization "provides young adults with an international and intercultural experience that teaches service leadership and uses the performing arts to deliver messages of hope and goodwill throughout the world," according to UWP press materials.

For more information on the Yuma tour, visit UpWithPeople.org/yuma.

Yuma has a long history with Up With People. Resident Carol Underhill believes her sister, the late Kathleen "Sam" (Slate) Robinson, was the first Yuman to tour with the group. Robinson joined UWP at the age of 17 in 1969 after graduating early from high school. She toured Europe, Canada and the eastern U.S. for seven months.

"It was a big deal for her. She was excited," Underhill said. "She loved music, singing and acting. With this she combined a little bit of everything, but she especially loved the camaraderie."

Robinson, who died eight years ago, had the honor of being chosen by her cast members to present an autographed photograph of the group to the queen and king of Belgium, her sister said.

While in Yuma the current cast members' community service projects will take place throughout the week. Students will clean up the Vincent Wolfe Memorial Playground at the Yuma West Wetlands Park on Tuesday. They will also work with the Yuma Community Food Bank, Crossroads Mission and Salvation Army.

"Up With People strives to become involved with local organizations and programs that are relevant and meaningful to the communities they visit and provide an opportunity for local students to join the cast members in the service activities," the press release said.

The cast toured the Philippines before arriving in Yuma and will head next to Mexicali, Baja Calif., to kick off a Mexico tour. After stopping in Mexicali, Navojoa, Tlaxcala and Toluca, the cast will end the tour in Mexico City on June 15.

By the end of the five-month world tour, Cast A 2010 will visit two dozen communities throughout the central and western United States, Mexico and the Philippines.

A centerpiece of the 22-week program is the opportunity for UWP students to stay with local families in each community. While families share their traditions and local attractions, the cast members share their experiences and cultures.

“A Song for the World” features both original and popular music with a blend of soloists, full cast production numbers, fast-moving choreography and colorful costumes.

Audience members will be taken on a musical tour around the world and back in time with special moments including “The Love Medley,” a collection of popular music and dancing moments from the last three decades with the theme of “boy meets girl.”  

Another highlight is a Bollywood number, which stands out due to bright costumes, Parrott said.

Throughout the show, international cast members will provide the audience with a glimpse of their own national traditions and cultures through music and dance with musical stops in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa.