The stars of the show, Rhonda and Ron
Common Ground Theatre hosts America’s favorite evangelical sex therapists, Ron and Rhonda, in a special performance this Saturday at 8pm. I got the chance to ask Ron and Rhonda (Jeffrey Moore and Annie Zipper, respectively) a few questions about their show to get an idea of what to expect from this feel-good variety hour – read on for their zany and, at times, risqué answers:
Durham Magazine: We’ll start off with an icebreaker. Name one interesting thing about yourself.
Ron: I enjoy teaching inner-city kids the importance of ballroom and tap dancing. I feel that there would be no war if everyone wore powder blue.
Rhonda: Well, I'm not such an interesting gal myself – although one time I was alone and feeling frisky and got rather ... intimate with my recorder. Thinking of Ron the whole time, of course.
DM: Why should Durham folks come out to see your show?
Rhonda: The Ron and Rhonda Feel Good Variety Hour has all the best of 1975 – platform heels, big hair, funky tunes, major mojo and cheesy jokes. Expect bell-bottoms and sexual innuendos galore.
Ron: I’m so happy that the variety show is airing again. This show is especially tender for me. It shows a very young Ron and Rhonda, decades before we were married. Theater-goers will [get to] witness our budding romance.
DM: Which '70s celebs are you most excited about featuring on your show?
Rhonda: All of them! We begged and bribed and prayed for the best in the biz, and we got 'em! And some just had the time and needed the money.
Ron: I’m super-stoked about meeting Cher. I’m in a titter to see what kind of masterpiece Bob Mackie has created for the show.
DM: What jams will The Bacon be playing for the crowd?
Rhonda: The Bacon is a funk band from right here in Durham, so expect disco, dance and, of course, Donna Summer. It will be a jam fest worthy of a Soul Train finale.
DM: Will you be joining in the dance party at the end of the show? What about the other celebrities?
Rhonda: Of course! I love to shake my groove thing, especially for my main squeeze, Ron. He is such a good dancer – he puts me to shame! All the celebs will be there, although they may have to excuse themselves to powder their noses, if you know what I mean...
Ron: Everyone is invited to throw down after the show! Guests will mingle with so many celebrities that they will feel like they are on The Love Boat's Lido Deck!
DM: So what's the final say?
Ron: All fun-loving adults should come out and prepare to be overwhelmed by the feel-good vibes spewing forth from the Ron and Rhonda Variety Hour. This show only aired once in the summer of 1975 as a replacement for Chico and the Man. Attendees can enjoy a delicious adult beverage, sit back and groove ‘70s-style to some of the top names and tunes from 1975. Bask in the love!
Rhonda: Come on out to the show! We promise you'll leave feelin' good. And if the Good Word doesn't get you, then Ron will.
Tickets to the Variety Hour are $10. For more information, call (919) 698-3870 or click here.
