Photo by Doug Clark

Cynthia Stevens, left, and Ursula Herring, belt out the Jerry Leiber,-Mike Stoller classic ‘Kansas City’ in front of a lunch crowd at Zeng’s Palace Wednesday. The two were promoting tonight’s opening of ‘Smokey Joe’s Cafe,’ at Sampson Community Theatre.

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Cynthia Stevens and Ursula Herring stood in front of the lunch crowd at Zeng’s Palace in Clinton Wednesday, and delivered two stunning vocals on the Jerry Leiber-Mike Stoller classic “Kansas City”.

The duo gave diners just a taste of what is to come as the curtain rises tonight for “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”at the Sampson Community Theater.

And what a taste it was.

Stevens began the luncheon, presented by the Sampson County Arts Council, by standing up at the center of the room and diving into the uptempo Drifters classic, “Fools Fall in Love.” Herring, who also directs the play, joined in on the next selection from the play, “Kansas City,” much to the delight of the packed Zeng’s lunch crowd.

It is the third musical presentation by the Arts Council this summer, which began with the “Sound of Music” at Alfredo’s, followed by saxophonist Garrett Whipkey at Ribeyes Steakhouse.

“These ‘Art for Lunch’ events have been very well received by businesses and the community,” said Sampson County Arts Council executive director Kara Donatelli. “Working with the Sampson Community Theatre has been wonderful because people really do enjoy the music. It is a very different experience when you see it up this close, and people really have responded to it positively.”

It is hard not to enjoy Stevens and Herring’s warm vocals and fun interplay during the songs.

“These ladies are super talented,” said Donatelli. “It works well for the council, and we get a chance to promote the show too. So everyone wins.”

Herring said she enjoyed performing for the crowd.

“I want to thank all of you for allowing us to perform for you today,” the director told those gathered. “We are very excited about the show and we would like for you all to come out and see the entire play.”

Donatelli said that plans are in the works for more “Arts for Lunch” events coming up in October.

“We are very excited about these three events so far,” she said. “We want to continue presenting these events throughout the county.”

The show will feature much of Lieber and Stoller’s greatest hits and will run through Sept. 25. Tickets for “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” are on sale now. Shows will begin tonight at 8 p.m.

For more information on how to get involved with the “Art for Lunch” program, call 910-596-2533 or click on to sampsonarts.net.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or email to sisports@heartlandpublications.com.