Lynn DeBree, a Montana transplant who lives in Pittsburgh's Carrick neighborhood, worked for six years recently in the Mother Lode Theater in Butte, which was once part of the Vaudeville circuit. She has boxes of old sheet music that came in handy in preparing for "What Happened to Vaudeville," the upcoming show she arranged and will direct for the Old Schoolhouse Players in Hickory.

"My original concept was to do an all-woman, Vaudeville-themed show with only one male in the cast who was to be the butt of all the humor," she said. "The show has no story line or plot, but is virtually a string of 31 songs with additional medleys that captures the ambiance of Vaudeville, an art form that came to a screeching halt in the 1930s due to talking movies and the Depression."

Starting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, theatergoers will be able to listen to classic antique tunes such as the pre-Civil War "In the Evening By the Moonlight" through early 20th-century compositions by Ira and George Gershwin which evoke the era of live stage performance that formed the major entertainment venue of a century ago.

"When I chose the music, I went through my collection and picked songs I thought would showcase the talent of the performers," said DeBree, who moved to Pittsburgh four years ago "after searching the Internet for a city with a vibrant theater scene."

Because the show is an ensemble performance with no stars or major roles, the OSP audience will be treated to a well-balanced recital that will give each of the performers a chance to solo and be featured in duets, trios, and octets in tunes such as "Friendship," "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" and "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey."

Jackie Fox, 14, of Bethel Park, is featured in nearly half of the show's songs, including a solo in "Hard-Hearted Hannah." Fox has performed in two previous OSP shows and has tackled a role in Jude Pohl's production of "Taffetas" at the Perry Como Theater in Canonsburg.

As the only male in the cast, Bob Anderson, an OSP veteran from Buffalo Township who's been in about 10 shows over the past five years, calls it heaven to be on stage with seven pretty ladies.

"The only problem is that my wife, Joyce, is the piano accompanist and is always around to keep an eye on me," he said with a laugh.

Although a few of the songs are done a cappella, most are accompanied by piano, making Joyce Anderson what DeBree calls "the rock that holds us together."

To set the atmosphere for each song, DeBree will have the cast put on different hats -- a multitude of fedoras; pillboxes; straw boaters; feathery, wide brimmed Ascot hats; and flowery, dome-shaped hats.

"While the costumes are generic and aren't meant to portray any particular era, the hats are the running thread that sets up the mood for each song," DeBree said.

Kathy Leadbitter, of McDonald, is one of the performers looking forward to the millinery extravaganza. As one of two OSP charter members, Leadbitter managed to perform in every OSP show last season and all but one this year. She'll also direct the next production of Paul Osbourne's "Morning's at Seven."

"In 'Vaudeville,' I get to solo in 'Fascination' and have to sing it to Bob [Anderson], who'll be making faces at me all the time," she said.

The eclectic Vaudeville retrospective includes an Americana medley featuring such patriotic tunes as "Yankee Doodle," "America, the Beautiful" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." It ends with another medley that includes "Good Night Ladies."

" 'What Happened to Vaudeville' moves very fast," said DeBree, who likens her role as arranger to weaving a tapestry of song rather than writing a script. "The show runs just under an hour and a half, including intermission, but it's packed with wonderful melodies."

The Old Schoolhouse Players production of "What Happened to Vaudeville" will be held in the Bud Allison Memorial Auditorium in the Mount Pleasant Township Community Center, 20 Wabash Ave. in Hickory. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 3 p.m. next Sunday. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (60 and older) and students, and $8 for children 12 and younger. Call 724-344-7467.