A lot can change in 60 years.

When it comes to Rock Chalk Revue, what began in 1949 as a small production in Hoch Auditorium for charity has become an annual variety show that raises tens of thousands of dollars for the United Way of Douglas County.

This weekend, more than 250 students in fraternities and sororities will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the revue at the Lied Center.

“Everybody just uses their strengths and collaborates to put ideas together, so it’s a group thing,” said Allison Owens, Leawood senior and a director of the “Diamond in the Rough” skit.

For Owens, the 60th anniversary marks decades of family involvement in the show.

Both of her grandmothers and one of her grandfathers were in some of the first revues. Her mom and dad met when they were directors for past shows, and several of her aunts, uncles and cousins were also involved with the show.

“They still talk about their shows and their skit ideas,” Owens, a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, said. “It’s definitely brought up around the dinner table.”

The revue’s theme this year is “In the Nick of Time,” in honor of the 60th anniversary. Five groups of partnered fraternities and sororities will perform skits with titles such as “Cast to Sea” and “Jayhawk Jackpot.” The skits are all written, directed and performed by students.

Betty Kaspar, Wichita senior and co-promotions coordinator, said this year’s goal was to raise $60,000 for the United Way in honor of the show’s 60th anniversary.

Two parts have also been added to this year’s production. Kaspar said that a group of students made a video showcasing 60 years of performances and that a new permanent logo for Rock Chalk Revue would be revealed this weekend.

“It shows what a tradition this is at KU, and I’m really proud to be a part of this year’s production,” Kaspar said.

Like Owens, executive producer Kevin Campbell, Leawood senior, is continuing a family tradition with Rock Chalk Revue.

Campbell’s dad, John, was the executive producer nearly 30 years ago. Kevin’s older brother, Scott, was in the revue when he attended the University, and his younger brother, Mark, is on the advisory board for this year’s production. All of the men have been members of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

When John was executive producer, the revue was in Hoch Auditorium and live performances occurred between acts, rather than the videos that are used today.

“It’s amazing how it’s improved, but it hasn’t really changed,” John said. “It looks and feels very much like what we did back in the ’70s and ’80s, and I think that’s what’s so great about it.”

Allison’s grandparents, Dean and Doris Owens of Lawrence, participated in the Rock Chalk Revue in the early ’50s. Dean worked backstage, while Doris who studied piano at the University, played music during the skits.

Dean remembers one of the skits, “Old Draft Blues,” dealing with a very timely topic: the Korean War draft.

This year Doris helped Allison by sewing sequins on costumes for the “Diamond in the Rough” skit. Both Doris and Dean plan on attending performances this weekend.

“It’s a wonderful tradition, and I hope it goes on for at least another 60 years,” Dean said.

To visit the KU Office of Greek Life's Web site, click here.

— — Edited by Justin Leverett