photo by: John Young

Matt All, front right, grabs the arm of Jason Edmonds to push him out of the way as they perform during a dress rehearsal for the upcoming Dueling Dukes on Thursday evening at Theatre Lawrence, 4660 Bauer Farm Drive. The benefit show runs on Feb. 6, 2016 at the theater.

More than a quarter century has passed since Jason Edmonds and Matt All last shared the stage together, when the two then-students tied for the big prize (it was something along the lines of “best male vocalist” or “best male performer,” though neither can remember for certain) at Kansas University’s annual Rock Chalk Revue.

Trouble was, only one trophy had been made. The young men “jokingly” engaged in a tug of war for a few brief seconds, but then All grabbed hold of the trophy and that was that.

“I never let go of the trophy and still have it today,” says All, who has found himself drawn into competition with his former classmate again, this time at Theatre Lawrence’s sold-out Dueling Dukes, slated for 7:30 p.m. Saturday. “I should probably give it to him and let him have it for another 25, 30 years,” he jokes.

Edmonds and All are among the eight Lawrence-area men selected to battle it out, “American Idol”-style, in the twist on Theatre Lawrence’s popular Dueling Divas event, which in previous years has enlisted local women to perform in support of the community theater.

The basic premise is the same this time around.

Each contestant sings two songs, in addition to a group number, and the audience members vote for their favorites. Each vote equals a dollar donated to Theatre Lawrence. Folks can also pledge support before the performance at www.theatrelawrence.com.

The evening begins at 6:30 with an hors d’oeuvre buffet, wine and cocktails, with the “dukes” taking the stage at 7:30.

“We just wanted to shake it up a bit,” Kay Traver, Theatre Lawrence marketing director, says of the gender switch.

“We try to choose contestants, some who are closely tied to the theater but also some who are community members who the general public may not realize have singing talent,” she says. “It’s always nice to see your friends and community members strut their stuff.”

Edmonds, 46, and All, 44, did their fair share of musical theater growing up. Though, with the exception of the occasional wedding and funeral over the years, it’s been decades since they sung for an audience of Theatre Lawrence proportions. Family, career and the general obligations of adulthood put performing on the back burner.

“I’m mostly excited about it,” says Matt All, now senior vice president and general counsel at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, of his return to the stage. “With occasional fits of wanting to vomit,” he deadpans.

Nerves aside, he and Edmonds both say they’ve enjoyed the experience so far. Theatre Lawrence’s musical director, Mary Baker, is providing musical accompaniment and direction, but the competition largely leaves contestants to decide how much time and effort to put into the show. Aside from a handful of “formal” rehearsals since October, Edmonds says his preparation has mainly been limited to singing in the car. (He does it every day, though.)

“It’s hardly competition. We’re all genuinely having fun,” says Edmonds, a founder and partner at Lawrence’s Edmonds Duncan Registered Investment Advisors. “It’s a much more talented group of guys — I am the rank amateur of the group, as much as I’m looking forward to it.”

He’d like to win Dueling Dukes, of course, but Edmonds has his eye on another prize too: the much-coveted Rock Chalk Revue trophy from all those years ago. Edmonds says he has instructed his old friend to bring the award to Theatre Lawrence on the night of the show.

“I met my wife (Michaela Edmonds) that year,” he concedes of the Rock Chalk Revue snub. “There are three young people who have that silly show to thank for their lives, I guess.”

Still, Edmonds says, good naturedly, “I think it’s my turn to keep the trophy, Matt.”