DANVILLE — He said he wouldn't miss it.

Dick Van Dyke won't be able to come back to his hometown, at least in the flesh, for the dedication of the Danville High School auditorium in his name.

But he will be watching the evening's entertainment and interacting with the audience via Skype, an Internet application that allows users to make voice and video calls.

The evening will revive an old DHS tradition, "Moments Musical," that Van Dyke performed in as a student. The shows are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and each will feature all the same elements, including Van Dyke's participation.

The first "Moments Musical" took to the stage on March 24, 1938, under the direction of instrumental director W.B. Holl and vocal director Pansy Legg (one of Van Dyke's mentors). The annual variety show continued for 37 years until the retirement of vocal director Helen Wolff.

Now, 37 years later choral director Martha Lindvahl — with the help of accompanist Jill Prasse, choreographer Michael Weaver and assistant choreographer Merritt Spicer — will mount "Moments Musical — On the Town," to revive the tradition and showcase the official dedication naming of the Danville High School auditorium after Van Dyke.

"When he was here in 2004 and stood on the stage and talked about all the memories that came flooding back to him and when I saw how his visit was so totally about being with, enjoying the company of and helping the kids with 'Bye Bye Birdie,' it made me think that this auditorium should have his name above the doors," Lindvahl said of her part in asking for the dedication.

Protective of Van Dyke's privacy, Lindvahl said the 85-year-old legendary entertainer, who is having back problems, regrets he cannot make the trip to Danville.

"He said he wants to be here in the way he can," she said, "and that will be thanks to the technology we are able to tap into."

Lindvahl has set a program with components she felt Van Dyke would love beginning with the kids as the choral music department and its combo will perform "NYC Medley," "City Rhythm," "In the Height," "Lot of Livin' To Do," "Big Time," "Spanish Sailing," "Dancin' Man," "Nothing Like A Dame" and "Footloose," with a lot of singing and dancing.

A special treat is planned when coach B.J. Luke and some members of his 2010 varsity football team perform "There is Nothin' Like a Dame" from "South Pacific."

"I'm still memorizing my lines," Luke said with a laugh Monday morning.

He wasn't involved in the music department when at DHS but did have a small part in "Jesus Christ Superstar" in college.

"I think it will be great fun for the kids," he added. "It's good for them to do something that is totally out of their comfort zone. If they can sing and dance in front of an auditorium full of people, then it should be easy to go out and play in front of 5,000 on a Friday night.

"It will be great for people to see the players in a different light," Luke said. "It's an opportunity for them to grow as young people."

Doc Ashton & The Root Canals will perform during intermission.

Special guests for the event is the jazz vocal quartet, Four Voices, that specializes in close four-part harmony, a favorite style of Van Dyke, and especially the music of the Four Freshmen.

"A Dick Van Dyke Tribute," first performed in 2004, includes "Supercalafragelisticexpialadocius," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," the Dick Van Dyke Show theme, "Hushaby Mountain" and "Put on a Happy Face."

A montage of pictures from Van Dyke's career and his 2004 visit will be shown over Luther Vandross' "One Shining Moment," followed by the auditorium dedication. The program will close with "Home."

"That seemed only fitting as this auditorium and Danville will always be his home," Lindvahl said of Van Dyke.

Admission for the event is $10 for adults and $6 for middle school-age and younger, at the door only. The Choral Boosters will sell water and candy during intermission.