Page 48 - 2015augsept

The Spectacular Senior Follies by Stacy Dominguez hen the curtain rises on the 2015 production of the Although he chose a more traditional career, he maintained Spectacular Senior Follies at the Eisemann Center, an interest in the arts. He always wanted to produce a show in Waudiences will be treated not only to a rousing song- Dallas featuring local senior aged entertainers and his vision and-dance show, but the collective talents of an unusual cast. produced the frst Follies in 2008. “The area is full of talented For their seventh big year, the Spectacular Senior Follies is and creative people 55 and over and the Follies showcases all presenting an all-new, those amazing talents who may have thought their chance to be a star had passed. “ The Follies was a success in its frst all-live, on-stage show featuring 100 talented folks who are year and an all-new show has been produced each year since. all active performers; they just happen to be 55 years young An audience favorite, Ned will perform on stage again this or better. Cast members are from Broadway, Las Vegas and year recreating one of his nostalgic vaudeville routines. local theater and dance groups, including The Tap Dazzlers and Class Act Tap Company and features many other surprise This year’s show at the Eisemann Center Theatre runs guests. September 17 through 20, 2015 at 2pm daily and a special evening show on Saturday, September 19 at 7pm. All the Our founder, the oldest performer in the Follies at 97, performers are volunteers. The theme this year is honoring was a vaudeville performer as a kid. During his college the songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s, so there is a little bit days in Pennsylvania, Ned Startzel was active in theatrical of everything that people enjoy hearing and tapping their productions, musical composition and the performing arts. toes to, including a bit of Broadway, country, lite rock and big band. The show is family friendly, featuring singing, dancing, comedy and a variety of acts in a style reminiscent of the Ziegfeld Follies and features the famous Follies Showgirls, the most beautiful ladies in Dallas wearing lavish and extravagant costumes. Also in the cast are Dallas’ favorite storyteller, Rose-Mary Rumbley, Jackie Troup Miller, whose fame started as a tap dancer from the golden days of MGM musicals, vocalist and showstopper, Lillie Madison, along with dancer Joe Cutaia, and many of your Follies favorites, including a visit from the Follies’ own Marilyn Monroe from Hollywood. After the extensive audition process earlier this year, the best of the best are selected to perform in the Follies. This year the Follies attracted over 300 people who came and tried out; 30 women auditioned to be one of the 12 Showgirls. Once the fnal cast is selected, they come to rehearsals for many weeks to refne and ensure a high level performance before opening day. Some cast members have become close knit and look forward to participating in the Follies. “It is like a family reunion when we gather for rehearsals, we just love one another,” said one of the returning members. The Spectacular Senior Follies is designed to entertain audiences of all ages. Children especially enjoy the Follies; one cast member remembers a grandmother who dragged her young grandkids to a performance, most likely kicking and screaming all the way. What did the kids think of the show? They loved it! One granddaughter said “I just loved all the shiny, sparkly ladies,” referring to the over the top costumes on the Showgirls. The lively music, beautiful sets and bright costumes capture the imagination of all who see the Follies. One of the things the cast enjoys most is greeting the audience in the lobby after the performance and speaking one-on-one page 46 | www.celebrationmagazine.com