Chad Lundquist/Nevada Appeal Bill Paradis sing during Tuesday night's auditions for the 2006 Senior Follies to be held in June. Paradis sings Frank Sinatra covers.
The Senior Follies, an entertaining show to raise funds for the Meals on Wheels program at the Carson City Senior Citizens Center, is back on track after a one-year hiatus.
When Janice McIntosh, the center's director, put out a call for a new director and producer, she didn't get an immediate response. Fortunately, someone eventually came forward.
"A friend volunteered me," said Jan Hunt, who is also a member of the Singing Seniors. Hunt, 69, is this year's director and producer of the show.
"I have done this before, in another lifetime, so to speak," she said.
Hunt has been in Northern Nevada since 1961 and in Carson City the past 10 years. She has set a goal of $25,000 from the shows, which are scheduled for June 2-4 at the Carson City Community Center.
Hunt is bringing in a couple of "big guns" to help her out.
"Max Baer Jr. is going to be emcee," Hunt said. "And Lonnie Hammargren, former lieutenant governor, is going to perform 'Mammy,' an Al Jolson number. Max is a buddy of mine. And I used to run Lonnie's office when he was lieutenant governor."
Meals on Wheels is provided to homebound persons age 60-older, unable to attend the senior center for meals due to illness, incapacitation or disability, or the spouse of an eligible home-delivered recipient. Cost for each meal is about $5, which includes delivery and other related services.
Suggested donation of the meal is $2. However, the amount received is about 73 cents. To compensate for the difference, the center must find creative ways to raise the money. The Senior Follies is one of the larger fundraisers.
"This is a good thing," Hunt said. "Seniors are helping seniors and it's all volunteer. With their talents, time and energy, they take time out to care and that's important.
"People need help, and whatever we can do to help we'll do. I'm shooting for $25,000. It's a big thing, but the thing is, they really need it. As people become older they're taking advantage of the Meals on Wheels service. And they need the funds.
"We're going to do every little bit we can to help. It's a blessed thing and that's why Max is going to help us out."
The theme for this year's show is "Another Opening and Another Show," which will progress from decade to decade beginning with the 1920s. Song and dance highlights from each decade will be performed.
"It's going to be a blast," Hunt said. "But we need to get some more male dancers. We got the Golden Girls, but we need men."
A casting call will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the senior center, 911 Beverly Drive.
"The auditions went absolutely great," Hunt said. "Everybody is going to miss Bobbi (Dowell, music director). I'm the new kid on the block. George Brott is going to be helping me; he's the new director of the Singing Seniors.
"He's going to work with us on Tuesdays, but I need someone to serve as music director."
Hunt said she is excited about the shows and is looking forward to the performances.
"Janice is arranging for a bus to come from Reno to bring people to the show. We want people from all around here to come. It's just going to be fantastic."
If you go
WHAT: Senior Follies, "Another Opening and Another Show"
WHEN: 7 p.m. June 2-4
WHERE: Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.
CALL: 883-0703
WHAT: Casting call for Senior Follies
WHEN: 5 p.m. Wednesday
WHERE: Carson City Senior Center, 911 Beverly Drive
n Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.