A whirlwind trip to 'Paree': Senior Follies opens Friday with song, dance

The 13th annual Senior Follies 2010, "Seniors in Paree!" opens Friday at the Carson City Community Center's Bob Boldrick Theater, 851 E. Williams St.

Under the direction of Norma Conway, seniors will be singing, acting and dancing their way through performances this weekend and next. Proceeds support senior meals programs.

"There is a wide variety of talent this year," said Conway, who wrote the dialogue and choreographed the show. "We have an awesome cast, many of whom have been in all of the Follies."

In the early stages of putting together this year's performance, Conway was recovering from surgery and found herself choreographing dance moves while sitting in a chair, a circumstance that found its way into a full production number.

"Now we have some of the choreography that starts in a chair," she said. "We have a cast of 30 people who are all volunteers and they have put in a lot of hours and are 100 percent dedicated to the show and the reason we do this each year.

"You can't help but love them."

Realizing the economy has been challenging, tickets for Senior Follies 2010 cost $10, a 50 percent reduction over years past.

"We want people to be able to afford to come out, enjoy and still support the meals programs," Conway said. "We're hoping this also brings greater community participation."

Carla Wilson has come on as the vocal coach and assistant director and Bob Reid as musical director has also written a special song for the Follies.

The Calendar Girls will be doing the can-can, and songs will range from a rewrite by Conway of "Be Our Guest," from Beauty and the Beast and "Thank Heaven for Little Girls," to "Madam, I Love Your Crepe Suzettes."

"Speedy Garfin is playing again this year and is just an outstanding sax and woodwinds player," Conway said.

There will also be several numbers requiring audience participation.

"The wonderful thing about Follies is that it is seniors helping seniors and there is even more for us to do now than ever before," Conway said. "This production has brought together a wonderful ensemble and the old-timers have been welcoming to the newcomers.

"It's just been magic."

To be part of the magic, be sure to attend Senior Follies 2010, "Seniors in Paree." Performances take place 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets are available in advance at Carson City Senior Citizens Center, 911 Beverly Dr., Carson City. Tickets can be purchased in advance and used for any performance. For more information or to purchase tickets call 775-883-0703.