(Front Row, L-R) Sofie Kolupaeva, 7, Vanessa Norris, 11 and Tyler Fratis, 6, rehearse the opening number "Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears," a song about immigrants entering America at the Senior Center on Thursday.
The 17th Carson Senior Follies on the weekend of July 11-13 will key on the theme “Touring America” to raise funds in support of senior meals programs in Carson City.
“The highlight is a lot of awesome seniors over 50 like to sing and dance,” said Toni VanCleave, the director, who also will be among those on stage for three performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday that weekend. The performances are planned in the Community Center’s Bob Boldrick Theater at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12, and at 2 p.m. in the same theater on Sunday, July 13. The center is at 851 E. William St.
“Another of our highlights is our ‘Golden Girls,’” VanCleave said. She said the “Golden Girls” group consist of seven female performers who have their own number. There also is a subset called the GG Trio, a group that does another number for audiences. The director indicated the seven are local favorites.
“The Golden Girls have become local celebrities and many people come just to watch them perform,” noted VanCleave.
She said the cast has changed some with many repeat performers and some new cast members. “I have a cast of, including myself, 22 or 24,” she said, noting the number has been fluid and she stopped counting.
Proceeds from the three shows will benefit senior meals activities, stated VanCleave, who said they are in jeopardy for lack of funding.
“Previously we had raised $8,000 or $9,000,” VanCleave explained, “but last year the program only netted a little over $5,000.” As a consequence, the bar is higher than was reached in 2013.
“This show is the biggest fund raiser of the whole year for the Carson Senior Center Meals on Wheels and other senior meal programs,” said VanCleave. Tickets cost $15 for general admission, but seniors 55 or older and students from ages six to 18 can come for $10. Children five or under are admitted free of charge.
VanCleave said the oldest performer is 94 years of age and a few others in the cast of more than 20 aren’t a lot younger, yet each performer “can show every age group that just because you are ‘senior’ doesn’t mean you are old.”
Tickets are available in advance at the Carson City Senior Citizens Center, 911 E. Beverly Dr., online at www.showtix4u.com, or by telephoning 1-866-967-8167. They also may be obtained at the door preceding each performance, for which doors open at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings on July 11 and 12, at 1 p.m. for the Sunday matinee on July 13.