by Stacy Allyn Dominguez
The 2023 Spectacular Follies is thrilled to announce they are returning to the stage this April for its 12th big season at a new venue, the Granville Arts Center in Garland. With a talented cast of entertainers over the age of 55, the Spectacular Follies is coming back to life with an all-new, all-live, on-stage show, “Return to the 50s!”, featuring the music, dancing and comedy of 1950s. Watching a nostalgic tribute to hula hoops, poodle skirts, bobby sox, 45 rpm records, senior prom and television sets with only three channels, the audience will be transported to these glory days and will be singing along and "rocking around the clock" as the cast recreates the energy of American Bandstand -- with all your favorite Top 40 hit songs.
Musical stars like Nat King Cole, Rosemary Clooney, Perry Como, Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Patti Page, and Pat Boone led the early fifties with tuneful and light-hearted music, but the younger generation felt left out of this genre and looked toward sounds that spoke to their younger age. This led to the beginnings of Rock and Roll featuring new voices like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Chubby Checker, Buddy Holly, and many more. Following on their footsteps came the wonderful groups who introduced Rhythm & Blues to a new generation of listeners. Groups like Bill Haley & the Comets and Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers gave the younger generation a voice of their own.
The Follies is not a senior amateur show. Our cast of talented performers come from many different professional backgrounds and locations such as Las Vegas, Broadway, Hollywood, etc and all enjoy performing and sharing their talents.
In 2008 Ned Startzel and Mark Carroll, two former Dallas showmen, came up with an idea to stage a senior showcase to highlight the talents of local seniors who love live theater and wanted to continue to perform. The Spectacular Follies debuted on stage at the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts and was an instant success and has become a yearly theatrical event. It is celebrating its 12th year entertaining the Dallas Metroplex.
Featuring a cast of professional entertainers, the Follies presents dancers, vocalists, comedians and the highlight of the Follies, the famous Follies Showgirls. These beautiful ladies appear in lavish costumes with over-the-top feather headdresses to the delight of the audience. The Follies offers something for everyone (young and old) to enjoy.
Once again, The Follies will present a patriotic tribute to America honoring our military veterans with song, dance and flag waving.
The Spectacular Follies entertains hundreds of senior-aged audience members at the daily matinees for an afternoon of fun and a chance to relive the days of live theater. The audience mix of seniors, middle aged and young children make the Follies a true wholesome family destination that everyone can share together.
The Spectacular Follies is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve the traditions and legacy of the American performing arts for future generations, provide community outreach that inspires all age groups, educate by example and reinforce the vibrancy of seniors by presenting high quality performances with senior entertainers 55 and older. Each cast member lives up to this mission with every performance.
This Follies show is conceived and directed by DeeAnne Meece. Dee Anne is from Dallas and is an accomplished singer and actress. She continues to coach singing and do studio recordings, and she and her creative staff will bring the 50s to life once again.
The Follies is choreographed by long-time Dallas professional, Amy Cave,
who is the owner of Amy’s Studio of Performing Arts in North Dallas and is a founder and artistic director of the Resolute Theatre Project.
The Follies will run 5 performances at the Granville Arts Center, opening Thursday, April 27 and running through Sunday, April 30 with matinees daily at 2pm. There will also be an evening show on Saturday, September 29 at 7pm.
For tickets to The Spectacular Follies, visit our website www.spectacularfollies.com. To learn more of the Follies story and see photos of our shows, visit our Facebook page.
For additional information, please contact Mary Dowling at 214-808-2944.
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