SPECTACULAR FOLLIES PRESENTS “CURTAIN UP! THE BEST OF BROADWAY”

by Stacy Allyn Dominguez

Broadway! Just hearing the word conjures up images of timeless music, amazing dancing and the actors and actresses that brought great stories to life on stage. The Spectacular Follies is bringing back these golden memories in our tribute to the Great White Way when we present “Curtain Up! The Best of Broadway”.

Broadway's history spans from 18th-century plays to modern musicals, evolving from Vaudeville/operetta roots in 1866, moving to Times Square in the early 1900s, hitting a Golden Age in the 1920s with hits like Show Boat, and continuing with classics in later years like Oklahoma, West Side Story, Gypsy, A Chorus Line and Hamilton. Broadway established itself as a global cultural phenomenon filling theaters to this day by presenting new and avant-garde offerings.

The Spectacular Follies is the nation’s longest running musical variety revue featuring a cast of entertainers over the age of 55. The Follies is not a senior amateur show, our cast of performers come from different professional backgrounds: Las Vegas, Broadway, Hollywood, and all enjoy performing and showing their talents to audiences in the area.

Created in 2008, the Spectacular Follies was the dream of founder Ned Startzel who wanted to bring live entertainment featuring older entertainers to perform in the Dallas area. He contacted local Dallas performers, Mark Carroll and Rose-Mary Rumbley, to help create the Spectacular Follies. The show was a huge success and has entertained audience members of all ages for an afternoon of stellar entertainment and a chance to relive the days of live theater ever since. The Follies a wholesome family destination that everyone can share together.

The Follies presents dancers, vocalists, comedians and the highlight of the Follies, the famous Follies Showgirls, appearing in lavish costumes with over-the-top feather headdresses. By popular demand, the Follies will again present a patriotic tribute to America, honoring our military veterans with song, dance and flag waving. The energy and vitality of this group disguises their ages and you’ll not believe these performers are seniors, even some in their 90s. Each year the Follies brings in new and impressive performers to keep the show new and fresh each season.

Our wonderful cast is the secret ingredient to our success. After several weeks of auditions and rehearsals, our troupe is ready for the big opening day. As showtime approaches, the backstage area is buzzing with people preparing for the performance, filling the dressing rooms with laughter as costumes are put on and tap shoes secured, waiting for the call to be on stage.

Then it happens, the stage manager calls the first act to be on stage. Nothing matches the energy and enthusiasm the cast feels when moving to their position behind the curtain. We can hear the chattering of the audience as they move into the auditorium to find their seats. Suddenly, the house lights dim, and we hear the hush come over the crowd as the overture starts. Holding our breaths, we watch the curtain go up to reveal the vast audience eagerly sitting forward in their seats awaiting the performance. At the first downbeat, the cast comes to life and gives all they have to entertain at the highest levels.

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 all the talent and lavish entertainment you expect from a Spectacular Follies production.

Tickets will go on sale in February 2026 for our 5 big performances. Show dates and times are Thursday, April 23 at 2pm, Friday, April 24 at 2pm, Saturday, April 25 at 2pm and 7pm and Sunday, April 26 at 2pm. Granville Arts Center located at 300 N. 5th Avenue, Garland, Texas 75040.

For tickets to the Spectacular Follies, visit our website www.spectacularfollies.com.

For groups of 10 or more, use promo code FOLLIES10 for a 10% discount.

To learn more of the Follies story and see photos of our shows, visit our website, Facebook page and You Tube channel.

For additional information, please contact Mary Dowling at 214-808-2944.