(The Santa Cruz Follies will perform “Sentimental Journey: The Way We Were,” Sept. 12-15. Photo by Steve Niemann)
SANTA CRUZ — At 63 years, the Santa Cruz Follies is the longest-running organization that uses the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, said director Kris Wheeler.
The annual show consists of performers who are age 50 and over, with the oldest this year being 86.
But the cast of nearly 30 doesn’t let age slow them down, Wheeler said.
“It’s not a bunch of seniors rambling across the stage,” she said. “Some of them honestly look 30 years old. It’s not just an old people’s show. It’s very professional.”
This year’s performance, titled “Sentimental Journey: The Way We Were,” runs Sept. 12-15 at 1 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St. in Santa Cruz. An additional performance will take place Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Wheeler said the music of the performance ranges from vaudeville to rock ‘n’ roll, with a patriotic finale, which is a tradition of the Follies.
This is the third time Wheeler has directed a show for the Follies, yet she has been involved with the organization for 25 years, working on costumes and music.
With no directing experience before joining the Follies, Wheeler’s background in music stems from her time singing in choirs during high school, and has also been the choir director at her church.
A friend invited her to audition for the Follies, and “I’ve been here ever since,” she said.
“I sang my first secular song at the Civic 25 years ago,” Wheeler said. “I was just thrilled to death. It was very exciting.”
Pat Dodson, a more than 20-year veteran with the Follies, works as a tap instructor, passing along the dance to other seniors. Dancing, she said, is a way for seniors to stay active, and has also been shown to reduce the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The seniors in the audience for the Follies have walked away inspired, she said.
“They like seeing people their age still up there and very active,” Dodson said. “That gives them incentive to try to do it as well.”
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The Santa Cruz Follies will perform Sept. 12-15 at 1 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St. in Santa Cruz. An additional performance will take place Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office the day of the performance for $22, with proceeds benefiting the Market Street Senior Center.
