The 1950s and ’60s will come alive next weekend as the Santa Cruz Follies puts on its annual singing and dancing showcase.
This year’s show, “Memories are Made of This,” features dozens of actors, actresses, singers and dancers — all age 50 or older.
The eldest performer, 91-year-old Jeanne Gualco, plays a spot-on Charlie Chaplin in “Smiles,” a number Chaplin wrote the melody to in the 1950s.
“It’s amazing how much talent there is in the 50-and-over group,” director Bari Miller said.
Besides Chaplin’s work, there are songs from Elvis Presley, Pat Boone, The Four Seasons and various musicals, and “Marilyn Monroe” even makes an appearance.
“There are lots of favorites that people remember,” Miller said.
Miller, a Scotts Valley resident, is directing her fifth Follies show. She studied theater arts at San Jose State University and has experience with church musicals, school musicals, dance, theater and photography. She also sits on the board of Scotts Valley Performing Arts, a nonprofit that promotes theater and performance art in the region.
Other locals in the show include Lee and Terry Peterson, Marc and Jan Bryant and Carole Kassler, all of Scotts Valley, and Carol McMillen, Jacqueline Lockwood and Steve Hendricks from the San Lorenzo Valley.
Practice for the Follies most of the year has been at the Market Street Senior Center in Santa Cruz for the annual talent showcase. The performances draw tourist groups from around the state, and proceeds from the show pay for roughly 60 percent of the senior center’s operating budget while providing an outlet for the talented older adults.
“A lot of people don’t have family around,” Miller said. “I guess it keeps everybody active. There are a lot of shows in the area, but not many opportunities for the 50-and-older crowd.”
Miller is a former performer in the show and said she enjoys directing along with musical director Kris Wheeler.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Miller said. “We work hard and try to make the show as good as it can be.”
At a glance
WHAT: “Memories Are Made of This”
WHEN: 1 p.m. Sept 15 through 18, also 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17
WHERE: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., in Santa Cruz
COST: $18, kids younger than 12 are free
INFO: www.santacruzfollies.net
or 423-6640
