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Standing on the Corner is one of the Follies humorous acts. Sitting from left: Troy Coman and Bill Farr. Standing from left: Tim Broad, Steve Kline, Greg Kiel and Ken Wolfort.
The first Follies show in Sun City Center was in 1984. This annual extravaganza that pulls together area talent has become a tradition for Sun City Center and surrounding communities. With a theme of “Life, Laughter and Love,” this year’s production promises entertainment sure to please audiences of all ages. Dates for three performances at the Veterans Theater in Kings Point are March 23 at 7 p.m. and March 24 at 1:30 and 7 p.m.
The Follies are sponsored by Vesta Property Services, which manages the Kings Point amenities. North Club Manager and Follies Producer Nicole Powell said, “We are proud to keep the long-standing tradition of the show going for another year. The Follies wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and hard work of volunteers like Rose Ostrander, Linda Stone, Diane LeFrancois and Keith and Carlyn Postle, not to mention the cast of talented
performers who will grace this year’s stage with amazing performances. The Follies show is a highlight of the season and a wonderful display of talent from around the Sun City Center area. We look forward to putting on another great show this year!” Chet Budziac, also with Vesta, is the marketing producer.
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The Sounds of Time from East Bay High School will be joining the Follies cast for the 16th year.
Ostrander, director and writer, said that many of the 100-plus participants return each year, and new talent continues to join them. She has been involved for almost 30 years and attributes the show’s continuing success to extraordinary teamwork. Stone is assistant director and LeFrancois is show choreographer and staging director. The Postle technical team handles sound and lighting to ensure that the performers have what they need when they need it.
The team is excited about having Hank Fellows join them as a special guest this year. Fellows is a New York City composer whose songs have been performed at Lincoln Center and at leading NYC cabarets. He has written many songs about 9/11 that have been used at memorial services all over the country. He also wrote a children’s book about that event.
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Composer and writer Hank Fellows is coming down from New York City to perform with the Follies group.
“Hank is a very caring and generous man,” said Ostrander. “We are using two of his songs in the show, ‘Spirit of America’ for the finale, and ‘One Heart, One Voice,’ which Fellows will perform himself. He is also offering to do a workshop for our chorus and individual singers as well as any students on March 22 at 10 a.m.” For more information, email Ostrander at rostrander1@tampabay.rr.com or Stone at wapsigal@hotmail.com.
Follies tickets ($14) are now being sold at the Kings Point box office from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
