SAN DIEGO — A group of vibrant San Diego seniors will take the stage in a spectacular musical comedy proving that our golden years need not be idle.
About 70 performers make up the cast of “Senior Follies: Calendar Girls,” ranging in ages from 50 to 97-years old.
The witty musical is a spoof on beauty pageants and TV reality contests making this an interactive experience for all.
Senior Follies is a tuneful story of 12 ladies as they vie for the coveted Calendar Girl 2012 title.
SAN DIEGO — A group of vibrant San Diego seniors will take the stage in a spectacular musical comedy proving that our golden years need not be idle.
About 70 performers make up the cast of “Senior Follies: Calendar Girls,” ranging in ages from 50 to 97-years old.
The witty musical is a spoof on beauty pageants and TV reality contests making this an interactive experience for all.
Senior Follies is a tuneful story of 12 ladies as they vie for the coveted Calendar Girl 2012 title.
Presented by Christian Community Theater (CCT), Senior Follies is packed with glittering costumes, uplifting musical scores and dance numbers (with an applause meter, the judges will gauge the audience’s favorite to help crown the winner.) reflecting each of the 12 months of the calendar. It’s an entertaining family production for all ages.
Whether it’s a debut performance like that of John Patrick Burns at 97-years old or the vocal talents of the reigning Ms. Senior San Diego, this cast of seniors is chalk full of energy and is setting out to inspire all to keep active regardless of age.
“To be honest, my friend Jeanne rather dragged me to the auditions,” Burns said. “But I’m glad. After open-heart surgery, it’s important to stay active. This is dance rehabilitation for me.”
Burns, a retired pharmacist, has been in San Diego since 1967. Although his wife and family were involved in theater, he was more into sports.
The cast range in background as much as they do in age.
The pageant judges include San Diego County of Education Board Member John Witt as a “lovable but bumbling Mr. Magoo-like” judge and well known star impersonators Chris Dunsmore as Carol Channing and Louise Smith as Elizabeth Taylor.
A few years back, Senior Follies became an annual Father’s Day outing for him and the family.
Now, he will be the one on stage for his debut performance as a featured dancer.
“The first dance I remember was the Varsity Drag back in the 20s,” Burns said. “I’ll be dancing more of a fox trot and maybe a little swing.”
Like Burns, Jeanne Lenhart, 66, believes in staying active anyway you can. Lenhart, a retired educator, is a third generation San Diegan and was recently crowned Ms. Senior San Diego 2012.
Ironically, she will play one of the 12 calendar girls representing March in song and dance.
“I had seen the show previously and it’s fun to now be part of it.”
While this is Lenhart’s first CCT production, she is not a novice when it comes to new experiences. Lenhart now runs a thriving interior design company Mission Designs.
When she’s not working, she’s busy winning national volleyball tournaments, volunteering as a dance instructor and volleyball coach, and in August she will compete for Ms. Senior California.
“This cast is a close knit group. There are only a few of us new to the cast.
“Senior Follies: Calendar Girls runs Thursday, June 21 to Sunday, June 24 at the Lincoln Performing Arts Center, 4777 Imperial Ave, in San Diego.
For tickets or additional information contact 619-588-0206 or visit www.cytsandiego.org.
Ticket prices range from $18 to $40. Senior and military discounts are available.
