You broke my heart ’cause I couldn’t dance; You didn’t even want me around. Now I’m back to let you know, even though we may be older, we can still shake ’em down!
Those words — a slight adaptation from the start of the Contours’ original hit “Do You Love Me?” — begin the special production number that closes the First Act of the 2009 Senior Follies which will be held at Hickory High School auditorium Aug. 1-2.
It is by far the most extensive production number in the six years of the Follies. If you can overlook the fact that I’ll be doing the singing, I guarantee that everyone in attendance will be impressed. There will be more than 40 dancers on stage and we even hope to have audience participation after we move right into “Let’s Twist Again Like We Did Last Summer.”
So practice up your twist moves.
The theme for this year’s Follies, which benefit the Area Agency on Aging, is “Happy Days” and everyone who loves the music from the 1950s and ’60s will find themselves singing along with almost every act.
In fact, the show opens with the much-expanded chorus performing the theme from the TV show “Happy Days” and then swinging right into “Rock Around the Clock,” the Bill Haley and the Comets song that is the biggest selling rock record of all time. If that doesn’t get your toes a-tappin’ nothing will.
Even though I’ve been part of these shows for four years, I can tell you that this will be by far the best. Of course I admit I’m partial to the music from those decades.
There are unbelievable singing and dancing numbers that include “upper middle-aged” men and women who can still truly shake ’em down.
Under the expert guidance of the production crew of Maureen Murray-Jaklic, Julie Morris and Bonnie Banick, this year’s show has been pared down to about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Of course there’s an intermission after the big production number to allow everyone to catch their breath if they choose to rock out with the band.
There are even some great songs from the stageplay ”Hairspray” involving the chorus as well as some Hickory High students who help out with the production. The song “You Can’t Stop the Beat” pretty much sums up the feelings of the ageless performers.
This is a show for everyone and even the kids will love it. Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased from any cast member, at the Shenango Valley Senior Center in Hermitage or at any of the other senior centers throughout the county.
If you are looking for a very reasonable evening of entertainment on that Saturday, Aug. 1, or choose the afternoon performance on Sunday, Aug. 2, you’ll come away singing.
And while we struggle through some tough economic times in this country right now, this show will boost your attitude and truly take you back to “Happy Days.”
The Herald’s Lynn Saternow writes this weekly column for the Opinion page.
