Carson City's Golden Girls to steal spotlight again at upcoming Senior Follies
Submitted by Brett Fisher on Sat, 07/07/2018 - 8:28am
Anyone who was around in the late 1980s and early 1990s (or who watches the nostalgia channels on cable) remembers television's Golden Girls — Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia.
Well, Carson City has its own Golden Girls, and they’re named Barbara, Alyce, and Pat. Two of the three will be appearing in the 21st annual Senior Follies in the Bob Boldrick Theater at the Carson City Community Center, 850 E. William Street, July 13-15.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday, July 13 and 2 p.m. matinee performances on July 14 and 15. This year’s show is titled “Follies Favorites — A Sentimental Journey” and features beloved acts from years past.
The Golden Girls have been a feature of the Follies as well as making numerous appearances around Northern Nevada for many years.
Originally founded by Jean Gravenhorst and June McIntyre, the group grew to eight members. Sadly, neither of the founders are with us now, and the ranks have dwindled as members passed on or moved away.
Barbara was the third member of the group and is one of the three remaining members, including Alyce Dickson and Pat Johnson. Barbara and Alyce are both 89, and Pat, the “baby” of the group, is a mere 80 years of age.
Carson City’s Golden Girls are a singing, dancing and comedy entertainment group comprised of “ladies of a certain age.”
They were involved with Dance Spirit for many years and performed at Piper’s Opera House in Virginia City and various venues in Reno and Carson City. They have entertained at senior living facilities, bringing joy and laughter to the residents there.
Perhaps their most famous appearance was at Dayton Valley Days a number of years ago, when seven Golden Girls rode a float, all dressed as Marilyn Monroe. The occasion was a look-a-like contest celebrating the 50th anniversary of the filming of “The Misfits” in Dayton. The Golden Girls took second place as a group.
All three of the current Golden Girls started in the chorus with the Follies, Barbara and Alyce shortly after it started in 1997, and Pat when she moved to Carson City in 2000. All three sang with the chorus in Follies at the beginning.
They were invited to join the Golden Girls and became even more involved with the show. One year the Golden Girls performed in a total of seven acts in the Follies, from dance numbers to skits.
Barbara is recuperating from a bad fall, so will not be performing in this year’s show. She did, however, write the skit that Alyce and Pat will perform, so she’s there in spirit. All three ladies (and those who are no longer with us) have given generously of their time and talents to entertain us.
The Follies has long been a fundraiser for Carson City’s Meals on Wheels program.
Carson City Meals on Wheels provides more than 300 hot, nutritious meals daily to home-bound seniors who might otherwise struggle to get enough to eat. The program will deliver an estimated 90,000 meals this year.
A ticket to the Follies will provide you with two hours of fun and entertainment and will provide meals for home-bound seniors. Tickets are $10 for general admission, and kids four and under are free. Tickets are available at the Carson City Senior Center or at the door prior to performances.
For more information, email Courtney Warner, executive director for the Carson City Senior Center and Carson City Meals on Wheels, at CWarner@carson.org, or call the Center at (775) 883-0703. The Carson City Senior Center is located at 911 Beverly Drive in Carson City.
If you go:
What: The Senior Follies present “Follies Favorites – A Sentimental Journey”
When: Friday July 13 at 7 p.m., Saturday, July 14, and Sunday, July 15 at 2 p.m.
Where: Bob Boldrick Theater, 850 E. William Street, Carson City
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