About Us
The Fabulous Santa Cruz Follies
The Santa Cruz Follies is a large cast of talented performers – all 50 years and older – who puts on an original musical revue of song and dance. Our annual theatrical event has continued to attract dynamic and talented performers since 1955. The show is a two hour variety presentation of the talents and theatrical skills of members of this prestigious organization. The planning and production of this show demands the teamwork of over 100 people. We work hand in hand with local businesses to provide you a memorable visit to our fair city. An in-house team works at designing and mailing advance advertising to Tour Bus Operators all over the states of California and Nevada. A reservation team stands ready to respond to any and all requests for information on this extravaganza.
Each year, just about the time school starts, Santa Cruz Follies rolls into the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz, CA. It’s no easy task to load and unload sets and props and get everything set up for presentation of yet another annual review of some of the most fantastic acts ever presented on stage or in movies. The cast members also serve as stage hands during the move in and while striking the set, so buy their share of the show in more ways than one. The show is conceived of and designed and produced by folk who have resigned from all walks of life and want to keep active doing all the things they wanted to do when they were working 9-5 jobs. Not only do we have talented hard working performers, but a big part of the success we enjoy has to do with our “well oiled” volunteer machine. The planning of each show begins immediately following the close of the production. The successful coordination of volunteers and details involved in achieving a project of this magnitude is extraordinary. The coordination and movement of over 80 buses carrying over 3,000 attendees is quite an accomplishment.
Dancers are trained, rehearsed until they’re ready to drop, then placed on stage to give you one of the leggiest shows around. The staccato of taps blending in precision to the music gives you a sample of ear candy that can’t be beat.
Several local restaurants combine with Follies’ organizers to create a fun excursion. (As an example, the Coconut Grove at the world famous Santa Cruz Boardwalk opens to offer a special luncheon by reservation only.)
The Santa Cruz Follies is a fund raising event, produced by The Market Street Theater and Arts Center, to benefit Senior Citizens’ Opportunities, Inc. (SCO), a senior nonprofit organization whose membership is made up of talented artisans and performers.
The Market Street Theater and Arts Center
In addition to producing the Follies the Market Street center produces three monthly theatrical shows and entertainment for their pot luck lunch/business meetings. Other classes being conducted on a weekly basis are Woodcarving, Oil Painting and Lapidary, which attract 25 to 30 students. The woodworking group has a workshop in April and September. In association with the Santa Cruz City Department of Parks and Recreation Pilates classes are held. A future plan for exercise being consider is a Zumba® Gold aerobics for active mature adults.
Senior Citizens’ Opportunities, Inc. (SCO)
SCO is the umbrella non profit organization, unique in the way it provides community building through art, education and entertainment of the highest quality. It accepts support from individuals, businesses, as well as grants from the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County. Grants are also welcomed from business and private foundations. SCO also earns funds needed to operate by producing the yearly Festival of the Arts, which features the talents of local artists, and a monthly pancake breakfast.
…….”We provide an affinity group in Santa Cruz for people 50 and over interested in learning to participate in the performing arts. Professional performers teach new-comers the rudiments of dance, singing, and live theater production through classes and periodic musical variety shows. Auditions and rehearsals take place during the 5 months leading up to the September “Santa Cruz Follies” show performed at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. The show is the culmination of a year of training and planning to demonstrate the abilities, talents and dedication of their performance and production skills.”
