=
Expand search form

Senior Follies – Multiple chances for a little shared laughter

By Melissa Wagoner

Candace Pressnall has been involved with the theater for over 40 years. 

“I even have a degree in it,” she said proudly. “I’ve enjoyed it a lot.”

Which is why, when the Silverton Senior Center decided to pivot to a more member-led programming, she jumped at the chance to bring a little theater to the lives of her fellow members. 

“I’m from Coos Bay and they had [Senior Follies] there and it was a huge success,” she said of the impetus for the idea that she eventually presented to the Senior Center’s Executive Director, Dodie Brockamp, for a three-day, no holds barred talent show/comedy act.

“Follies means fun,” Pressnall said of the primary difference between follies and a traditional talent pageant. “They’re making fun of themselves,” she added. 

Whimsical in presentation, this year’s Follies will include dancers, singers, musicians and spoken word poets. 

“Along with a couple of crazy MCs,” Pressnall added, referring to Dixon Bledsoe and Sharon Messman, whose talents with a microphone fill in any gaps. 

“These people are awesome,” Pressnall continued, referencing the 20 performers, who have been working hard for months in preparation for the final event, which will be held June 17 and 18 at 7 p.m., as well as on June 19 at 2 p.m. in the Silverton High School auditorium.

“And there are different shows on different nights,” Pressnall added. “So, people can come to all the shows.” 

Appropriate for audiences of all ages, Pressnall hopes to fill the entire 600-person theater, something she thinks would be a benefit to both the actors, who have put in many long hours, as well as the audience – many of whom have missed out on live
theater events during the past two years. 

“People are really wanting to get out and do things now,” Brockamp pointed out. “And this is going to be our signature event.”

Senior Follies

Silverton High School Auditorium: 1456 Pine St.

June 17 & 18, 7 p.m.; June 19 2 p.m.

$10 general admission

$5 children under 10

Half price for dads on Father’s Day

Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at the Silverton Senior Center, 115 Westfield St.

Previous Article

In Memoriam: Clifford Eugene Herr (July 25, 1932 – May 13, 2022)

Next Article

Free Fish Day – Kids invited to drop a line in at reservoir

You might be interested in …

Wine & Jazz blooms: Devin Phillips, Patrick Lamb headline festival

By Melissa Wagoner A host of jazz musicians are making their way to Silverton for the second annual Willamette Valley Wine and Jazz Festival March 12 and 13. The festival music will kick off on Saturday at the Oregon Garden with Devin Phillips, 1-3 p.m. Originating from the home of jazz, New Orleans, Phillips has performed with such big names […]

James Day

Achievement round up – Lots of accomplishments to report

The header that accompanies this column says “Sports & Recreation.” In this edition I am going to bend, if not shatter, the rules a bit. The challenge is that there are tons of things happening in the Silverton-Mount Angel-Scotts Mills area that involve individuals, particularly school-aged individuals or those who work with school-aged individuals, who are striving and achieving.  My […]

Mosher and Fisher: SHS grads return as the school’s volleyball coaches

The Silverton High School volleyball program benefits this fall from two first-year coaches, both recent SHS grads. Justine Mosher (SHS ’08) coaches the freshmen team; Staci Fisher (SHS ’04) guides the junior varsity team. Both Mosher and Fisher assist Head Coach Kirsten Barnes with the varsity team, which was ranked fourth in the state at the season’s midpoint.