Mid-Columbia Lions Follies Is Back After Five Years: "Let's Get It Started!" (Photo) - 02/13/24

LOCATION: Hood River Middle School Auditorium

DATES:  March 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 

The Mid-Columbia Lions Follies cast and crew will be bringing back their fun-filled musical performance on March 1, 2, 8, and 9 at 7 pm and the Sunday matinee, March 3 at 2 pm.  All performances are  at the Hood River Middle School Auditorium located at 1602 May Street in Hood River. Tickets are $15.00 General admission and $10 for students 12 and under.   Pre-schoolers are free.  Tickets may be purchased from local Lions at Waucoma Book Store, Key Bank on the Heights, at the door, and online (olshf.org/lions-follies).  
 

“Let’s Get It Started” will not only celebrate bringing this show back to the community, but will add song and comedy to the way lives have changed over the past five years.  From hiring problems to flight travel issues, there is plenty of material for the show.  Music will include country, pop and standards. Two vocal highlights are “Sounds of Silence” performed by Amy White and “God’s Country” by Dave Tallman.  In addition to White and Tallman, Sarah Fox, Jeremy Belcher, and Diane Murphy are a few of the returning performers.  Oh, did we mention Bigfoot, Mario and Luigi – what in the world do they have to do with Follies?  You will need to find out for yourself.  
 

This is the 44^th show, an annual event that has been performed since 1977 (cancelled during pandemic years.  Generations of audience and performers have enjoyed watching and performing in the show.  For many years, the Can-Can was a staple.  While there is no Can-Can this year, there is an opening number that will evoke those “hand-clapping in sync” memories, but with a new look.  The Follies Youth Corps will open with a rollicking Hip Hop number to “Let’s Get It Started.” Leading vocals on this number are Stanley Murray and Amy White.

The local performers are excited to get back on-stage.  Sarah Fox, whose entire family has been in the show over the years says, “Being a part of a show like this for 25 years is proof of how much the cast and crew are a family.  Follies is philanthropy at its finest.  We take the stage to dance and sing in the bright lights so others can see.  That is truly a blessing and a gift to everyone involved.”

Natasha Decker commented, “I am so excited that the Follies are back this year!  The long practices are always worth it, knowing that we are raising money for a great cause.  Not only that, but the show is so fun-filled and I enjoy being surrounded by so many amazing people. ‘Let’s Get It Started’ for Follies 2024!”
 

Brayden Fogle, a local student, wants to get on stage, sing, and dance and hopes to have a few lines of dialogue.  He is part of the Follies Youth Corps.
 

Bev Bridgewater returns as Director and Trudy Tallman as Producer.  Hood River Lions, Hood River Eye Opener Lions, and The Dalles Lions are the sponsoring clubs of the show.  The Hood River Leos will be offering cookies and water during the performances.  Bridgewater commented that they have worked on “modernizing” the show with a digital screen as part of the set, upgraded sound system, streamlined ad and ticket sales, and going to credit card options for sales.  “We are so excited to get in front of an audience again,” Bridgewater says.  “We’ve missed them and are ready to give them a show they will enjoy with plenty of music, comedy and action.  It’s Follies!”

All proceeds go to the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation (OLSHF), a statewide nonprofit whose mission is to screen, treat, save, and restore sight and hearing in partnership with Lions Clubs. 100% of donations go directly to sight and hearing programs that help Oregonians in need to access eyeglasses, hearing assistance, treatments, and surgeries.  The OLSHF, supported by the local Lions, perform screen screening for over 200,000 students across the State, including Hood River and Wasco county schools.  Further, local Lions provide sight grants to local folks in need.  For information on local support, contact Trudy Tallman at 541-380-0544.