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History of the Follies
In 1954, “You’re Living” was born, under the direction of Dave Bennett, who also wrote lyrics to John Gile’s music. Two years later, the two collaborated to present “Second Class Matter,” focusing on local topics and lifestyles much as we do today. Five years later Alma Michael joined the two men to write and direct “Old Faces of 1961.”
Then the Follies slept for fifteen years, until Bob Whitley brought forth as director and accompanist “Fox Chapel Folly” with Pat Snyder as choreographer. For this show, there was a large staff of writers, including George Bartholomew, Dave Bennett, Pris Ebert, Suzanne Hilger, Dana Manges and Larry & Barbara Mayer. Too much talent for one year resulted in another show the next year, “That Was the Year That Was” or “Annie Get Your Gun Revisited.” 1979, two years later, featured the 50th anniversary of the Fox Chapel District Association, with a gala dinner and a mini Follies with six musical numbers produced by Chuck and Pris Ebert and directed by Don and Dana Manges.
It wasn’t until six years later (1985) that the Fox Chapel Follies, as we know it today, was resurrected by Beth Smith, Loraine Tarasi and Betsy Kampmeinert. “A City Called Pittsburgh is Brewing” was an original show which featured vignettes of early Fox Chapel and starred John Culbertson as the memorable Chief Guyasuta. In 1988 Jean Cassetti joined the writers for “S.S. Trillium” featuring members of the Fox Chapel Navy in a “lighthearted romp aboard the cruise ship” with its “elite” passengers.
Betty Salmon and Martha Ball collaborated as writers of the next two shows with Jean Cassetti as producer and Bob Whitley as Music Director. “Fox What, It’s Where?” in 1991 turned out to be the launch pad for Lynda Jamison’s professional singing career. The “Trillium Times” followed in 1994 and “Foxy Flo’s Cafe” in 1997. Foxy was produced by Stephanie Veenis and directed by Sally Rooney. More writers were added to those already in place to augur the future: Carole Challinor, Philip Beard II and Reyburn Gove. Most of the same writers gave us “2001: A Fox Chapel Odyssey,” which was produced by Kelly Leslie and directed by Carole Challinor.
And then in 2004, Philip Beard II emerged with his “ever-so-slightly warped mind” as writer and lyricist of “Reality FC.” The so-to-speak “plot line” took the reality tv craze and the shopping craze and applied them to Fox Chapel. The show was directed by Carole Challinor and Kelly Leslie with Dana and Don Manges at the piano.
And in 2007 we had the same writer (although he has added his wife, Traci, as co-lyricist) “Where’s Tiger,” based on the search for Tiger Woods during the U.S. Open at Oakmont ,a search taken to the lengths of fanaticism. The show is produced by Anne Stone, directed by Bill Ivins, President of Stage Right, and musically directed by the team of Susan and Bill Rossetti.
We of the Fox Chapel District Association are proud that we can laugh at ourselves in this very serious world and proud of our talented volunteers that make such laughter and enjoyment possible. Thank you for supporting the follies.
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