'Tis the season to sing a song

Kathy Hearn and her husband, Rod, are the new directors of this year's Senior Follies show.

Auditions will be held today at the Carson City Senior Citizens Center, 911 Beverly Drive, from 5-8 p.m. The annual production is a fund-raiser for the Meals on Wheels program at the senior center.

The Senior Follies provides laughter, fun times and, on occasion, inspires a singalong from the audience. Two shows will be held this year at the Carson City Community Center.

The show traditionally was directed by T.J. Gioia of Carson City.

Janice McIntosh, director of the senior center, received several recommendations for from Stephanie Arrigotti, professor for the music and performing arts department at Western Nevada Community College.

"I called Stephanie, and she highly recommended the Hearns, but gave us several people to pick from," McIntosh said.

"Bobbi (Dowell, music director for the Follies) and T.J. spoke with them and thought it would be a wonderful marriage with the seniors.

"The Hearns seem to have a wonderful passion about them and they have worked in Brewery Arts productions. They're not strangers to Carson City."

McIntosh said for her, the Senior Follies production showcases how wonderful seniors are and that age is all relative.

"If not for the Follies, we would have a $20,000 hole to plug in our budget," she added. "The seniors do this from the heart to raise funds for us and for their fellow seniors."

Both Hearns are high school drama teachers in the Washoe County School District and former teachers in the Douglas County School District.

"We're looking at 'A Song for All Seasons' as a stroll through music eras and genre," said Kathy Hearn.

"The first act will be fall and winter, the second act is spring and summer. We'll also have some comedy sketches, a handbell choir and the Senior Stompers."

Hearn said anyone considering auditioning should prepare a song showing them in their best voice.

Hearn also said she has been a professional actress since graduating high school, has worked in theater and taught. She's not really concerned about comparisons to Gioia's productions and is ready to make her own mark.

"There may be similarities in producing, but if you do worry about that, you'll doom yourself. I'll think we'll be OK."

Meals on Wheels provides about 190 meals a day to seniors who cannot leave their home or cook for themselves.

Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.