Follies Show: Thursday, October 23rd, 7:30 - 9pm ($10 tickets, doors open 7pm) at The Woodland (60 Woodland Rd., Maplewood) Tech/Dress Rehearsal (mandatory): Wednesday, October 22nd, 6:30 - 8:30pm.
Follies Mission: To charm and delight our community with low-stakes, old-school, heartwarming variety family fun—and it’s not a contest!
Get those wheels turning now—the MAPSO FAMILY FOLLIES needs YOU to come up with an act for fall auditions, September 24th! So grab a friend, neighbor, or family member and create a comedy bit, dance routine, or an acoustic song. Or you could sing opera, yodel, do impressions or bird calls; step dance, clogging, tap, or ballet; recite original poetry; perform drag; do magic, juggle, or ventriloquism; act out a dramatic skit or a short scene from your favorite tv show. The only 3 rules are: 3 minutes per act, no drum kits, and no solos. Open to Maplewood/South Orange and surrounding communities, ages 9 to 99. Our FOLLIES motto is: “Have fun!”
Last year’s sold-out, standing-room-only show had two father/daughter acts, a mother/sons act, a family circus act, plus a hilarious crew of neighbors, with fabulous groups of local singers, musicians, and dancers throughout. We even had a theremin player and a roller-skating chicken. So dust off that baton or ribbon dance stick and collaborate creative forces—(Hint: the FOLLIES Team loves multi-cultural and/or generational acts.) We encourage up-tempo, up-beat, fun, or funny acts, so choose your music wisely. Are you taking lessons with other students? Is your uncle a ham? Do you have something from an old show you can pull out of your back pocket? The more the merrier on stage, and the more creative the better. It’s your opportunity to showcase a lesser-known talent in a supportive, low-stakes environment. Surprise your friends and impress/embarrass your kids! The FOLLIES isn’t a contest and there’s no winner. Our goal is charming, quirky, old-timey fun—a heartfelt way to build community.
The FOLLIES Team encourages new acts to audition every year, however, if you’ve been in the show, you may audition a new act with varying performers or a different song or vibe. The MAPSO FAMILY FOLLIES was created by Lara Tomlin and will be made possible by the invaluable efforts and generous support of Andrea Teutli, Miriam R. Perez, and Stacey Ross-Trevor of the Division of Arts & Culture of the Township of Maplewood. Tori Chickering returns as Co-producer/Director/Emcee, Katy Chapman as Co-producer, and Cat Delett as Talent Wrangler, Craig Stout is this year’s Designer, Ridley McIntyre is Stage Manager, and Elizabeth Sarkesian is heading up Stage Crew once again. If you’d like to volunteer for the FOLLIES Team, please email mapsofollies@gmail.com with the subject line: “Follies 2025 - Volunteer Help” and join us!
Follies FAQs, tickets, and photos, visit: maplewoodartsandculture.org/follies