The Friendly Valley Country Club’s Little Theater became a musical time machine on Sunday as seniors danced and sang along to some of their favorite songs from past decades.
Members of the country club put on their annual production before over 100 audience members on Saturday and to another packed house on Sunday. According to director and choreographer Doris Sipotz, this year’s theme of “A Good Time Musical Extravaganza” came to her when different songs kept getting stuck in her head.
“I get music stuck in my head a lot so I thought it would be fun to do it as a musical performance,” Sipotz said. “The rehearsals are always so much fun and we have a lot of laughs. We’re an older generation. I’m 80 years old myself, and it’s amazing some of the things we do at our age.”
This year’s production featured 33 performers and 30 different acts set to timeless favorite songs like Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” Eydie Gorme’s “Blame it on the Bossa Nova” and “A Million Dreams” from the recent hit film “The Greatest Showman.”
Mario Aquilani attended both shows to support his wife, Mercedes, who performed in several of the acts.
“We’ve been part of this production for the last two years and she loves being involved because of the happiness and companionship it brings,” Aquilani said. “I love this performance because we know all of these songs we know from the past.”
Sipotz said that the main objective of the show is for the enjoyment of the cast and the audience.
“Our shows make the older people feel young and alive again,” she said. “I want people to enjoy themselves and for the audience to leave with a happy feeling. The community is really what keeps the show going and I hope the the crowds that come to see us keep growing.”
The Little Theater will perform “A Good Time Musical Extravaganza” on April 12 at 7 p.m. and on April 13 and 14 at 2 p.m. at the Friendly Valley Country Club, 19345 Avenue Of The Oaks, Newhall.
