Nostalgic look at history, tradition for this year’s Follies

A grand celebration of the history and traditions of the Mustang Follies will mark the annual Mustang Days variety show next week as the Follies are staged under the title Legends and Legacy – 60 Years.

The Follies will be staged Wednesday and Thursday, June 25-26, at the historic Hyart Theatre, home to the Follies since the show began as a melodrama in 1965.

The fun begins at 6 p.m. with the Mustang Band and the Dollies of the Follies performing on Main Street in front of the theater, and the show will begin at 7 p.m.

The show has moved up in recent years from the traditional 8 p.m. to 7:30 and now 7 p.m., and director Tianne Samson said the Mustang Days Committee felt the show was simply getting over too late in former years.

Samson said she’s excited to display the history of the grand show, calling 60 years “a good milestone.”

“We’re excited to highlight some of the past and ongoing traditions,” Samson said.

After being staged as a Mustang Days melodrama for the first five years, the show transitioned into more of a variety show in 1970, Samson said, adding new acts and talent, though a melodrama was part of the show. The name Mustang Follies was adopted.

The Dollies of the Follies were formed in 1965, as well, and Samson said all former dollies are invited to ride in the parade on June 28 as grand marshals. She asks those interested to RSVP to Jody Lynne Bassett at 307-921-8222 or Kristine Henley at 307-250-0892 so that enough room can be provided and T-shirts can be ordered.

The four longest running acts will be honored during the Follies, Samson said, the Dollies, Rockettes, Bench Dancers and the Rose Queens, the pageant held from 1969 through 2004.

A brief history will be read at the time the Dollies, Rockettes and Bench Dancers perform, and the Rose Queens will be honored with a special song sung by Joseph Shumway.

“The history makes it special this year,” Samson said. “I get emotional. It’s such a special part of our community’s history. I just think it’s such a great thing our community has carried on – these traditions – for so long, and there’s no end in sight.

The show

Samson said the Mustang Band will bring the Dollies to the stage, as always, and Dr. Michael Hill and Renae Ball will be the co-hosts of the show. Acts include a drum solo by Gage  Bair, an original song performed by Conner Mayes, the Absaroka Mountain Thunder cloggers and a new melodrama written by Samson about a villain who steals roses from the Rose City Garden, and a hero arises to save the roses and the heroine, who is the keeper of the roses.

The melodrama is directed by Mary and Logan Blau, and Logan will provide narration.

As part of the nostalgic evening, a Follies choir will sing in honor of Rainbow and other performers. The Rockettes and Bench Dancers will also perform.

The history and tradition will be tied together at the end of the program with a song and dance number to the song “The Time of Our Lives,” Samson said.

Assisting Samson in directing the Follies is Natalie Wardell.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 20, at 5 p.m. at the Lovell Recreation District office at 600 Shoshone Avenue (elementary school parking lot) for those who need assistance with purchasing tickets. Online sales will commence at 6 p.m. Friday at www.ticketor.com/LovellMustangDays and continue throughout the week.

Tickets are $6 each.