b'Wanted: Quirky, Corny and Charming TalentGet ready to audition for the MAPSO Family Follies Talent Show BY TORI CHICKERING AND ELLEN DONKER PHOTOS BY LISA WHITEMANA re you the typeics and acrobats of varying ages and who would likeexperience, scramble backstage to get toseeashowinto places!featuringdanc- The Follies team hopes the show ers,musicians,continuesformanygenerationsto circusfolk,come. As Rodgers says, Its a home-slampoets,grownmixofseasonedtalentand drag queens, cloggers, dad-joke tellersbrand-new performers, so the audi-or bird-callers? Or would you like theenceneverknowswhollgracethe chance to perform your quirky or hi- stage next. But they know theyll be larious act in front of your friends anddelighted.neighbors? Theshowisfortifiedbythein-Since2023,theMAPSOFam- The Lipman Family Circus wowed last years MAPSO Family Follies audience. valuablesupportofMaplewoods ily Follies has given our towns an old- township administration and Andrea timey,heartwarming,low-stakes,family-friendly,dance or revisit that ventriloquist routine.Teutli, Miriam R. Perez and Stacey Ross-Trevor of local talent show. As the director and co-producer, IThe Follies asks three local luminaries (businessthe Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture.describe it as a 90-minute, neighbor-studded showowners, arts instructors or supporters) to serve asThe Follies depends on its volunteer backstage with a nod to 80s show-biz variety shows. Thinkaudition judges. There are two key rules: 1) no actcrew,localphotographer(LisaWhiteman),de-Waiting for Guffman meets The Gong Show meetsmay be more than three minutes and 2) positivelysigner (Craig Stout), and, as Delett says, our lo-Americas Got Talent.no solos. The no solos rule fosters creative collab- cal trove of awesome arts instructors. There have oration by insisting family, friends and neighborsbeen show-stopping dance numbers from Studio work together to come up with an act. 509 Fitness and musical acts from InterAct and The multi-generational acts are really special,TheStrollers.In Tune,SOMAPopChoirand says Sybil Rodgers, Follies consultant and formerSouth Orange Symphony have been represented, co-producer. To see kids on stage with their par- and MMS, SOMS and CHS students have per-entssibs and grandparents cheeringis to seeformed.the spirit of MAPSO in action.Anyone Your likelihood of being cast also improves byages 9 to 99 doing something upbeat, fun or uptempo. JustinMaple-keep it under three minutes, says talent coordina- wood, South tor Cat Delett. Orangeand Teddy & Sasha Ames sang In the Shallow. In case you havent been to a Follies show be- surround-But the Follies is not a contest. Its an opportu- fore, local ukulele instructor and Follies performeringtownsLast years show ended with an All nity for performers of all experience levels to col- Mary Amato says, Its a glorious, uproarious anti- isinvitedtoCast Sing-a-Long Finalelaborate and challenge themselves in a welcomingdote to isolation and a great way to make randomauditionon community and be unabashedly silly. As comedi- new friends.Wednesday,September24,6to8p.m.atThe enne and icon Cher quips, Until youre ready toOf course, the best part of the show is the em- Woodland. Online submissions will be accepted look foolish, youll never be great. Those wordscee: ME! Audience plant Chrissy McIntyre says,through September 30.sum up the core of the Follies mission. Tori brings a wonderful enthusiasm, making ev- TheFollieswillbeheldatTheWoodland, Its also where you come in. The Follies teameryone on stage feel confident and special.Thursday, October 23 at 7:30 p.m. Buy your tick-wants you to audition. The more quirky or unpre- Not convinced? Amato adds, Shes masterfulets early as the show usually sells out. For tickets, dictable your audition, the better. Its a chance toat keeping the crowd engaged with grace and hu- audition guidelines, online submissions and more, twirl that baton again, brush up on your ribbonmor while all of us singers, dancers, jugglers, com- visit maplewoodartsandculture.org/follies. 38/ matters magazine / school 2025'