Follies set to start Friday

By Brent Maze (Contact) | Dadeville Record

Published Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Broadway is coming to StillWaters this weekend … sort of.

The 21st annual StillWaters Follies will feature the music of Broadway and the movies Friday and Saturday night at Camp Civitan.

Ted Claudill, assistant chief for the StillWaters Volunteer Fire Department, said volunteer firefighters and other community members performing to the music for the department’s annual fundraiser.

“We’ll be mostly lip-synching to the music because if people heard me start singing, they would hit the doors quickly,” Claudill joked. “If you happen to be in the wrongplace at the wrong time, you’ll get drafted to be in it.”

One of the acts features about 10 men dressed in tutus doing a ballet dance to classical music.

“It’s just a lot of fun for the performers and those who attend the event,” Claudill said. “They tell us it gets better every year.”

The event has also been successful especially recently. Over the last 20 years, StillWater Follies has raised close $100,000 for the department.

“It’s really been good over the last couple of years,” he said. “Program sales are up. Ticket sales are up. It’s just been successful.”

Claudill said about 30 people are involved in the program from performers and stagehands to concession stand workers and people running the spotlights.

However, Claudill said the show wouldn’t go on without Pat Merritt, who helped found StillWaters Follies two decades ago. She started it as a fundraiser for the volunteer fire department and it’s continued through the years.

“She’s the heart and soul of our program,” Claudill said. “She’s the director, producer, choreographer, set builder … she’s done it all. Without her, this program wouldn’t exist.”

The show begins at 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Tickets to either show are $10 and can be purchased at the door.

“If you show up with money, we won’t turn you away,” Claudill added.

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