FL
O
RE
NC
E
Ho
Ho
Hollywood
Santa, Sarge
and his elves
take off from
the North
Pole
COURTESY PHOTO
Holly Jolly Follies returns to Florence Events Center Dec. 2-4
t is time for merriment
and mirth as Holly
Jolly Follies takes the
stage with “Ho-Ho
Hollywood” at Florence
Events Center in four per-
formances Dec. 2 to 4.
I
Prepare to sing along with a host of
area
performers
—
including
Children’s Repertory of Oregon
Workshops (CROW) singers and
dancers, belly dancers, cowboys, tap-
dancers and more — during this conti-
nent-crossing show.
Sarge Elf (played by Mike Smith)
isn’t amused by all of the shenanigans
in this year’s Holly Jolly Follies.
1 0 • C OAST
Santa (Dorland Neale) has been kid-
napped by Jack Frost (Mike Jacobson),
and Sarge has no qualms about telling
you exactly how he feels about that. Of
course, he does so in such a charming
way that you can’t help but love him
anyway.
It’s a frantic race in the “back up
sleigh” from the North Pole to Los
Angeles to rescue Santa, reform Frost
and see if Christmas can be saved
before too much craziness ensues.
This year’s hilarious show was
penned by local author, Rose Ellen
Jacobson, of Poison Pen Players, and
directed by CROW artistic director
Melanie Heard.
An army of incredible volunteers has
been collecting props, painting
scenery, arranging music and assem-
C ENTRAL • A r t s & E n t e r t a i n m e n t • D E C EM B E R 20 1 6
bling all of the red and green costumes
that are located in the immediate vicin-
ity.
The Follies features some old
favorites (like “Sarge”) as well as some
new surprises, such as a not-to-be
missed commercial message featuring
Florence’s own Mayor Joe Henry.
Rumor has it that Siuslaw News editor-
in-chief Ned Hickson has his mind
made up to “Thank you very much” as
“Elfis,” and that Betty Dumbauld’s
Encore Tappers are ready to share some
Shirley Temple sweetness.
The FloTones and Siuslaw High
School choir will be singing holiday
favorites, and Buck and a Quarter Band
will make an appearance.
And then there’s those adorable
CROW kids, ready to entertain you
with a Tarzan-themed dance, and some
pretty snazzy holiday characters.
The 2016 Holly Jolly Follies will be
presented at the Florence Events
Center, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m., Dec. 3 at 2
p.m. and 7 p.m., and Dec. 4 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $18 for adults or $10 for
kids ages 12 and under.
Proceeds will go toward future arts
programming for youth, and a new
graduating senior scholarship fund that
CROW has created.
In addition, See’s Candy will be sold
in the lobby, and those who bring two
non-perishable food items to any per-
formance for Florence Food Share will
receive a free See’s Candy lollipop.
Tickets can be purchased by calling
541-997-1994
or
by
visiting
www.eventcenter.org.