Photos by Tom Sandelands
Connecting with our fans is just one more perk of leading a rockin roll senior ensemble. The interesting characters, the talent, the stories and kindness keep us all motivated to bring our inspirational message to the masses. We are continually trying to find ways to connect with fans and an event that continues to be super successful each year is the Cast Party.
We rocked the house last night at “Alison Scott’s Soulful Christmas”, a holiday tradition for fans across the midwest. The wonderful experience started from the moment our directors,
cast & crew walked in the door. Michael helped set the stage and warm-ups ran smoothly as well. Alive & Kickin was in the house and we were ready to shake the rafters as Alison’s guests.
Seniors have laid the groundwork for me, for all of us, to enjoy the freedoms and social understandings that we do today. Please join me honoring their work and the lessons your grandparents have provided by financially supporting our next endeavors.
Alive & Kickin, the beloved twenty-eight member senior ensemble, led by award-winning Artistic Director Michael Matthew Ferrell and Co-creator/Musical Director Jason Hansen, is set to launch their full-scale theatrical event, “Winds of Change”. The show is a heartwarming performance filled with captivating personal stories about social advancements set to inspiring music of the ages performed by a cast unlike any you’ve ever seen before.
Alive & Kickin is billed as “the Twin Cities’ premiere rockin’ senior ensemble group.” I’m not sure there’s a whole lot of competition in that category, but the women and men of Alive & Kickin’ are most definitely awesome. For the past five years, Michael Matthew Ferrell (Theater Latte Da’s resident choreographer) has led this talented group of singers ranging in age from 60s to 90s, with music direction by Jason Hansen. With talent like that behind them, this group is no joke. They sing a variety of classic rock and pop songs, or as this musical theater geek likes to call them, Glee songs. In fact, Michael Matthew Ferrell is a little like the Mr. Schuester of senior citizens. I imagine them gathered in their choir room every week, learning a life lesson through the music of Queen or Katie Perry or Lady Gaga. Except in this case, it’s the seniors who are the teachers with their years of life experience. One of Alive & Kickin’s goals is to give voice to senior citizens, an important but often ignored segment of our society. This week they performed at the Varsity Theater with some of the Twin Cities’ top talent from the world of music and theater, sponsored and emceed by myTalk 107.1, to raise money for a permanent choir room, er… rehearsal space.
In a little more than 24 hours and we will all travel down to the Varisty Theater to put on a show like no other. The cast has been working 4-hour rehearsal days to bring us all an unforgettable night of music. Tickets to “Duets” can be found by clicking here. Part of this experience that has made it unforgettable for us is being able to work with the countless people behind the scenes: myTalk 107.1 staff has been phenomenal in their support on-air and off, Lola Red Public Relations, the TV stations, Heritage Park Senior Service Center for rehearsal space and hospitality, Rock the Cause…the list goes on and on. For the last few weeks, we have been literally reduced to tears…moved and blown away by the talent that has come to share our gifts with us each week at rehearsal. We are so excited to share this experience with you.
