By Laurie O’Brien
Who says you have to hang up your tap shoes when you’re eligible for AARP? It’s certainly not the members of Entertainment Explosion whose 60-plus members are set to sing, dance, and generally have great time when they present the 8th Annual Really Big Shoe this Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m. on the stage of the Washington Center for the Performing Arts.
Alice Brown is one of the performers in this year’s Shoe. She’s been a member of Entertainment Explosion, whose members range in age from 55 to 85, since 2010. “We cross the spectrum of musical backgrounds,” she explains. “I never even sang a solo until I started singing with the chorus at Jubilee.” Now she keeps busy performing in a mixed trio as well as an octet of women called Potpourri. The groups get lots of opportunities for local sing outs throughout the year.
Having performed roles in over 30 musical productions up and down the I-5 corridor over the years, Mary Petzold is on the other end of the experience spectrum. “I sang for 18 years in the resident chorus of the Seattle Opera,” says the spry octogenarian. Petzold usually has a featured solo in the Big Shoe, but made the decision to sit out this year to nurse a recent injury. Still, even injury couldn’t keep her from a recent rehearsal where she sat wearing her trademark sequined tennis shoes, providing encouragement to her friends and fellow performers.
Each of the smaller ensembles in Entertainment Explosion is responsible for rehearsing on its own, and each has a repertoire of music or dance numbers that can be performed alone or combined in shows anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours in length. According to Alice Brown, since its inception, Entertainment Explosion acts have been seen all over Thurston County. “We have performed in retirement homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. We do fundraisers, private shows, community events, and stage productions, including gigs at the Puyallup Fair, the Thurston County Fair, Capital Lakefair, Panorama, Patriots Landing, Jubilee, the Lacey Farmer’s Market, the Tumwater Farmer’s Market, and the Olympia Farmer’s Market.”
Because there are no paid performers or staff members, the money earned through paid performances is used only for operating expenses of the group, including those incurred producing a full scaled show like the Really Big Shoe.
In 2006, Entertainment Explosion members partnered with eight local school districts and Community Youth Services of Thurston County and The Really Big Shoe was born. Members had been looking for a cause to support, and helping youth seemed like a natural fit. According to Brown, proceeds distributed over the past eight years have surpassed $160,000.
Carol Thompson is one of the founders of Entertainment Explosion and sings in Potpourri. She explains that in addition to giving seniors a performing outlet, one of the primary goals of Entertainment Explosion is to support worthy causes through fundraisers like the Big Shoe. “We wanted to give everyone the opportunity to perform,” she says. But with the Big Shoe, “Every expense is Entertainment Explosion’s expense. Every dollar from the sponsors and from ticket sales goes to help the homeless and needy children of Thurston County.”
This year’s Big Shoe is directed by Derek Werrett with choreography by Gwen Haw. As director, Werrett was able to select the theme, which this year features music from the movies including full scale show stoppers and lesser known ballads. Featured Entertainment Explosion acts include the Pan Singers, Capital City Cloggers, Steppin’ Out, Potpourri, South Sound Trio, Music Matters Band, and Just for Fun as well as a few solo acts.
Tickets to the “Really Big Shoe” are available at the Washington Center Box Office (Ph: 360-753-8586) or at OlyTix.org. Ticket prices range from $10 – $21, including the WCPA fee of $3 per ticket.
To learn more about Entertainment Explosion, visit their website.
