Wrinkles of Washington presents "Home at Last … A Tank Town Tale" Friday to Sunday at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. The production benefits Senior Services for South Sound.
The tone of the show is patriotic, humorous and non-political - with fantastic music and dancing framing the works, said Georgia Williams, a dancer in the show and co-director of the group's spring music review performances.
In this snapshot of life, a war has recently ended and troops and USO members are returning to the town of Wrinkleton, Wash., where a munitions plant has wound down in its function of providing armaments for the conflict.
"Everyone has a different idea of what they want to convert it into," she said, and the race is on as folks scramble to get there first and put their ideas into practice, from creating a tavern to a spa to a church. Adding a twist, there's a mystery man who has been hiding out in the building.
"It's a comedy, number one, and people like that. It's filled with some of the old songs people love," said director Michele Penberthy, 60.
The tap dancers, the costumes and the music are all worth seeing too, she said.
Those who go to see the two-act show will find out whether a minor war will break out at home over the conflicting ideas, or whether the townspeople will work things out and realize their dreams.
The question of the mystery man also will be answered.
Senior Services for South Sound Director Eileen McKenzieSullivan said this is the 13th year Wrinkles of Washington has put the show on to raise money for the organization. WOW donates between $10,000 and $12,000 annually and has raised more than $190,000 in the time it's been putting on the fall production.
"That's no small peanuts," Williams said.
McKenzieSullivan said many families have come to enjoy the fall production the past decade.
"That's because the quality of it is really, really good. Great dancing, great music, great singing," she said. "This is not like going to your fifth-grader's band concert - this is really quality stuff."
The performers, all 55 or older, also are inspirational, she said.
"I'm in my early 50s now. Seeing these folks into their 70s - and 80s even - singing and dancing and doing theater is inspirational," she said.
"It gives me something to look forward to … people see them and say, 'Yes, old age is not about rocking chairs and succumbing to aches and pains.' "
Williams, 78, is a prime example. Her tap dance line, Prime Time Tappers, is doing three numbers, along with some others that feature duets and trios.
Year-round, the dancers hold two-hour practices twice a week, and also make most of their own costumes - along with practicing and performing for the show, said Williams, who has been involved with the group for a decade.
WOW also has an annual spring production - set for April 12-13 at Olympia High School - and performs frequently throughout the community.
Williams' husband, Robert, is a musician in the fall production - including playing saxophone and singing - as well as the other director of the spring show.
His wife describes him as a "consummate musician," adding when she met him on Guam in 1953 that ability attracted her to him - along with being "darling and handsome."
Being involved with WOW is fun for both, she said, adding the friendships are great, too.
"The women I dance with are just terrific people," she said and always willing to volunteer for a good cause.
Penberthy said the fall production is put on by about 30 people volunteering to perform and many, many more working backstage.
Williams believes it's important the group continue to contribute to senior services.
"They're the forgotten people, I'm afraid, when it comes to funds from the community or the government," she said.
McKenzieSullivan of Senior Services said the private, nonprofit agency was in tight financial straits when WOW began donating, and their annual funds help enormously.
The donation helps three main programs: the senior nutrition program, including Meals on Wheels, the STARS adult daycare program and the regular senior program. Whether it's lunch or adult day care, those with low income are assisted with paying for services.
There are some 3,000 members to the agency.
"It helps us to serve low-income seniors who cannot afford care. A lot of people assume the government provides those services, but that's not true," she said. "…WOW has really helped us carry out our mission."
If you go
Wrinkles of Washington presents "Home at Last … A Tank Town Tale" to benefit the South Sound Senior Center. Tickets are $14 to $18 plus a $2.50 service fee. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are at the box office, 360-753-8586 or available online at www.washingtoncenter.org.
