Lions Follies return for 85th year
By BRANDY CRUZ | Photos courtesy of the TEMPLE FOUNDER LIONS CLUB
Prepare for a belly of laughs as the Temple Founder Lions Club prepares its 85th year of Lions Follies, a show with outrageous skits that will leave the audience doubled over with laughter.
“The Lions show is essentially a Saturday Night Live type production with comedy skits and musical acts based upon topics that are unique to Temple and the surrounding area,” said Jamey Secrest, who has participated in the fundraiser for more than 15 years.
She said the comedy troupe appeals to adults and children alike, with the performers playfully making jabs at members of the community while improvising segments of the show.
“For generations this show has been about local business men and women stepping outside their usual personas and exploring their creative, artistic sides to the humorous enjoyment of the crowd,” Secrest said. “This is the part I have enjoyed the most throughout the years — watching respected members of our business community do just about anything to get a laugh.”
Cindy Southerland, president of the Temple Founder Lions Club, said the follies will include 10-12 skits or musical numbers split into two acts, with an intermission. Although the skits change every year, some return by popular demand. This year, Thurlow D. Pigg, NewsWrong 6 and The East Bell County Boys will be returning with skits.
“One of the favorites is the East Bell County Boys, who try every year to break in to show business by coming up with a different name for their band and putting their own spin on songs that sound vaguely familiar,” Southerland said. “Like East Bell County Bohemian Beatles and their song, ‘We all live in a barn in Ratibor.’”
Although they steer clear of national politics, she said anything local is fair game, which is always fun.
“The audience never knows what to expect, except that they will be entertained,” Southerland said. “They will be in on every joke and love the musical numbers.”
The event will include three performances at the Temple Cultural Activities Center at 7 p.m. April 4 and 5, along with a matinee at 2 p.m. April 5. Get tickets at https://centraltexastickets.com/organizations/temple-founders-lions-club.
