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Since 1948...The longest running annual school fundraiser in the United states. |
A big check for a great cause
Stephen O'Brien, representing the 60th production of The Fathers' Follies (2007) presents a BIG check to P.T.A. president Launa Penza. The fathers of Verdugo Woodlands have a long history of supporting the school through the madcap antics of the Fathers Follies, a hit among the students since 1948. |
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What is Fathers Follies? It is something unique to Verdugo Woodlands. Every year, a new original musical comedy by the fathers of Verdugo Woodlands Elementary School. Read more... |
Learn about last year's show |
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2008 Show - Greg Schowengerdt is heading up Fathers' Follies again this year. Echoes had a chance to catch up with the energetic dancer as he prepares for his 8th Follies.
Echoes: 8 years? Greg, haven't you learned anything yet?
Greg: Well, I'm still trying to get the Can Can right. But in all seriousness, I've gotten a lot out of this. Ask any dad in Follies and they'll tell you the same thing: this is a great way to meet others dads who you wouldn’t otherwise get a chance to know. Follies brings the Verdugo Woodlands community together. Plus the moms, who spend countless hours behind the scenes helping us get it right. |
Echoes: Getting it right isn't one of the things you often hear about Follies.
Greg: But isn't that the fun in it? Our kids love it when they see their dads pirouette in a "ballet." It's something they'll never forget! And they love it when we "sing" and "perform" on stage. So we do get it right... the Follies way.
Echoes: Anything special planned for this year, the 61st?
Greg: We try hard to make every year special... and this year the operating words are short, fun and family friendly. We have a terrific script that moves right along and we’re aiming for a 60 minute show! We're also working hard to keep this show appropriate for everyone so that no one will be offended or bothered by any antics or costumes on stage. Grade School Musical will be FUN for the whole family and sure to be popular because all our kids already know the music. Plus this year a lucky student or two will get chosen to join us on stage and be part of the show!
Echoes: This has been going on for 61 years. What are some of the traditions that have endured?
Greg: We couldn't do it without the moms of VW. They've been helping out since the beginning. A couple of our involved moms haven’t had children at VW for years!! Another tradition we’re continuing is our own fabulous Mr. D! Plus the Principal is always included in the show, but everyone knows that no woman’s feet can touch the Follies’ stage, so we have to be creative. One year Mrs. Buhl was carried out on a chaise... Another year she appeared on a Spinning Wheel of Doom.
Echoes: And what about this year?
Greg: You'll just have to come to the show and find out!
Echoes: Any other traditions?
Greg: The dads and their involvement making VW a community. The dads do this for the kids and to show their children that dads are also kids at heart, that we can laugh at ourselves. There isn't a dad at our school that can't help in some way, making their child's memories of VW that much better. Our website receives emails from former VW students all over, like the one from a former student from the 1960s. He found the website and got so excited about it that he went through his father's storage boxes and sent us photos from the early days. Now that's a tradition worth keeping alive. 60 years and counting...
Echoes: Wow, now I want to be part of Follies!
Greg: You can...can. It's not too late to be part of the tradition and fun. We still need moms & dads to help back stage, plus there’s our program – right now we’re selling advertising space. And we want to see every VW family at Fathers’ Follies May 9 & 10!
For more about the history of Fathers’ Follies and information about this year's show, please visit us online at www.fathersfollies.org. To get involved, please contact Greg Schowengerdt at 818.216.3100 or
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