THEATER Niles seniors plan show

The group is open to interested seniors from throughout the Mahoning Valley.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Jean Parke acknowledges the Niles Senior Players is a relatively small group, with only about 20 members between the ages of 52 and 94.
"But we're mighty," she adds emphatically.
The group, originally known as the Niles Senior Follies, is gearing up for its annual variety show. This year's event is set for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Niles Middle School. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and tickets are $6.
The name change, Parke explains, is meant to reflect a new attitude of the group.
"We just thought it was time that we had a new outlook, a new image," said Parke, a Niles resident who serves as director of the ensemble.
Her top aide, Joe Pazillo of Girard, echoed Parke's thoughts.
"We were trying to inject something new into the group," he said.
The "something new" includes some new faces in the crowd, Pazillo said. About a half-dozen Niles Senior Players will be making their debut this year, he said. Also, Johnny Kay, a WSOM radio personality, will serve as master of ceremonies for the show for the first time.
Variety of talents
The Niles Senior Players features senior citizens from Niles, Girard, Youngstown and elsewhere, Parke said. Their talents include singing and dancing, stand-up comedy and theatrical and comedy skits. This year's show, which centers on the theme "Seniors on Parade," will also feature a magician and a trainer with his talking bird.
Past shows have had themes such as "The Love Boat" and "From the Farm to the City," Pazillo noted.
"We generally try to build each show around one central theme," he said.
Both Parke and Pazillo noted the group is open to any interested seniors, and there may still be some slots open for this year's show.
"Anyone who wants to join can come in and go through their talent for us and we will work them in," Parke said.
For information on joining the Niles Senior Players, or for tickets to the Nov. 20 show, call (330) 652-7281 or (330) 544-3676.
slshaulis@vindy.com