From Miami to La Crosse: The Golden Girls make a comeback

One night, one audience, four puppets, and hundreds of laughs. On Wednesday, Oct. 29, Viterbo University kicked off its 2019-2020 NexStar Season with the touring company of “That Golden Girls Show! A Puppet Parody.” A theatrical spin-off of Susan Harris’s timely show, “The Golden Girls,” left the audience begging for more.

John Rockefeller, writer and director of the puppet parody, aimed to capture the essence of Harris’s work. Ultimately, he put together a piece that served as a reminiscent highlight reel of Harris’s seven seasons of comedic gold; as result, audiences ate it right up.

Though a majority of productions begin with the house lights dimming, an announcement, and a moment of silence, this show was quite the opposite. There was a unique quality of excitement amongst the audience members. A number of individuals chatted with friends and waited in expectation of the show. When, suddenly, a woman walked onto the stage in a bright dress, everyone’s energy focused, yet the buzz of excitement remained in the air.

To start things, a trivia session with three audience members took place to put everyone in a positive mindset before the show. This allowed those in attendance to take a moment to step out of their busy lives, be present, and enjoy themselves during the performance.

After the trivia session, the audience was invited into the lively world of four icons: Blanche, Sophia, Rose, and Dorothy. Set in Miami, in the comfort of a welcoming home, these four women have been living together and their daily interactions never disappoint. Although they are older, they didn’t miss a beat, and their witty comments kept the audience on the edge of their seats.

Arguably, the best part of the night was the recognization of audience members, both familiar with the TV show and those yet to see an episode, who came together to share an equally entertaining night. This inclusive and comedic experience was a unique approach to create community within the theatre. Through the presentation of four puppets, some crazy circumstances, and timeless throwback tunes, “That Golden Girls Show! A Puppet Parody” had a successful show in La Crosse.