PTO TO BRING BACK FOLLIES AT SCOTT CITY

SCOTT CITY -- The PTO Follies are coming back to Scott City schools with a slate full of skits.

The audience will see everything from Martha Stewart parodies, an interview with baseball greats Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire and a skit "Gigantic," a take on the hit movie "Titanic."

It's been a while since a group of community cut-ups took to the stage at the school for the PTO Follies. The event was last held in 1983.

While organizers hope the event brings back memories for some older alumni, they also want to offer some fun and entertainment to younger audiences.

"Heaven knows we needs some good, family entertainment," said Vicki Howell, "and you'd get it at the PTO Follies."

Teachers, parents, coaches and others plan to perform during the Follies at 7:30 tonight and Saturday night at the high school gymnasium. Warm-ups start at 7.

Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for students. Proceeds will help the Parent Teacher Organization buy items for the school.

"We have had so much participation and are excited about what the outcome will bring," said Susie Gilmer, who is helping to organize the event.

About 50 people had signed up to participate in skits and volunteer behind the stage. It's uncertain whether the event will become an annual gathering, but "we look for as good a crowd as we had years ago," Howell said.

She remembers going to the Follies as a child. "It just looked like such fun to be in or to go to see," Howell said, and she wants to continue that tradition for younger students. "That's what we wanted to revive."

After some planning sessions and publicity, the show is set. Dress rehearsals were held earlier in the week so that teacher Jill Pinkston could practice her "Dating Game" skit and basketball coach Derek McCord could perfect his jumps and cartwheels for a cheerleading act.

The show is expected to be two hours and includes skits of Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa in a press interview; "Forrest Gump"; a barbershop quintet; and a take-off on the "Riverdance" and "Lord of the Dance" troupes.

The show will likely bring in a lot of people because "they'll see who might be in it," Howell said. "A lot of teachers are involved, so it's been a buzz at the school."

Proceeds will help provide the PTO's student scholarship and to buy items for teachers, staff and students.