Red Stocking Follies’ 27-Year Run Was ‘Folly’ Unforgettable

The Red Stocking Follies, a beloved local variety show that commenced in 1968 to raise funds for a community center, marked a vibrant chapter in Groesbeck’s cultural history. Sponsored by the Groesbeck Study Club, the inaugural show, “Where the Fun Is,” was directed by Mexia’s own Tom Chatham and featured an array of skits, dance numbers, and vocal performances accompanied by the GHS Jazz Band and pianist Beulah Geren.
Building on its initial success, the 1969 production, “Hysterical, Historical Follies,” saw the addition of a third show night due to popular demand, setting a precedent for performances spanning the last weekend of February and the first weekend of March. This trend continued for several years, drawing packed audiences.
In 1970, Baylor and future UT Austin graduate Jerry MacLauchlin took the helm with “Those Wonderful Years,” a two-act musical comedy, establishing the tradition of souvenir programs. The community’s enthusiasm for the Follies translated into successful fundraisers that facilitated the completion of the Community and Civic Center, which hosted its first event, the GHS Football Banquet, on February 13, 1971.
Tragedy struck the center a month later when vandals shot out its glass doors on March 11. Undeterred, the Follies persisted, with 1971’s “The Art of Living,” written, directed, and choreographed by Baylor students Mrs. Jo Bailey Guthrie and Bob Guthrie. The following years saw MacLauchlin’s return with “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show” in 1972 and “Flim Flam” in 1973.
James Henderson, head of the theatre department at MCC, directed the 1974 “Roaring 20’s” variety show, which saw record attendance despite scheduling delays. Henderson continued with “The Nostalgic Forties” in 1975 and the bicentennial-themed “The Spirit of ‘76” in 1976. Around this time, sponsorship shifted from the Groesbeck Study Club to the independent Red Stocking Follies Council and the proceeds from one production went to aiding the PTA in providing air conditioning to the schools.
The 10th production, “All That Jazz,” directed by MacLauchlin in 1977, shifted the focus of proceeds to the Civic Center’s expansion.
Larry Horn of the Calvert Hotel Dinner Theater directed “A Taste of the Good Times” in 1978, followed by MacLauchlin’s “Carnival” in 1979 and “The Time Machine” in 1980, the latter introducing the Knee High Follies, a children’s talent showcase.
Helen Mielke directed the 1981 production “TV Comes to Groesbeck,” benefiting the Maffett Memorial Library, and continued with “A Salute to the Stars” in 1982. Pamela Jamain, Mielke’s daughter, directed “Follies Go On Tour” in 1983, and Mielke returned with “Follies Remake History” in 1984.
The mid-80s saw diverse direction with Flo Wendorf’s “Follies in Search of Trivia” in 1985 and Marcia Beaver’s “Hello Follies, Hello” in 1986. Mike Trussell, Groesbeck ISD band director, helmed the 1987 “Follies ‘87” and “Standing Room Only” in 1988. Kathleen Cockroft directed “Nickelodeon” in 1989 and co-directed “Forever Gold” with Trussell in 1990.
The 1991 show, “Follies Salute America,” was co-directed by Cockroft and Daryl Worley. Cockroft returned for the 25th-anniversary production in 1992, which revisited fan-favorite numbers, and co-directed “Follies Goes to Hollywood” with James Thomason in 1993, which introduced the Follies’ Oscars. Most notably, Martha and Tom Longbotham were awarded the Fay Leach Lifetime Achievement Award for having appeared in every production to date and Cockroft was awarded the Bob Fosse Special Achievement in Directing Award.
Cockroft choreographed and directed the 1994 “Follies Presents Best of Broadway.” Mary Little directed “The ‘Red Hot’ Follies” in 1995, unaware it would be the final show. A planned 1996 production, “Disney Spectacular,” was ultimately canceled.
Reflecting on his time with the Follies, MacLauchlin shared, “I was just bringing up all the great times I had doing Red Stocking Follies, with Joe Cannon as Emcee, to a Physical Therapist, Emily Green, who’s from Mexia: she’s not old enough to remember actual shows but I enlightened her to the fun we had ‘Puttin’ On A Show.’ I totally fell in love with all things Groesbeck. Plus, the Groesbeckians knew how to party. And, for a guy in his senior year at Baylor Theatre, being given the opportunity to create a show for these wonderfully diverse and talented people, was a gift. The time we had to interrupt rehearsals because too many cows had eaten too much clover and had jumped the fence… all of us helped round up the tipsy cows before we could finish rehearsals. Those were fantastic times.”
The Follies not only provided entertainment but also bolstered community spirit and infrastructure, leaving an indelible mark on Groesbeck’s cultural landscape.
Pictures, costumes, and information about the Red Stocking Follies can be found in the foyer of the Groesbeck Convention Center.