By Joanie Cox-Henry
Get ready to chuckle and cheesecake your way down memory lane as The Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue tour brings Miami's sassiest seniors back to the Broward Center Amaturo Theater in Fort Lauderdale. Running from Sept. 3 through Sept. 29, this uproarious stage adaptation promises to deliver the heartfelt hilarity that made the original TV series a beloved classic that none of us want to stop reliving.
For Vince Kelley, who plays the sassiest Southern belle Blanche Devereaux, the show is more than just a performance—it's a lifelong dream come true. South Florida Concert News was lucky enough to get a call from Kelley to chat about all things Golden Girls.
"I debuted the same year as the The Golden Girls–1985," Kelley reminisces. "I was with my grandma a lot when I was little, and we'd watch what I called 'The old lady show.'"
This early exposure to the quick-witted foursome left an indelible mark on Kelley. "At 4, 5 and 6 years old, you're not getting all of the jokes but grandmother just loved it. She'd be cracking up and I always loved everything she loved."
Growing up in Detroit, Kelley broke into acting as a kid.
“I was seven years old, and my uncle’s girlfriend at the time, who later became his wife, was involved in musical theater and choir at school. they were doing The Sound of Music, and she asked my mom if she could take me to audition for this play,” Kelley recalls. “My mom said yes, and I auditioned, and I got into the show. I liked it a lot and wanted to do more of it. Then I landed a role in Peter Pan."
Kelley adds that while doing one show a year brought him a lot of joy, it simply wasn’t enough to satisfy his craving for the stage. He attributes his third-grade teacher to helping him expand his acting career and introducing him to voice lessons. He eventually graduated high school, moved to New York, and went on a few national acting tours. While he admits he didn't think he'd be back on the road again, five years ago, he got a call from producers Murray & Peter that would eventually change his mind and the course of his life.
" I was teaching acting in schools and performing locally and having a great time," Kelley says. "And then Murray & Pete came along with their how and said, ‘You’re coming back on the road.’ At first, I said, ‘I’m not getting on a bus again.’ But then I did.”
Kelley's genuine enthusiasm about performing this iconic role night after night is like a gorgeous disco ball-shaped pinata packed with glitter, the sweetest candies, lip gloss, and confetti. He is having an absolute blast touring with this production, and it shows.
Bringing Blanche To Life
When asked about the most enjoyable aspect of portraying Blanche, Kelley doesn't hesitate: "The wardrobe. I love my costumes. Everyone does an amazing impression of these characters. Blanche's accent is so saccharin and over the top, and I love that. I love pretending that I'm in a Tennessee Williams play every night."
The shoes are also an integral part of pumping the panache into Blanche! While preparing to play Blanche, Kelley confesses, “It’s all about the shoes!”
As for the shoes, he sends a big shout-out to Jessica Simpson.
"She makes a very well-made shoe in a size 12," he adds. "I wear five pairs of shoes in the show, and three pairs are by Jessica Simpson, and I just love her.”
Even during a hiatus between shoes, he mentions the shows are a magical conduit to getting back into character and doing some sole-playing!
“We just took our first break. I’ve been doing the show for over two years now," he remarks. "We were blessed enough to have five weeks off for the summer, which was amazing, and we loved it. Then we got back and had a big rehearsal, and all of us were a little rusty and had to get back into it. In the second act, Rose told me to put my shows on. And as soon as I put the shoes on it, it was all right there. My shoes are like my Sweeney Todd blade.”
Kelley's interpretation of Blanche draws inspiration from some saucy characters. Drawing inspiration from Maggie the Cat from Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and iconic Sex And The City tart Samantha Jones, Kelley brings Blanche to life night after night.
A Fresh Take On Beloved Characters
The show's plot brings our favorite Miami retirees into 2024 with hilarious new circumstances. Sophia is out on bail after a run-in with the DEA. Blanche, and Rose have become tech entrepreneurs with their senior-focused app "CreakN," and Dorothy is holding it all together while navigating a relationship with a younger man.
While the show pays homage to the original series, it's not just a trip down memory lane. Kelley and his castmates bring fresh energy and topical humor to each performance. "Our script is not a concrete document," Kelley reveals. "It's a living, breathing thing. So you're never going to see the same show twice. We improv about 20% of the show, which is a hoot for us, and the audience picks up on that immediately, and they love that."
A Full Circle Moment
For Kelley, performing at the Broward Center holds special significance. "I think it's very poetic that we're going to be there again," he shares, noting that he began working with the show's producers, Murray & Peter, at this very theater five years ago. "These characters are so beloved."
Audiences can look forward to an evening filled with laughter, nostalgia, and perhaps a few surprises. Kelley hopes that attendees will leave with "sore abs because they were laughing so hard throughout the show."
"I seriously hope people have so much fun and laugh so much they can skip their ab workout tomorrow," he quips. "We literally measure the show in laughs per minute. And we try to keep that number at around 35, which is a lot!"
Don't miss your chance to spend an evening with Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia as they navigate their golden years with wit, sass, and plenty of cheesecake. The Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue promises to be a heartwarming celebration of friendship, family, and the enduring appeal of four remarkable women who never stopped being our friends. There are also meet and greet VIP opportunities available to meet the cast and pose for photos on The Golden Girls set!
"One of the best parts of the show is doing these meet and greets and getting to talk with the fans," Kelley says. "It's always so nice to connect and share our love for these characters and this incredible show. We pose for photos, and we'll sign things. People will come up to us and share their memories of the show. It's the best feeling! With the ongoing themes of love and chosen family, I hope The Golden Girls can continue to be a conduit for positive change."
Get your tickets now for The Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue tour at the Broward Center's Amaturo Theater, running from September 3 to September 29. For more information and tour dates, visit GoldenGirlsTour.com.
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