A Brief History

The Fun and Fancy Theatre Group was organized on August 7, 1968, with 75 charter members.

At first, the Group offered skits, revues and other shows written and directed by members. as well as one-act plays. Fun and Fancy's first three-ad play, the Torch Bearers by George Kelly, was presented in the fall of 1970.

In 1973, Fun and Fancy hired its first paid director, from outside Leisure World, and has continued this practice for its two major semi-annual productions.

As the organization and community grew, so did the scope of Fun and Fancy activities. In the spring of 1977, the Group successfully undertook its most challenging project up to that time, Noel Coward's play, Waiting In the Wings; and that fall, it staged the last "home grown" semi-annual show, a musical entitled Love and Laughter.

Starting in 1978, musicals presented by Fun and Fancy have all bad Broadway runs, and the same can be said about most of the straight plays. Musicals have been presented in the fall and straight plays in the spring; except in the 1984-1985 season. when the process was reversed. A listing of semi-annual shows appears below.

In November 1981, the Fun & Fancy Theatre Group was recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt charitable and educational organization to which tax-deductible contributions may be made.

Role in the Community

Fun & Fancy's main objectives are to provide education and training in the various aspects of theatrical production, and entertainment for the residents of Leisure World, as well as for other senior citizens groups in the area. Education and training are provided through participation by members in Fun & Fancy meeting programs and other productions, and through courses and workshops, open to members and non-members alike, in acting, voice, microphone techniques, dancing, theatrical history, and other aspects of show production.

Besides its two major semi-annual productions, Fun & Fancy offers entertainment through one or two Community Theaters, sponsored by the E &R Department, each year. These are generally in the form of one-hour revues, one-act plays, or combinations thereof. Fun &Fancy receives no income from these productions, the net proceeds going to the community via the E&R Department.

Fun & Fancy also entertains, at no charge, at functions sponsored by Leisure World organizations and at nursing homes and other senior facilities outside Leisure World.

The net income from the major semi-annual shows (the only productions for which it receives admission fees), donations it receives, and member's dues are used to finance Fun & Fancy's activities. The Group uses funds in excess of operating expenses for the benefit of community residents, and to otherwise further education in the performing arts. Such funds have been expended for equipment used in the clubhouses. and for donation to appropriate community causes. In addition, Fun &. Fancy has an ongoing scholarship program to aid deserving students in the performing arts curricula at Montgomery College, and provides four to six such scholarships per year.

Membership and Organization

Membership in Fun & Fancy is open to all Leisure World residents. The only requirements are an interest in theater (either as participant, audience, or both) and willingness to pay the S8.00 annual dues. All who join are encouraged, but NOT REQUIRED, to audition for shows, or to offer their services and talents for backstage or other support jobs. In recent years, membership in Fun & Fancy has exceeded 300 each season.

The organization is governed by an annually elected Board of Directors, composed of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, a Director for Technical Services, and five other Directors, including the immediate Past President (ex officio). Individual Board members generally supervise specific functions, or assigned standing committees appointed by, or with the approval of, the President. The operating year (season) runs from July 1 through the following June 30.

General membership meetings are held monthly, except July and August, usually on the first Wednesday evening. At each meeting, after the business segment, an entertainment or instructional program is offered, and members thereby have the opportunity to practice theatrical skills. A social period follows the program.

Fun & Fancy welcomes new members and suggests that those interested attend the next membership meeting, at which they may join at the door. Questions about joining or any other aspect of Fun & Fancy may be directed to any of the officers or other Board members whose names and phone numbers appear on the home page.