The Gong Show, Senior Style

Every year, the Groton Senior Center packs the house for a talent show of sorts called The Gong Show, named after the 70’s game show.  The Gong Show was a variety act which had judges and a large gong reserved for the truly talentless.

Judges were free to clang the gong at any time, disqualifying the contestant. 

”We wanted to showcase talent and just make people laugh in the colder months,” said Carol Pratt, program supervisor of the senior center.

Combined with dinner, Pratt felt the concept worked as a one-night event.  

"One difference between our gong show and the real one is no one gets gonged, except the emcee," she said.

About 100 guests attended and 10 acts performed this year.  Most focused on Vaudevillian-type humor which solicited two standing ovations.  Emcee Leon Lussier was gonged a few times, but overall, he and Pratt kept the crowd entertained and continued dishing out jokes.

Senior Center Staff performed "Toast", an interactive rap requiring audience participation, about the love of toast.  Connie Steffes sang a parody of Memory from "Cats", dressed as an older bag lady. She won the prized first-place baked ham award. 

Memorable past acts included a belly dancer, the Pointer Sisters donning bikini tops made of orange safety cones, and a quartet of cross-dressing men.

Judy Ida and Carolee Case, dancers of opening act Swingin’ Stars, said they enjoy the event.  The group takes its show on the road to different senior centers, and won first place last year.

”They are all nice people here," said Ida. "They don’t judge you, and we just have fun.”  

Ann Apicelli’s  82-year-old mother has been dancing for 18 years, and performed with the Swinging Stars.  Apicelli makes a special trip to see her mom. “I live in Maine, and I come down to show support,” she said.

With the exception of the annual first place ham, Pratt tries to keep the awards unique, such as toilet paper and light up slippers.

She's accepting acts for next year.  

"The zanier the better," Pratt said. "We prefer comedy, not crying.  Laughter is the best medicine for body, mind and soul.”