Travel to the ’50s with ‘Taffeta Memories’

To travel to Forsyth this weekend is to travel back in time, as the Backlot Players present “Taffeta Memories” at the Rose Theater.

The show follows a female quartet in the 1950s as they perform on television in New York City, and features classic music from that time, including “Sh-Boom,” “Mr. Sandman” and many more, including some medleys.

“I was in ‘Taffeta Memories’ in Florida, and I love this show so much that I suggested we do it here,” said director Tullye B. Ralph.

“I offered to direct this time to give someone else a chance to be in it.”

The four main characters will be played by Kelli Gilstrap, Kim Ducheaneau, Judy Hunter and Diane Crosby, with Connie Copelan and Marion McDougall serving as understudies.

The play features little dialogue, with the girls talking about sponsors and their interests, such as hair and make-up, riding in convertibles and other topics typical of girls in the 1950s, Alan Ralph said.

They wear “swanky black dresses” in the first act, and then dress more in the style of the era in the second act.

“There’s a certain amount of silliness,” said Alan Ralph, who plays upright bass in the Backlot Band, in which Tullye Ralph also plays keyboards.

The band will be onstage, in the background, performing as part of the show, which Tullye Ralph said is very family oriented and appropriate for all ages.

The music features a lot of close harmonies and four-part harmonies, she said.

“It’s not really easy music, but it’s been fun to watch the girls work on it and we’ve added some really cute choreography,” Tullye Ralph said. “What was really funny was that a couple of the girls weren’t teenagers when the music was popular, and they may have heard the songs before but didn’t really know it.”

Tullye Ralph said that wasn’t the case for her, however.

“This goes back to my teenage years; it brings back a lot of old memories,” she said.

“Taffeta Memories”

When: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and Thursday-Nov. 19; 2 p.m. Sunday and Nov. 20

Where: The Rose Theater, 23 West Johnston St., Forsyth

Cost: $15 adults, $12 students

Phone: (478) 994-0443