For Immediate Release:
April 4, 2025
Primary Media Contact:
Sally Voth
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
Phone: 540-868-7134
Join us for the 45th annual family-friendly Spring Follies April 26 and 27 at Laurel Ridge’s Middletown Campus. Show times are 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 27. Pre-show activities, which will include free ice cream, face painting and food for sale, start 90 minutes before each performance.
This year’s theme is Wild Kingdom. Strasburg native and lifelong Follies performer, Russell Rinker, who is a Broadway performer and a one-time member of Blue Man Group, returns as director with assistance from several other Follies’ regulars – John Owens, Sarah Pangle, Caraline Edwards-McDougale, and Dr. Terry and Cindi Butterfield.
“My first Follies I remember, I think was in 2006, when I was about 6-years-old,” said Edwards-McDougale, a preschool teacher who is taking the lead on directing the children’s performances. “My family started participating in the 80s.”
After a brief hiatus, Edwards-McDougale, who said she and many of her family members have attended Laurel Ridge, has performed in every show since 2015.
“It really is just one big family,” she said of the community that has been formed among Follies performers. “No matter what craziness I have going on in my life, I always look forward to when the practice starts. It’s a place where you can be accepted and it’s a place where they want you to be happy and they look out for you. I feel like this is a really, really special thing that has been going on for so long.”
Owens, who is the library archivist at Laurel Ridge, is directing the show’s skits this year. He said some sketches have been adapted from a variety of sources, such as “Sanford and Son” and “Saturday Night Live,” and others are originals he has written.
The Butterfields, who own Butterfield Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Strasburg, are helping to prepare the cast of performers for their musical numbers. There are about 30-40 cast members, according to Dr. Butterfield.
“We’re spending a lot of time on the opening number, which this year is “Crocodile Rock,” and the closing number is “The Circle of Life,” he said.
This year, a set list will be played at the pre-show, said Dr. Butterfield, whose family is playing with him.
“It’s a family-friendly show,” he said. “The jokes hit at every level.”
Tickets are $5, with children 5 and under admitted for free. All proceeds will benefit the Andrea Ludwick Performing Arts Fund. For more information, email [email protected], or call 540-868-4078.
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Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines, in addition to providing access to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs offered on site by a four-year institution. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.
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