Talent show to feature local senior performers

City of Las Vegas Senior Idol Talent Show coordinator Henry Romero said the talent pool for the ninth annual showcase of entertainers 50 or older is one of the strongest he's seen.

"Being in Las Vegas, we have a lot of talented seniors, not just in Las Vegas but in Henderson, Aliante and all parts of the valley," he said. "Some of the ladies who do tap and jazz are well into their 80s, but they're just as nimble as younger women in their 40s. There is so much talent that we're having to turn people away who are really good."

The annual Senior Idol showcase slated for 3 p.m. June 14 at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., is set to feature 26 acts.

Planning for the two-hour show began a year in advance. Romero said 64 acts auditioned in March. Those who made the cut ranged from singers to dancers and comedians.

Marilyn Faye O'Leary-Baker, 63, plans to sing "The Impossible Dream" from the musical "Man of La Mancha." O'Leary-Baker said performing in the showcase among other talented seniors is inspiring.

"I think it gives the seniors an opportunity to get out and encourage those who are worried about being at the end," she said. "It's an opportunity for us to share our gifts and a great opportunity for both the performer and the listener."

O'Leary-Baker's background is in song and dance, ranging from performing as one of Dean Martin's original Golddiggers in 1968 to being crowned Ms. Senior Nevada in 2010. She hopes Senior Idol will provide chances for future performances and friendships.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing all of the talent out there and getting to know the people with Senior Idol," she said. "It would be wonderful to have talent agents who are seeking seniors and finding out through Senior Idol what other opportunities are available."

Romero said that in an attempt to include as many seniors in the show as possible, the judges chose three to four female and male solo performers, with the rest of the acts featuring multiple participants. With increased interest in seniors performing, he is considering hosting two showcases.

"We realized if we extended Senior Idol to 30 acts, the show would run about half an hour over (the time limit)," he said. "We decided we needed to stick to that two-hour format, and we've considered breaking it up in two different shows, one for the holiday season and one for the summer. It's just a matter of getting the theater and planning ahead."

Irv Atkins, 78, plans to perform a comedy routine alongside his wife, Marilyn, and participate as one of the masters of ceremonies. Atkins said the event is a testament to the abundance of talent among seniors.

"It shows that it's not how old you are but how you are old," he said. "If you have the mental and physical capabilities (to perform), go for it. It's exciting to be part of a talented group of people who will strut their stuff and can still wow an audience."

Having so much talent, Romero said, is among the top reasons why the event is presented as a showcase rather than a competition.

"How do you choose a winner from 24 acts who are all capable of winning?" he said. "I get so many comments about how seniors appreciate the platform for theater or dance or singing. The more active they are, the more they're able to fight off those ailments associated with seniors. Staying active keeps them in a healthier mode, and these seniors have a lot of youth in them."

Tickets to the Senior Idol Talent Show are $5. Space is limited, so organizers recommend purchasing tickets in advance. For more information on the showcase, call 229-6454 or visit lasvegasnevada.gov.

Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Lisa Carter at lcarter@viewnews.com or 383-4686.