In 1987, a small group of theater enthusiasts, headed by Ray Furlotte, started a musical review based on Rossland history.  The show was embellished with local lore, old time tunes and real Can-Can dancers from the Boomtown Garter Girls.  Two decades later, the Rossland Gold Fever Follies, headed by local resident and current Follies President Ray Furlotte, are still going strong with original stories from Rossland’s rich gold mining history.  While artistic license is often used, many of the characters are based on real people from Rossland’s past.  Such characters have included Judge Begbie, Father Pat, The Hunter Brothers, Olas Jeldness, Big John Kirkup and a whole host of others.

    The Rossland Gold Fever Follies continues to run with the efforts of a volunteer executive, some of whom have been around from the start.  Today’s executive includes Ray Furlotte, Lisa Henderson, Kathy Wallace, Colleen Bay, Lyndsay Fraser, Shirley McLim, Adam Sander and Jason Whitley.

    While the show itself only runs for two months, it takes all year to plan and organize.  This group is responsible for producing a script, running auditions and casting, maintaining props and costumes, applying for grants and a whole host of other jobs.  In fact, the executive weren’t aware of just how much work it really was until the passing of Maurice Samuelson, the Father of the Follies, last year.  For nearly 20 years, Maurice volunteered his time to run the Front of House, selling tickets and concessions, counselor and confidant to the cast.  He was a constant source of laughter during those slow shows.  He is sorely missed (and always will be...). 

    For more info, please email one of the executives on the Contact Us page.