The iconic “Golden Girls” first graced TV screens way back in 1985. From day one, we fell in love with their wit, sass, friendship and colorful Miami lifestyle. Though it signed off the air in 1992, the award-winning ensemble lives on in merchandise, memes, reruns and the upcoming “That Golden Girls Show! A Puppet Parody” at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts.
Ranked as one of TV Guide’s 60 Best Series of All Time, Blanche Devereaux, Rose Nylund, Dorothy Zbornak and Sophia Petrillo welcomed us into their homes and, somewhat chaotic, lives. On Friday, March 25, step back in time with an immersive puppetry parody of south Florida’s fab foursome. “That Golden Girls Show” was an Off-Broadway hit when it debuted in 2016 and is currently on a two-year national tour, their third and final road trip.
Chris Goodwin of Rockefeller Productions explains that the show brings in five actors and two crew members to bring the girls to life…so to speak. “Everything is inspired by the show, but they are original scenes,” he shares. “The show runs about 80 minutes and consists of three episodes, as if you are watching the show!”
Goodwin and the Rockefeller team hope audiences: “Get set for an evening of cheesecake, laughter, jazzercise, shoulder pads, sex and the elegant art of the quick-witted put down. From Sophia’s get-rich-quick schemes to Rose’s tales from St. Olaf, Blanche’s insatiable hunt for men and the Fountain of Youth and Dorothy’s daily struggle to make sense of her life and keep her roommates in check. Devoted fans will fondly remember our four girls from Miami, and for the first-timers, this will be a joyful introduction to the brilliance of that television series.”
The 2021-2022 farewell tour isn’t the quartet’s swansong, however. Goodwin is excited that, “the show is returning Off-Broadway in April for its Final Farewell, and then we’ll be saying goodbye to these beloved characters.” Come experience the bittersweet laughs while you can.
NY Theatre Guide calls the performance a: “splendidly fun tribute! Truly excels at bringing a pop culture classic into the 21st century. It feels just as fresh, modern and daring as it does familiar.”
Entertainment Weekly found it “hilarious!” while Stage Buddy admits that “audiences are entertained and fascinated and may even become enlightened to the problem-solving abilities of cheesecake.”
Want to wet your whistle before the big night? Grab some dessert and head over to Broadway on Demand where you can watch all 17 original episodes of the show’s web series. These delightful vignettes include Dorothy trying to pay the water bill, the foursome’s wild game night competitions, a séance to speak with Rose’s dead husband and the St. Olaf cure for hangovers.
You can find video clips, updates and behind the scenes photos on the show’s Facebook and Instagram pages. There are also downloadable gifs to send to friends before or after—not during, please!—the performance.
Remember that all events at the Washington Center require audience members to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test that’s less than 72 hours old. Guests 18+ also need to bring photo ID as well. Masks must be worn for the duration of your visit.
The Center box office is open every Tuesday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and two hours before events. Email boxoffice@washingtoncenter.org or call 360.753.8586 with questions or to purchase tickets. Tickets can also be chosen by availability and price via their interactive online seating chart.
The “Golden Girls” was a television breakthrough for many reasons. Created by a woman and starring an all-female ensemble, over the course of their 180 episodes it received 68 Emmy nominations and won 11 Emmy Awards and four Golden Globes. It’s also one of only a handful of shows where each of the principal actors won an Emmy for their role. The series finale, ranked one of the most watched finales on TV, was seen by more than 27 million viewers.
You may not have watched the show’s televised finale in May of 1992. Even if you did, don’t miss out on the touring finale of “That Golden Girls Show! A Puppet Parody” when it graces downtown Olympia for the last time. We can all use a little laughter, friendship, wisdom and cheesecake for the soul and thanks to the magic of puppetry, it’s just around the corner.
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