By: RUSS BROWN • Photos Provided By Kevin Klotz
Shortly before she was to appear for the first time in a Young Hearts Theater production, Sandy Hendricks suffered a broken humerus bone, but in the grand tradition of “the show must go one,” she took the stage and performed with her arm in a sling.
That type of dedication is typical of the senior citizens who write, direct, perform and take care of a myriad of other responsibilities for the 50-year-old organization in Louisville.
Consider 92-year-old Willa Fougnie, who is in her 21st year with Young Hearts and is still going strong, serving as the music director, along with writing, directing, acting and dancing in the productions. More about the energetic former teacher who Henderson says “flies around and never sits still” later, but first a history lesson.
Young Hearts Theatre is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that never charges for any of its shows although tax deductible donations are always welcomed to help defray production costs, insurance, and other expenses. Young Hearts was founded in 1979 by Eloise Terry, a retired internationally known professional ballroom dancer and a veteran of WHAS TV and radio. She collaborated with George Partridge, who had produced and directed shows at Bowman Field during World War II that featured both servicemen and civilians. Terry died in 2019 at age 103.
According to a description on its Facebook page, Young Hearts is designed to provide retired professional and non-professional performers the opportunity to contribute to the community and satisfy their desire to remain active in the performing arts. To join you must be age 60 or over and audition at the published audition dates prior to rehearsals for the show. Young Hearts produces two major original shows each year in the spring and fall, as well as performing mini shows” for various clubs, organizations, assisted living and nursing facilities between productions. It is believed to be the only theater of its kind in the area.
This summer’s production was “The Church at Hidden Creek,” written and directed by Carol Fessler, with music and choreography by Fougnie.
Fougnier has written and will direct the first show of 2025, “Of Trains and Things, A Visit to the Past,” which she describes as “jokes and music to make people laugh and have a good time.” It will feature cloggers, tap dancers and a politician named Sen. Phil-A-Buster. Fougnie’s shows are heavy on humor -- she also wrote “The Frisky Fifties.”
Fougnie, a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Music, recently was honored by the UofL Trager Institute of Aging with a “Gold Standard of Optimal Aging Award” given to those 85 and older who lead engaged and flourishing lives and inspire those around them with their zest for life. She joined Young Hearts after retiring from Whitfield Academy, and her husband, Emil, also now 92, handled spotlight duties.
Fougnie said one of the main things that initially appealed to her was the fact that the plays are free since many seniors couldn’t afford the rising costs of music theater, and there are numerous advantages healthwise.
“It’s excellent for cognitive health due to memorizing scripts and it’s excellent for physical health,” she said. “It’s excellent exercise for seniors, with the constant walking around, dancing and other activities requiring correct breathing and building lung strength.”
Fougnie and others also point to the benefits for mental health as a byproduct of the camaraderie, companionship and support that provide valuable components to the fun of performing. Hendricks, who has sung in a rock-n-roll band and performed at country jamborees in the area, treasures memories of performing with her mother at Young Hearts.
“I feel like since my mom has passed, she’s left me with this whole new family that’s always looking out for each other,” Hendricks said. “If someone is missing from rehearsal, we immediately call to make sure everything is okay. That’s extremely important at our age. It’s been a blessing. It means a whole lot to me.”
“We uplift each other,” Fougnie said. “Everyone is very knowledgeable of what’s going on in each other’s personal lives. We look after each other.”
Barbara Sutherland, 83, who has been associated with the group for four years also likes the social aspect of Young Hearts, along with staying active. “I’m one of those people who don’t like to be sitting at home,” she said. “I like to keep moving.”
Fessler has been involved in theater in the area most of her life and that’s where she met her husband, Ben, who was also an actor. She has performed in 33 Young Hearts shows and directed 10 of them, including “Cabaret Trifecta,” “The Travel Bug,” and “Westward Ho,” all original. Fessler and Fougnie co-wrote a show in Terry’s honor called “A Toast to Eloise,” in 2019, the year she died.
“Young Hearts welcomes everyone with open arms no matter your theater experience,” Fessler said. “It encourages people to ‘spread their wings’ and try something new and helps everyone be the best they can be no matter how new to the stage they may be. We also found many new friends and a group of people that truly enjoy working together.
A long-time clogger, Fessler introduced clogging in the song, “If You’ve Got the Money Honey,” and it proved to be a success with both cast and the audience, so every show since has included clogging.”
“One of the most fun things is to perform and find your audience singing along, or having someone in the audience greet you after a show and say, ‘I didn’t want to come here, but I’m so glad I did. I feel so much better.’ That makes all the hours spent in rehearsal worth it.”
The plays are written and directed by members and submitted to a 12-member board for approval. They are then reviewed by the script committee. Each production usually has 30-35 performers and 10-12 other volunteers. The family-friendly shows run the gamut from Vaudeville-type variety shows to cabaret to other various musical styles.
For the past 21 years, the performances have taken place at Ursuline Arts Center, 3113 Lexington Rd., but Henderson said the group is searching for a new venue because Ursuline will no longer be available. It’s not going to be easy to find another suitable location, she noted, because among the requirements are seating for 350-400, handicap accessible and free parking.
Hendricks said singers, dancers, actors and backstage helpers and front of help support are always needed. Anyone interested can check out Young Hearts Theater Facebook page or email Hendricks at Hendricks1208@twc.com.
Young Hearts also sponsors the Eloise Terry Scholarship based on financial-need diversity for a child who wants to attend Sacred Heart School for the Arts classes.