Norma Chew, a member of the South Florida Writers Association, is a retired nurse who writes for Helium.com and Associated Content.

In addition to writing, Ms. Chew is also a performer, who recently danced in the annual Gold-Diggers “Vegas Baby,” show at the Gusman Theater the weekend of March 20-22, which raises money for the Leukemia Society. The GOLD-DIGGERS, Inc. was established October 16, 1976 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for the purpose of writing, producing and performing in a theatrical production each year to support charity.

 

“In ‘White Diamonds,’ I was the one strutting in yellow and black,” said Ms. Chew. “I was also in the ‘96,000′ number.”

Norma’s experience in the Gold-Diggers show gave her more confidence as a performer, and as a result, she contacted an agent to be an extra on the show Burn Notice.

“I was in a police station scene as a secretary and pointed to a ‘No Smoking’ sign to a guy that was breaking the rules,” she said.

Some performers have been involved in The Gold-Diggers for 30 years, and remind me of my mother, whose dream was to be a rockette. I tear up when the older women strut across the stage in their peacock feathers asserting they are still sexy, even if Miami is the type of place that worships youth.

The show I attended on March 22 was well produced with decent choreography, good costumes, simple set…but the lip syncing is quite disappointing…cheesy…So much effort put into the production and the whole point of being a musical is…lost. But maybe I am biased. Yes, of course I am. I never promised to represent the opinions of everyone on this blog! But if you’re more into live music, check out Churchills. I went there during Winter Music Conference to watch The Black Lips..the baddest boy band since the Rolling Stones. But maybe this is a totally different demographic…and purpose. Yes, need to keep my markets straight!

Back to the Gold-Diggers, I do love the Baltimore Girl and the big blonde beauty who wants a slice of honky cheese! Fantastic as she shakes her body in a blue shimmery evening gown.

But enough perspective from my own BRAIN…Norma had a few things she wanted to add:

How long do the performers rehearse before a show?
8 weeks. We start in late January.

How much does a production cost?
We have to pay the Gusman a lot of money and the price has increased because they changed management last year. We’re thinking we may not be able to do it again! We need to apply for a grant so that we can stay there, it’s such a beautiful theater. But they want $6,000, and we can’t have that much money tied up for a year. And then the sets and costumes, it all adds up. But the group has done this a long time, and it’s costly, but we have a warehouse of costumes and I took some things out of my closet.

How do you decide on the theme of the show?
If you want to be a producer you have to present to the board. This year’s producers were Holly Beth Billington, Justine Chichester and Natalie Tappert.

How much money did you raise from the Vegas Baby show?
We don’t know yet, but we did raise more than last year, is what I heard backstage.

Why do the performers lip sync? I was expecting live singing, so I was surprised.
This organization started 32 years ago and this show is for charity and there are a few professionals – Judy Miller was on Broadway for many years as a professional dancer. We have always lip synced every year.

Who is the choreographer? I thought the dancing was great.
Ron Headrick works with the New World School of the Arts and Linda Dykes, they’ve been doing every show for 30 years.

What is it like for the older women to dress up in these elaborate, and sometimes, revealing costumes? It looked like they were very empowered, but I didn’t want to assume…
A lot of people have been there since the beginning and they absolutely love it. I was there strutting in my outfit – I’m small (laughs!). Some are heavier and they totally enjoy it. The couple that did the love number, they are older, and they looked wonderful! It’s not so much empowering but fun and an opportunity to give back to charity and perform at the Gusman.

How do you feel this show measured up to others in the past?
I’ve been involved three years and every year everyone says this one was the best because all of them have different themes, different pace – the only thing that wasn’t as great were the costumes – we didn’t have as much of a budget.

The South Florida Writers Association is now in partnership with Books & Books where members who have written a book can read during the group’s regularly scheduled meetings. Stay tuned… the group will be celebrating Father’s Day on a pontoon boat!