Flossy Kelly’s Gala Concert April 15
By Skip Sheffield
Flossy Keesly has another birthday coming up, and that means another treat for all the people of Boca Raton.
On April 18, Flossy will turn 97. At 7 p.m. Friday, April 15 she will present “Flossy Keesly’s Gala Concert- Pathway to the Stars” at Mizner Park Amphitheater. Admission is free.
“Florida’s First Lady of Musical Theater,” Jan McArt will host and the show stars Flossy’s favorite singer, Canadian baritone Doug Crosley; along with two-time Academy award-nominated singer-songwriter Carol Connors; popular Branson entertainer Michelle Sevryn, the Broadway Ziegfeld Dancers and 9-year-old violin sensation, Brianna Kahane. Also featured are several young performers who rated high at the Rotary Club’s Future Stars Competition, which kicked off Festival Boca in March.
A show business veteran herself as dancer, singer and television personality, Flossy Keesly has always had a fondness for actors, singers, dancers and all kinds of show biz types. Over the years she has presented a number of concerts.
“I think it’s the best one ever,” said Flossy recently. “Carol Connors is a highly respected songwriter, and little Brianna Kahane has been big news ever since she appeared on Oprah. Then there are the talented kids the Rotary Club is bringing in. It will be something for everyone.”
Last year there was a big birthday reception for Flossy, but she prefers this one to be low-key.
“I don’t want anything special this year,” she avers. “It would be too much excitement on top of the show. There were so many people there last year.”
Flossy Keesly is a tiny woman with a big heart. She commissioned the fountain statue created by sculptor Yaacov Heller that adorns the amphitheater entrance. The gold feminine figure holding a star aloft looks suspiciously like Flossy. The statue will be there for years to come. Flossy won’t be here forever, but at this point in her life she is amazingly limber, mentally sharp and cheerful.
“I don’t think genetics is the most important thing for a long life,” she offers. “If you are blessed with a good attitude, you can be happy. I had an eye checkup the other day, and the doctor was amazed to discover I still have 20-20 vision.”
Happy Birthday Flossy, and many more.
New Film Releases
Of the three commercial film releases this week, the one that looks the most promising is “Soul Surfer.” Unfortunately I missed the advance screenings, but everything I’ve heard about this film indicates it is well-made and very inspirational.
It’s the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a girl who became a surfing champion at age 8 in Hawaii. Tragedy struck when Bethany was 13. While she was out surfing, a 14-foot Tiger Shark attacked and bit off her left arm. Bethany was rescued by fellow surfers, but nearly died from blood loss before she could be stabilized.
AnnaSophia Robb plays Bethany, Helen Hunt is her mom and Dennis Quaid is her dad. Sean McNamara directed his own script. It doesn’t dwell on the tragedy, but Bethany’s amazing rehabilitation and subsequent return to surfing as well as other sports.
At the other end of the spectrum is “Arthur,” which by all accounts is an entirely unnecessary remake of the 1981 Dudley Moore film. This time Russell Brand steps into Dudley’s dainty shoes.
James Franco goes for broad laughs in “Your Highness,” an historical; farce co-starring Natalie Portman and Danny McBride.
I did see the French art film “Heartbeats,” which is playing FAU’s Living Room Theaters.
It’s a ménage a trois story involving Francis (Xavier Dolan), a gay-curious young man; his best girlfriend Marie (Monia Chokri), and Nicholas (Niels Schneider), the golden, curly-haired Adonis who captivates them both.
“Chacun a son gout” as they say in France (To Each his Own). Writer-director Xavier Dolan has crafted a quite lovely little film about his own conflicted passions.
