Talk about this year's theme for the show.

This year's theme, Love and Marriage; For Better or For Worse, was suggested by New Wrinkles band member, Elena Tsuchiya. We are taking suggestions for next year's show right now.

How many married couples are involved in this year's show?

This year we have ten married couples.

I understand that as of late last week, director Fred Bologna had to cut some numbers from the show because it was too long. How did that go over?

You know, it went over as well as could be expected. There was some disappointment, for sure, but the company members really do understand that the length of the show is critical to its success.

"New Wrinkles" has been around for two decades now. How many original members are left? Has a new generation taken over?

Bob Clark, Cynthia Dallas, Lucy Del Real and Geno Ventura were members of the original cast. Six more cast members were in last years show, but, having achieved their goal of making it to the 20th anniversary, are not back this year. They are Leah Bader, Helen Condit, Betty High, Kay Penner, John Schaeffer and Loretta Wilsey. Two of the present cast joined the cast in 1990 and are in their 20th season, Mary Jane Cavanaugh-Fisch and Maggie Sanders. We have many new members and yes, the face of New Wrinkles has changed since its inception.

What's your favorite memory from the show over the years?

Truly, my most favorite moments are the times I get goose bumps when the large chorus is singing. The singers have grown so much over the last six years - I am so proud to be part of the musical product of New Wrinkles and to know the participants as friends and performers. I could also add that for me personally, New Wrinkles has expanded my performance experience to include dancing. I have begun tapping and find the experience most exhilarating. So the most memorable new experience for me personally was last year when I tapped on stage for the first time!

What is it like for you when you're up there on stage performing a blockbuster number?

It is such a thrill and I have the time of my life performing! I figure my success as a performer comes from my preparation for the song or dance and I am so excited to get the audience wound up and enthusiastic. We have many performers who take this very seriously and are very well prepared for their acts.

Within any large cast, there are bound to be some jealousies and rivalries, but also a lot of camaraderie. How do the cast members of "New Wrinkles" relate to each other?

I would say that most of the time there is great support and understanding between cast members. Especially with the original and early cast members, New Wrinkles has become their social network, their family. The show has kept them young and active and has stimulated their intellectual activity. That said, there are also moments when there is tension and stress and people unravel a little and think they are helping with a somewhat negative comment. I feel there is no room for negativity. Positive reinforcement is the only way to go and I try to model and encourage that.

For people who have seen in the show in the past, what will be the freshest thing about this year's show?

Lots of dance, even a flamenco dancer and a true Hawaiian dancer - both very cool! And the one liners are back in full force. There are lots of funny things to be said about the institution of marriage! The show was created to present the many real life situations which are encountered from beginning to end.

Doing all those shows back to back takes a lot of stamina. How do you make sure the cast holds up during a run?

Oh gosh, I am so impressed that the cast keeps their nose to the grindstone for nights in a row and then opens the show with great energy. I try to be calm and patient and I think that attitude assists the performers to remain the same. We try to have food available and a brief rest time for performers on the days that we have both a matinee and an evening show.

Here at The Bee received a letter to the editor from Helen Condit, an original member, who this year will be sitting in the audience for the first time. Do you think it will be a little hard for her?

I know Helen well; in fact she cares for our dog, Wilbur, when we are out of town. She is a very fine dancer and a talented lady, and I miss her very much. I miss the cast members who are no longer performing with us and imagine that the audience also misses them. I have had so many wonderful experiences with many who I know I will remember the rest of my life. I expect Helen will be proud of this years show, but a bit misty eyed.

How do you think "New Wrinkles" has changed people's lives -- both performers and audience members?

In my mind, age is just a number and New Wrinkles shouts to the world that we, the seniors, are valuable, contributing citizens who still love to sing, dance, and strut our stuff. This attitude is picked up by our audiences and they go away from the show with a bit more thoughtfulness about their own lives and futures. There is no reason that they couldn't be doing something similar. It might not be in the area of the arts - it might be a sport or an evening education class or a book club or a water painting class - but learning and growth is still happening. We never stop learning and contributing. To me, this is the beauty of the arts. It is a lifelong passion and having this passion has certainly changed my life and the New Wrinkles family because we have a direction and a reason to get up and celebrate every day.

Anything else about this year's show you'd like to add?

The show is a community effort. Each person involved has sacrificed something to participate. Choices have to be made and sometimes a family gathering must be missed, a party cannot be attended, a house doesn't get cleaned, the car doesn't get washed. The show takes hours to produce and coordinate. Sometimes the long hours take their toll, but no one in the audience will see anything but a very professional cast doing a very amazing thing - we come together in love and harmony to show that age doesn't matter.