Laughs continue with ‘Golden Girls’ in Cedar Rapids

Vince Kelley and “The Golden Girls” were born in 1985. Kelley had no idea the show would mean so much to him when he watched the sitcom with his grandmother as a kindergartner.

“I used to watch my grandmother’s favorite show and I called it ‘The Old Lady’s Show,’ Kelley said while calling from Chicago. ”She would be cracking up watching ‘The Golden Girls,’ and I would love it even though I didn’t understand the jokes.

“It was great spending a lot of time with my grandmother, like a lot of gay men did when they were kids. I loved spending time with her and learning about ‘The Golden Girls.’ I watched it religiously when I was older and enjoyed it immensely.”

A generation later Kelley is portraying the sassy Southern belle Blanche in “The Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue,” slated for Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids.

“The Laughs Continue” is driven by a contemporary script, which changes with each show.

“We look at the news and add bits to the show,” Kelley said. “It’s so much fun since first off, we pay tribute to the Golden Girls. Unfortunately, none of the cast are still with us. I think they would like the updated show we present.”

For instance, the 2024 Golden Girls joke about phone apps and the Internet: “But we’re dressed in ’80s finery, just like the Golden Girls from back in the day,” Kelley said.

“It’s a nice mix of the present and the past. This is a show for those who are die-hards and for those who have never seen an episode of the show. The Golden Girls were ahead of their time. You go back and watch those shows and they're still hilarious. I think our show is pretty funny, too.”

Updating a classic is a terrific idea. Comic Josh Gondelman did the same with “Seinfeld.” Gondelman wrote contemporary “Seinfeld” on Twitter in 2016 and many of the concepts he came up are hilarious. So why shouldn’t “The Golden Girls” receive a similar treatment?

“If the fans enjoy it, well, why not do this,” Kelley said. “It’s been so gratifying having fans come up to me in full ‘Golden Girls’ regalia after our shows, telling me how much they love our show.”

Kelley’s grandmother enjoyed his work as Blanche. Unfortunately, Kelley’s grandmother died in December.

“Nana was very proud of me,” Kelley said. “It was very hard on me going through everything with her no longer being here. I’m the oldest grandson and she meant so much to me. She would say that my singing voice is from her. What touched me so much is that when I was cleaning out her house, I found the ugliest purse in the world, which was filled with programs of all the shows I’ve ever done.”

Kelley wears his grandmother’s necklace, a gold dove, at each performance.

“It’s just something I have to do,” he said.

Kelley also is compelled to keep the spirit of “The Golden Girls” alive.

“I have to, since the show was so great and all four of those actresses, (Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty) all supported LGBTQ.”

The charismatic actor hopes there will be a new script for another run of “The Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue.”

“That would be great,” he said. “My fingers are crossed. I would love to do a Golden Girls holiday show. I would love to go out there in an ugly sweater and have the type of fun that only we can have with this show.”