"Corruption!" The Ocean State Follies Help Woonsocket Taxpayers Laugh It Off

The Woonsocket Taxpayer Coalition's first annual Christmas Party packed the rear banquet room at the last night for a full chicken dinner and an uproarious holiday performance by Charlie Hall and the Ocean State Follies.

The Follies delivered their classic brand of political skewering and cabaret comedy to the festive group of city residents and other Ocean Staters that traveled for a laugh.  2011 will be the group's 20th year of roasting the state and if last night's performance was any indication, they've only ripened with age.  

To the tune of "Those Were the Days," the cast sang about Christmas past and lamented the loss of Christmas decorations on government property singing, "no way today the ACLU bellows, only pink flamingos are allowed."  Former Rhode Island governor Bruce Sundlun and philanthropist Alan Feinstein took their turns as political targets but the real victim of the evening was Governor-elect Lincoln Chaffee in the group's performance of "How the Linc Stole Christmas." 

"He's raising the age of retirement, to death," cast member Michael Johnson said. The female performers went to the stage in highway worker uniforms to declare their support for the governor.  "Why do we love you, because we work for the union," they sang.  

But the cast is more than just funny. These talented performers showed the crowd impressive harmonies in their version of "Tradition" from Fiddler on the Roof.  "Corruption" they bellowed in unison, with individual solos documenting everything from drug-dealing cops to political bribery.

While the follies always deliver a full on roast of state politics, they may be at their best when they direct their signature wit at Rhode Island's unique culture, providing audiences with a refreshing opportunity to laugh at themselves.  In one skit, a driver's GPS switches to Rhode Island mode. "Go left up thea, where the old Ann and Hope used to be," a voice shouts with a thick accent. 

The 180 guests to the event included State Representative-elect Robert Phillips and one family of 18 celebrating "nana's" 81st birthday.

"I think this was an excellent event, very well attended," said Jim Cournoyer, Vice President of the Woonsocket Taxpayer Coalition.  "We almost ran out of food, which I think is a good problem.  This was a great fundraiser for the group." 

The WTC is a local organization of city residents with more than 400 members, focused, according to their mission statement, on ensuring "limited and moderate property tax increases; open, efficient, transparent and responsive City government; access to decision-makers, and the deliberative process; superior public services; and responsible stewardship of the City and its resources."