Golden Girls Are Still Sassy 

Before the wigs, drag, and viral TikToks, The Golden Girls was a beloved TV sitcom that aired from 1985 to 1992. The show followed four older women—Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia—sharing a home in sunny Miami. Played by comedy legends Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty, the characters became iconic for their sharp wit, deep friendship, and bold takes on topics like aging, dating, feminism, and social justice.

The show earned critical acclaim, multiple Emmys, and a massive cross-generational fan base that continues to grow thanks to syndication and streaming. Its timeless humour and heartfelt storytelling especially resonate with LGBTQ+ audiences, who celebrate it as a tale of chosen family, fierce independence, and flawless one-liners.

Now, those four unforgettable women are back—sort of.

Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue hits the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on July 30 with an all-new drag parody that imagines what the girls would be up to if they were still raising hell today. Written by Robert Leleux and directed by Eric Swanson, the show is both a loving tribute and a riotous reinvention. With sky-high heels, outrageous antics, and just the right amount of scandal, this stage show turns the sass up to eleven.

For Vince Kelley, who stars as the sultry Blanche Devereaux, the role has been a dream come true. “I’ve been working with the producers on a different production before the pandemic,” Kelley explains. “Then, during lockdown, they started developing Golden Girls, so I was very lucky to be invited to be a part of the show from the very beginning.”

And for Kelley, slipping into Blanche’s world starts from the ground up. “I have always loved Blanche,” he says. “And it’s very funny that you mention the heels because Blanche’s footwear is really an important step in how I get into character. I love her voice. It doesn’t really exist in America. In interviews, Rue McClanahan said the accent was an amalgamation of a few different relatives, so I try really hard to honour her and her family with my performance.”

With such a loyal fan base behind the original series, Kelley says the audience reaction has been nothing short of magical. “They love it,” he says. “Any skepticism disappears when the curtain goes up, and they see our recreation of the set with all of its Easter eggs and details. And then, when each of us says our first line, they just gasp. It’s magical to hear.”

That kind of gasp-worthy recognition is one thing, but each city brings its own flavour to the experience, especially when it comes to regional humour. “Yes!” Kelley laughs, when asked if reactions vary. “A major part of our show is that Sophia has been busted for selling drugs, and in the States, the audiences are scandalized. But we’ve learned that in Canada, where y’all are soooo chill and relaxed about recreational drug use, they just don’t understand what Sophia did wrong. It’s actually really funny for us, and has led to some great ad libs.”

For those wondering what to expect from this version, Kelley describes it as “an all-new story.” Set in the present day, Sophia is out on bail after being busted by the DEA for running a drug ring out of Shady Pines. Blanche and Rose are running “CreakN,” a wildly successful senior-focused dating app. And Dorothy? She’s doing her best to hold everything together, with help (or not) from her much younger, sex-obsessed love interest. “So it’s like a lost episode. But the antics are turned up to 11,” Kelley adds.

Behind the scenes, the energy is just as entertaining. “Definitely making our TikToks,” Kelley says when asked about laugh-out-loud moments on tour. “We really put a lot of effort into our social media, so when we’re sitting around brainstorming ideas we just crack up with how ridiculous we can get.”

Of course, there’s also a rich and lasting connection between The Golden Girls and drag culture—one that the show embraces wholeheartedly. “We love our divas, and they certainly fit the bill,” Kelley says. “And not for nothing, the show—as well as the actresses—always treated the gay community with love and respect. On the show and off.”

As for why The Golden Girls remains so iconic all these years later, Kelley doesn’t hesitate. “When something is done right the first time, it’s going to hold up,” he says. “The casting was amazing, the writing was great, the chemistry of the women was brilliant. Funny is timeless if done right.”

And when asked what’s next for the show and the cast? “We’re just going to keep going until the wheels fall off,” Kelley laughs. “And Canada has opened up a whole new world for us, and we LOVE the people. Every stereotype is true. Y’all are so nice.”

Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue plays for one night only—Wednesday, July 30 at 7:30 PM at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. With outrageous comedy, sharp one-liners, and just enough scandal to keep things interesting, this is one theatrical reunion you won’t want to miss.