New Wrinkles began in 1988 as a senior variety show under the direction of Tom Wright. The Sears Roebuck Company, believing in the value of supporting senior citizens in the local community, provided grants to organizations across the country to begin similar programs. Over thirty years later, New Wrinkles is the only remaining group of its kind in the United States.

Since 1988, our production in Fresno has grown from a variety show of performing seniors to a large scale production that local critic Donald Munro considered, “one of the year’s top 20 arts and cultural offerings.” Not only does this group come together every year to put on a production that has built a large following within the city of Fresno, but the program has expanded to include a year-long series of classes and social activities that supports the members of our all-senior cast.

Though we receive some funding through Fresno City College, we rely heavily on donations and the generosity of our local community and our own cast members themselves, who invest of their own time and money to participate in the show. The members of our cast are not compensated monetarily for the run of our show each year.

To find out more about how you can help support the work that New Wrinkles is doing, email donors@newwrinklesfresno.com.