More than 25 years ago, what started as a simple neighborly invitation evolved into something much more meaningful—a community band dedicated to bringing the joy of live music to independent, assisted living and memory care facilities across the Valley.
Guyz 'N Dollz, founded by Barbara Kirschner, has become a beloved fixture, known for its lively, Broadway-inspired performances that draw smiles and nostalgic memories for seniors across the Valley.
The spark that ignited the group’s formation was an informal gathering. Kirschner invited a couple who had recently moved from California for dinner. The husband saw her piano and mentioned how he loves to sing and his wife writes poetry. “It was meant to be and it just grew from there,” Kirschner said. After that they asked a couple of friends to join them, they performed at their first retirement center and loved it.
Each performance season, Guyz ‘N Dollz have a new hour-long show. Their season runs from November to April with rehearsals starting in August. They currently have about 17 shows booked.
Since that first show, Guyz 'N Dollz has grown to a group of 15 members, including six "guyz" and six "dollz.” The performers, who are in their 60s to 80s, come from varied professional backgrounds, including a doctor, a lawyer, a college professor, and more. Some members bring their musical instruments into the mix, adding guitar, saxophone and drums to enhance the lively performances.
Members come from all over the Valley including Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Cave Creek, Phoenix, and more, all because of their love for music. The facilities they perform at throughout the season are Valleywide. They have upcoming shows at Heritage of Carefree Assisted Living, Revel Communities, Clearwater Pinnacle Peak and Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care.
“We’re a very democratic group,” Kirschner said. “Each person has a say in what the new program will be for the next year.”
Their performances primarily feature well-loved Broadway numbers and familiar songs from past decades. This year, their opening song is “Consider Yourself.” Their moderator will take the audience through the show's different sections. There will be a Best of Broadway section, travel section including the beloved “Hit the Road Jack,” a variety section including a duet of “Blue Skies,” a small group performance of “Singin’ in the Rain,” and a full group performance of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” During the rock and roll section their Elvis will come out. There will also be a sing along for the audience to join to “Put on a Happy Face.”
Filled with solos, duets, and small ensemble numbers, Guyz ‘N Dollz bring a vibrant show full of choreography, costumes and familiar music. “It’s always different. There’s different acts and music,” Kirschner said. “It’s more of a variety show.”
Beyond the music, the impact of Guyz 'N Dollz reaches deeper into the community. Proceeds from their shows have gone to Rosie’s House, a Phoenix-based nonprofit whose mission is to “eliminate barriers to high-quality music education.” Through music they’re able to support the youth as they develop their full “creative and personal potential.”
As an older group themselves, the members of Guyz ‘N Dollz are able to relate to those they perform for. “We laugh a lot and we have a good time. We really enjoy the people at the retirement centers. They remember the songs and they are still happy people even though they have walkers or canes,” Kirschner said. “They love us and we love them too. They have a wonderful, positive outlook and I hope all of us have that too. It’s a great feeling and we all get something out of it.”
For those interested in joining, auditions are open, with a welcoming and relaxed environment.
For anyone interested in learning more or about where they’ll be performing next you can reach out to the group on Facebook at facebook.com/GuyznDollzgroup.
