When people talk about the golden age of Hollywood, they’re usually referring to a period in the 1930s and 1940s, when stars like Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant became household names. MGM, Paramount and a handful of other studios produced hundreds of films and exercised an oligarchic clout over the film industry. Movies produced during this period symbolized the American dream and helped create what Tom Brokaw called “the greatest generation.”

This period was also when Mickey Rooney’s career took off. Often performing alongside Judy Garland, his shows in the ’30s and ’40s helped engrave Rooney’s name in the annals of Hollywood history. On Saturday, Nov. 17, at 8 p.m., Rooney and his wife, Jan, will perform the musical “Let’s Put on a Show” at the Rochester Opera House.

“Let’s Put on a Show” is the stage version of Rooney’s autobiography, combining song, dance, comedy and film clips to help tell the story of his career. Musical director Sam Kriger provides audio-visual accompaniment, and conversations with the audience add a participatory element to the production. Rooney first crawled onto the stage of his father’s Vaudeville act as an infant. Now 85, he is still going strong, and “Let’s Put on a Show” has been dubbed an 85th anniversary tour in honor of Rooney’s years as an entertainer.

“It’s one of those shows that are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Thomas Hensel, executive director of the Rochester Opera House. “He puts out an amazing amount of energy. His wife Jan is an amazing performer, as well. The two of them together put on a great show.”

Last September, Hensel went to a conference of venue operators in Baltimore. After wading through a sea of agents representing a multitude of artists and tours, Hensel stumbled upon Rooney’s show. “I noticed two or three of the places where he had performed were run by people I knew. I talked to them, and they said it was a great show. (They said,) ‘People love it and you should definitely book it,’” Hensel said.

The people most familiar with Rooney’s work are 50 and older. Hensel expects a large contingent of people from this age group at the show. He also expects a slightly smaller group of 30- to 50-year olds, along with a smattering of younger people.
“He has something to offer younger audiences, especially if they have any interest in Hollywood history,” Hensel said.
Throughout his 85-year career, Rooney has starred in more than 200 films. “Let’s Put on a Show” will feature the Brooklyn native singing a duet with Garland, whose presence will come in the form of an old film clip projected onto a large screen.
Rooney is also well known for his role in “Boys Town,” with Spencer Tracey, and, more recently, for his roles in “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World,” “Pete’s Dragon” and “Night at the Museum.”

Jan Rooney is Mickey’s eighth wife. They have been married for 29 years. She is an actor and singer and has had a successful career on the West Coast. The couple has a joint star on Hollywood’s walk of fame.

“It should be a fascinating show, because he is such an icon,” Hensel said.

The Rochester Opera House, which turns 100 on May 30, both hires acts to perform and produces its own performances. “It’s an unusual combination. Most theaters do one or the other,” Hensel said.

Tickets for “Let’s Put on a Show” are $35 for the general public and $30 for students and seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.rochesteroperahouse.com, call 603-335-1992 or visit the box office in Rochester City Hall at 31 Wakefield St. in Rochester.