Introducing The Manhattan Dolls
- Jodi Truglio
- Jul 1, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 1, 2025
A glimpse into the past, a time that was. A rush of memories. Picture it 1940, its a USO concert with planes flying over head. A group of women enter onto the stage and begin to sing. Whatever happened that day seems to fade away. For that moment all you hear are their voices and the audience cheering.
For many veterans attending a Manhattan Doll show memories come flooding back that brings a special kind of peace.
Heather Doll of The Manhattan Dolls was kind enough to answer a few questions for The Maple Gazette.
How did the idea for the Manhattan Dolls begin?
Former USO girl, Heather Stricker, got the idea for the Manhattan Dolls while walking home from an audition in NYC. The 1940s were written on her heart from a young age and she was inspired to find a way to bring the greatest eras of music to the people who needed it most. While on that walk, a pigeon pooped on her shoulder - we know, ew! But this was the good luck sign that she needed to spark a company that would last 12+ years (cheers to many more!) and bring vintage entertainment back to life, not only for viewers in this country, but across the globe! By the time she got back to her flat she had already named the group and picked out its first members.
Just curious, where are you based?
Tucson, Arizona. With one active Doll in NYC who still travels with us!
The Manhattan Dolls originated in New York City in 2009 and are swing-style female vocal trios with the sound of The Andrews Sisters. Started by former USO Girl, The Dolls travel the world performing for military events, air shows, award ceremonies, parades, jazz clubs, concert series, you name it! They have been featured on The Rachael Ray Show, BBC Radio London, Fox and Friends, LX 4 NY, The Tucson Morning Blend, Cincinnati Local 12 and more. They have had the pleasure of performing with famous bands including The Jive Aces in the UK, The Cotton Candies in France and The George Gee Orchestra and The Stan Rubin Orchestra in NYC. The Manhattan Dolls are available for private bookings and are constantly touring the US and abroad.
Could you tell us a little bit about what the process is for becoming a part of the Dolls? What would you say is the reason so many of them are passionate/drawn to performing as part of The Manhattan Dolls?
To become a Doll you must be a strong vocalist, have a good ear for harmonizing and blending in a trio, be able to learn and perform choreography while singing, be kind, charming and personable, and above all else, have a passion for the past.
There are so many reasons these girls are drawn to vintage music. First and foremost, it is our way to say "thank you" to our veterans and the people that fight for our freedom. We also all love this music - the harmonies, the lyrics - they just don't write songs like this anymore! The costumes are beautiful and so fun to wear, and we love to travel. Hearing the stories of the people we meet along the way, whether it be their own time serving or a family member or loved one, is absolutely priceless. We are so fortunate to do what we love!
What is your typical day like?
A typical day on tour looks like - wake up (hopefully get 7-8 hours of sleep!), take a walk or work out together (after coffee, of course), breakfast somewhere cute and local together. Any brush up rehearsal we need. Pin curl hair! Then just enjoy the area until sound check!
What is your most requested song that you play at your shows?
Since day one, our most requested song is “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy!” Though our Military Medley is a close second.
How do go about picking the songs for the show?
A few ways - we look at the top hits from the years we are representing. We ask our parents, grandparents, and fans. And sometimes, we pick songs based on their harmonies or just songs we love!
Tell us about your first big show?
From Heather Doll: I remember our first big show was at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC. It was an event for the Fraternal Order of Police. We were wearing our brand new polka dot dresses and our beat up character shoes, because we couldn’t afford show shoes yet. We also hadn’t quite mastered our vintage 40s hair styles, so looking back at photos gives me a giggle. I was so nervous to perform my own vocal arrangements for the very first time. It ended up being an amazing night of great music, wonderful people, and relationships that lasted throughout the years. We performed for this event several times throughout the years and they were always so proud to be our first!
You have had many memorable experiences over the years. Is there anything that stands out?
So many. Riding in a Yak 52, 2-seater aircraft, and "dog fighting" with a fellow Doll." Seeing elderly men and women suffering from severe dementia standing up and singing God Bless America with us, remembering every word. Their families crying beside them. Every November when we have our Dolls Annual Holiday rehearsal and party, the laughs, the silly jokes, doing choreography with our pets in our arms, Secret Doll (Santa) gifts that make us snort. The list goes on and on!
SOME FUN BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOOTAGE:
From Chelsee Doll:
As Manhattan Dolls, we get to experience truly unique moments in time. It's incredible, and it's part of what constantly refuels that passion to perform with this group. It's so much more than singing songs. It's preserving history. It's creating history. It's being that link between the past and the future. I was singing to Everett Hodge, who was 95 years old at the time. He was an Army vet from Bloomington, Indiana and landed on Utah Beach during D-Day. He marched from France to Germany fighting in the Battle of the Rhine. The newspapers from this event say that after I walked away, Mr. Hodge said, "She must have liked me!”
What can people expect when they attend one of your shows?
They can expect 3 lovely ladies sharing amazing vintage music in era-appropriate attire and as close to the original sound as possible. We pride ourselves on staying true to this amazing music.
Since we last spoke what has changed and what has stayed the same?
We have actually developed a new show called “Good Morning, Vietnam!” We perform this fun, high-energy show with a local classic rock back called The Tributaries. It’s a USO feel with so many great hits from 1955-1975! We are also able to do a shorten version with just the Dolls with backing tracks.
Do you have a favorite costume that you like to wear?
My favorite will always be our classic military pinup look. I think it really makes us stand out in a crowd!
Do you have a favorite brand of red lipstick?
Oooo never got this question before, love it! For shows, we all wear Ben Nye’s “Marilyn Red.”
Do you have any favorite makeup or fashion tips?
I’d say always prep the skin. When we are at air shows or long outdoor events, moisturizer with spf and primer always! And a no smudge liquid liner is key to perfecting our vintage eye looks!
What’s in store for the future?
Chelsee Doll will be taking over the company eventually, and continuing to book our trios out for concerts and special events, and continuing our mission of keeping this amazing music alive and introducing it to younger generations!
The USO (United Service Organizations) is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to lift the spirits of military service members and their families. President Franklin Roosevelt created the USO on February 4, 1941, and served as its first honorary chairman.
2025 Shows
July 3 - Salute to America - Gaslight Music Hall, Oro Valley, AZ
July 28 - Rockin' With The Dolls, 1950s-60s Music - The Gaslight Theatre, Tucson, AZ
Courtesy Images: The Manhattan Dolls
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