PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Once again, the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies make history in Southern California.
This dazzling Ziegfield-type extravaganza got its start on Palm Spring's Plaza Theater stage in 1990. I don't think I had any idea when I went to MY first performance the following year that I would end up being "hooked for life."
Sixteen years later, however, the idea of missing a new season of the truly fabulous Follies is more unthinkable than trying to skip Christmas or the Fourth of July.
Every year, from October to May, this three-hour musical spectacular continues to play to packed audiences. But what is it that not only keeps pulling in the crowds but also keeps bringing them back year after year?
It's not just its rich variety of wonderful sets and lavish costumes, its first-class orchestra, its suave and debonair master of ceremonies, Riff Markowitz, or even its huge professional cast of talented singers and dancers who have all previously performed in major Broadway musicals and/or popular TV variety shows.
It's the fact that every one of its multitalented performers happens to be a senior citizen — and we're talking about ages that range from 55 to 85!
By chance, I happened to attend an evening performance when the mayor of Palm Springs was in attendance as well — and for good reason: at a key point in the three-act production, he came on stage to present a member of the cast a special award.
Dorothy Kloss, who began dancing in 1926, is now in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest still-performing chorus girl in the world — at age 85!
Furthermore, the mayor said, that day — Jan. 15th ?— would forever be celebrated in Palm Springs as Dorothy Kloss Day.
This year the theme of the Fabulous Follies is "Get Your Kicks (on Route 66)" and Act I started off with a nostalgic focus on that U.S. route that had been so popular throughout the '30s, '40s, and '50s, with songs such as "The Yellow Rose of Texas," "Kansas City" and "St. Louis Blues" — a highlight being pretty songstress Judy Bell, now 71, singing in her always thrilling contralto voice, "One for my baby, and one more for the road."
Having performed in major hotels in Reno, Lake Tahoe and elsewhere, Bell was also voted "Best Las Vegas Female Performer" four times.
Next on this season's show comes the fun diversion of Irina Markova and her amazing Russian poodles, followed by what is always one of the high points of every Follies production. Called "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody," this section features the women of the cast as, one by one, they come down the staircase, each to her own song, and all dressed in elaborately bejeweled and feathered costumes.
After intermission, Act II begins with ventriloquist Sammy King and his talking parrot, Francisco, followed by the men and women of the ensemble doing numbers from Broadway and 42nd Street.
As is the custom of the Fabulous Follies, the focal point of this middle act is always the guest performer and, in years past, this has been such entertainers as Donald O'Connor, the Mills Brothers and the Four Aces.
This year's featured artist is actress/singer Susan Anton, who has the knack of wowing her audience all the while she's on stage. Anton will continue to perform until the season ends May 17, except for the period from March 10 through May 9, when entertainer John Davidson takes over.
Act III features both the men and women of the cast doing lively songs and dances — including plenty of tap. Numbers included "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby" and "It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got that Swing."
Then, as is tradition, the final section of this lively and highly nostalgic show — now called "Red, White and Blue" — is a musical tribute to the songs of World War I and World War II, from George M. Cohan's "You're a Grand Old Flag" to Gershwin's "Strike Up the Band."
Without question, the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies is a unique and memorable show that everyone definitely ought to see at least once. And once you've been, I have a strong hunch you're going to find yourself coming back again and again and again.
If you go...
What: Fabulous Palm Springs Follies
Where: Plaza Theater, Palm Springs, Calif.
When: through May 17
How much: $49.95-$91.95
Phone: 760-327-0225
Web: www.psfollies.com
E-mail: features@desnews.com