The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies facts for kids
The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies was a special dance and music show, much like the famous Ziegfeld Follies. It took place at the historic Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs, California, USA. The show ran every year from November to mid-May.
The Follies started in 1990, created by Riff Markowitz and Mary Jardin. Riff Markowitz was also the show's manager and host. This show was known for helping to make the downtown area of Palm Springs lively again, bringing in visitors from all over the world. What made the Follies truly unique was that all its performers were 55 years old or older! It even holds Guinness World Records for this amazing fact.
A short movie called Still Kicking: The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies was made about the show. This film was nominated for an Academy Award in 1998. A TV segment about the Follies on Seattle's KOMO-TV also won an Emmy Award in 1997. The shows attracted around 170,000 people each year. The co-founders announced on June 5, 2013, that the Follies would close. The final show was on May 18, 2014.
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Meet the Performers
The Follies featured many talented dancers, singers, and actors. Some performers were part of the regular cast, while others were special guest stars.
Featured Follies Performers
These performers were regular members of the Follies cast:
- Beverly Allen: She was known as the "World's Oldest Still Performing Showgirl" by the Guinness Book of Records at age 87.
- Hank Brunjes: An original cast member from the Broadway show West Side Story.
- Leonard Crofoot: A talented actor, singer, dancer, writer, and choreographer.
- Stephanie Eley: She performed in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls.
- Randy Doney: A dancer who performed with the famous Mitzi Gaynor.
- Gogi Grant: A popular singer.
- Dorothy Kloss: A skilled dancer and showgirl.
- Bud and James Mercer: Long-time performers and musicians from vaudeville.
- Jill Owens: A cast member from the sitcom Blansky's Beauties.
- Kit Smythe: An actress who performed on Broadway and television.
- Lou De Grado: A dancer, skater, and entertainer.
- Ann Murphy: A dancer and former Rockette from Radio City Music Hall.
- Sylvia Lewis: A legendary dancer, choreographer, and actress.
Guest Star Headliners
Many famous entertainers also performed as guest stars at the Follies:
- Brad Cummings and Rex: A funny ventriloquist act.
- John Davidson: A singer and comedian.
- The Diamonds: A Canadian Doo-Wop music group.
- Maureen McGovern: A singer and Broadway actress.
- Anna Maria Alberghetti: An operatic singer and actress.
- Kaye Ballard: An actress, comedian, and singer.
- The Four Aces: A male pop music quartet.
- Buddy Greco and Lezlie Anders: A singer and pianist with his singer spouse.
- Howard Keel: An actor and singer.
- Frankie Laine: A singer, songwriter, and actor.
- Carol Lawrence: A singer, actor, dancer, and Broadway star.
- Peggy March: A pop singer.
- Peter Marshall: A television and radio personality, actor, and singer.
- Barbara McNair: A singer and actress.
- The Mills Brothers: A jazz and pop vocal quartet.
- The Modernaires: A vocal group.
- Donald O'Connor: A dancer, singer, and actor.
- Trina Parks: An actress, vocalist, choreographer, and dancer, known for playing "Thumper" in Diamonds are Forever.
- Kay Starr: A pop and jazz singer.
- Ralph Young: From the singing team Sandler and Young.
Behind the Scenes Production
Many talented people worked behind the scenes to make the Follies a success.
- Musician Johnny Harris was the conductor for the entire time the show ran.
- Connie Furr Soloman was the main costume designer for several seasons, creating all the beautiful outfits.
