The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies facts for kids
The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies was a very special dance and music show. It was like the famous Ziegfeld Follies, full of singing and dancing. This amazing show took place at the historic Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs, California. It ran every year from November to mid-May.
The Follies started in 1990. It was created by Riff Markowitz and Mary Jardin. Mr. Markowitz was also the show's main organizer and host. This show was unique because all its performers were 55 years old or older! It even holds Guinness World Records for this special fact. The Follies helped make downtown Palm Springs a lively place. Many people from all over the world came to see it.
A short movie called Still Kicking: The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies was made about the show. This film was even nominated for an Oscar! Also, a TV show segment about the Follies won an Emmy award in 1997. About 170,000 people watched the show each year. On June 5, 2013, the creators announced that the Follies would close. The very last show was on May 18, 2014.
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Meet the Performers
The Follies had many talented people. Some were regular cast members. Others were special guest stars.
Featured Follies Stars
These performers were part of the main cast:
- Beverly Allen: She was called the "World's Oldest Still Performing Showgirl" by the Guinness Book of Records at age 87.
- Hank Brunjes: He was in the first Broadway show of West Side Story.
- Leonard Crofoot: A talented actor, singer, dancer, writer, and choreographer.
- Stephanie Eley: She was in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls.
- Randy Doney: A dancer who performed with the famous Mitzi Gaynor.
- Gogi Grant: A very popular singer.
- Dorothy Kloss: A wonderful dancer and showgirl.
- Bud and James Mercer: These two were vaudeville performers and musicians for a long time.
- Jill Owens: She was a cast member on the TV show Blansky's Beauties.
- Kit Smythe: An actress from Broadway and television.
- Lou De Grado: A dancer, skater, and entertainer.
- Ann Murphy: A dancer and a former Rockette from Radio City Music Hall.
- Sylvia Lewis: A legendary dancer, choreographer, and actress.
Guest Stars and Headliners
Many famous people also performed as special guests:
- Brad Cummings and Rex: A funny ventriloquist act.
- John Davidson: A singer and comedian.
- The Diamonds: A Canadian singing group known for Doo-Wop music.
- Maureen McGovern: A singer and Broadway actress.
Other famous headliners included:
- Anna Maria Alberghetti: An opera singer and actress.
- Kaye Ballard: An actress, comedian, and singer.
- The Four Aces: A popular male singing group.
- Buddy Greco and Lezlie Anders: A singer and pianist, and a singer.
- 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 TV and radio host, actor, and singer.
- Barbara McNair: A singer and actress.
- The Mills Brothers: A famous jazz and pop singing group.
- The Modernaires: A vocal group.
- Donald O'Connor: A dancer, singer, and actor.
- Trina Parks: An actress, singer, choreographer, and dancer. She played "Thumper" in the James Bond movie 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.
Johnny Harris was the music conductor for the entire time the show ran. He led the orchestra.
Connie Furr Soloman was the main costume designer for several seasons. She created the beautiful outfits the performers wore.
