At age 17
DOROTHY KLOSS
"Good times have always rolled for me!"
Dorothy Dale Kloss, at 86, is billed in the Guinness Book of Records as the "Oldest 'Still Performing' Showgirl in the World." An octogenarian "phenom," she's become an international media darling as reporters travel from around the globe to learn from what Fountain of Youth she seemingly drinks?
She began dancing when she was three years old. As a precocious Chicago teenager, she taught a young Bob Fosse how to tap dance, won a tap contest herself at the renowned Miss Abbott's Dance School and catapulted to stardom at the age of 15 with her own act in the Empire Room of the Palmer House.
She performed with the famed Eddy Duchin Orchestra until his band members were drafted during World War II and then danced for the USO. Touring the United States and Mexico, she was on stage at various times with Liberace, the Mills Brothers, Mel Torme, Cantinflas, Howard Keel, Kay Starr, Frankie Laine and Chico Marx, and was accompanied in her routines by such noted big bands as those of Ray Noble, Skinnay Ennis, Les Brown and Shep Fields (and his Rippling Rhythm).
In 1946, Dorothy became the hostess and dance instructress on television for Chicago's WBKB and did the first tap numbers on the little screen.
Doting Dorothy has an admiring son and two granddaughters and, now, in her 15th season with the Fabulous Follies, is nothing less than a "Force of Nature" both onstage and off.
What is your favorite song from the 40s, 50s or 60s? "I can't remember song names that far back. I'm 86; I can't remember what I had for breakfast today!"
MORE FUN FACTS:
- She was paid $35 for the first week of the Empire Room gig and still has the canceled check. She used the money to buy a dress for her mother, who created her costumes.
- Miss Abbott, who booked her, changed her name to Dorothy Dale (from Hunn).
- She isn't shy about what inspired her to audition at 70 for the Follies. "Money, success and fame," she says and adds with a laugh, "Two out of three ain't bad."
- And she doesn't worry about her feet and body aching after a performance. "I soak them," she quips mischievously, "in vodka."
- On a serious note, the most challenging experience of her life was being diagnosed with colon cancer two decades ago and making a full recovery after surgery. "I just never thought about it," she says. "I just changed my thinking and my eating habits."
MORE:
NATASCHA AHLBORN
"Dancing is my idea of a good time!"
Though she claims Berlin as her hometown, Natascha Ahlborn, 74, was actually born in Prussia in the port city of Stettin and moved to the German capital during World War II. She started classical ballet training in Kassel and performed in opera houses all over Europe but, because of her height (nearly 5'10"), Natascha turned to show business, joining the Folies Bergere in Paris.
Read More!
JUDY BELL
"Having company over for dinner, sittin' around the table and laughin'; that's my idea of a good time!"
Since she came yodeling out of the hills of West Virginia, Judy Bell has enjoyed an impressive career spanning nearly her entire 72 years.
Her own musical comedy revue, The Judy Bell Show, was featured at the MGM hotels in Reno and Las Vegas; Harrah's hotels in Lake Tahoe and Reno; the Flamingo, Sahara and Frontier hotels in Las Vegas, and the Cinegrill at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
Read More!
LEILA BURGESS
"My idea of a good time? 'Smoking, drinking, never thinking . . . ' just like the song says!"
As Company Dance Manager and Creative Consultant, Leila Burgess contributes to all Follies production numbers and wardrobe design, and manages the entire cast, no easy task considering the group's "seniority." She's also out front performing. At 74, she is in her 18th Follies season.
Read More!
JILL GORDON
"A good time? How about coffee and a croissant at the Café de Paris in Monte Carlo. It doesn't get any better!"
The Deputy Company Dance Manager of the Follies is Jill Gordon, who, at 66, is in her 13th year with the show. She started on stage in the Moro Landis chorus line, touring Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Jill gravitated to television and danced on the Andy Williams and Dean Martin shows, then spent a full season on The Carol Burnett Show. In 1976, she began a 12—year professional relationship with Mac Davis, traveling the world, dancing and singing. She also appeared in his numerous television specials.
Read More!
GLENDA GUILFOYLE
"Spending time with my grandchildren is my idea of a good time!"
She is the prototypical classic showgirl with a lifetime spent kicking up her heels in the chorus line. At 76, she is in her 15th season as a Fabulous Follies Long—Legged Lovely.
Glenda Guilfoyle, born in New York, started out by driving back east in the family car from San Bernardino with her professional dancer parents to become, at 17, one of the famed Radio City Rockettes.
Read More!
MARCIA HARP
"An evening at home with family and friends is my idea of a good time!"
Marcia Harp returns to the Fabulous Follies for her second season. At 68 years of age, she has enjoyed a varied career that includes dancing, singing, her own show, fitness training and powerlifting.
A native of Barnesville, Ohio, Marcia played leading roles in venues from coast to coast in such musicals as West Side Story, Carousel, Irma La Douce, The Music Man and The Fantasticks.
Read More!
JONI NABER
"World travel with my wonderful husband is my idea of a good time!"
Joni Naber, 73 years young, joined the Follies four years ago after owning and operating a dance studio in her native Washington, D.C., for 47 years. But that was after an illustrious performing career that began with appearances on television in the nation's capital when she was in her teens.
Read More!
JILL OWENS
"Hanging out with my sisters and all the Follies gals is my idea of a good time!"
The Dance Captain of the Follies is Jill Owens, 67, now in her 11th season as a Long—Legged Lovely.
She first made the jump from Davenport, Iowa, to the bright lights of national television as a June Taylor Dancer on The Jackie Gleason Show. Moving on to Broadway, she appeared in No, No Nanette (with Ruby Keeler), Pippin (with Ben Vereen) and Tip Toes. She assumed the role of "Misty Knight" on the TV show, Blansky's Beauties, with Nancy Walker, and had parts in Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley.
Read More!
SUZANNE VITALE
"Being onstage at the Follies and having my grandchildren in the audience is my idea of a good time . . . and I'm just going to keep on rolling!"
Suzanne Vitale, 71, is returning to the Plaza Theatre stage this season after performing in the Follies 15th season. Previously, she toured with national companies of Li'l Abner and My Fair Lady, eventually traveling with the latter to Canada and Russia. She appeared at the famed Paper Mill Playhouse-just across the river from Broadway-in productions of Oklahoma! and Silk Stockings. In Miami Beach, she danced at Lou Walter's nightclub, Café de Paris (a sister club to his famed Latin Quarter in New York).
Read More!
