The Gentlemen of the Follies!
At age 23 Randy Doney
When a Follies cast member suffered an injury 12 years ago, Randy Doney came in to rehearse on a Tuesday, and on Wednesday he was on stage for opening day. Randy, 71, is still here. His extensive career began right after high school in Chicago when he joined a national touring company of My Fair Lady. He landed in New York to appear in the original film version of The Producers.
His Broadway shows included Camelot and La Cage Aux Folles. His feature films extended to Mame, Pennies from Heaven and Blazing Saddles. On television, he was with The Carol Burnett Show for 11 years, appeared in numerous high profile specials, starting with Bob Hope, and played a tap-dancing psychiatrist on Frazier.
Over the years, Randy has danced with Gene Kelly, Mitzi Gaynor, Cyd Charisse, Shirley MacLaine, Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera. He found time to produce fashion shows, was an associate director for Barry Manilow concerts, and helped choreograph the 10th anniversary season of the Follies.
He serves on the Board of Directors of the Professional Dancers Society.
What is your favorite memory from the Follies? "To this day, I am moved by the pride with which our servicemen and women stand to be acknowledged by the Follies and the respect shown to them by our audiences."
MORE FUN FACTS:
- Randy was something of a musical prodigy as a pianist and cellist until his agility in acrobatics class led him to dancing lessons.
- His favorite hoofers, of course, were Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Dan Dailey. His favorite movie is, naturally, The Red Shoes.
- His secret for staying thin is "Work, work, work!" Good rest, eating properly, and mental discipline help with the rigors of a challenging Follies schedule.
- His mother supplied the overriding philosophy of his life: "Always be kind, tell the truth and remember, ‘You can catch more flies with honey.'"
- Randy is featured prominently on the new DVD entitled Mitzi Gaynor: Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years. He is interviewed throughout about his many years of working with Gaynor in nightclubs and on her many highly-rated TV specials.
- His most challenging assignment in show business was, as executive in charge of production, to mount a $500,000 one-night show for a children's charity called SHARE.
- His advice for other old folks? "Don't think old. . .. Stay young, think young, be young."
