The Gentlemen of the Follies!

At age 24

John Kendrick

"Summer is for riding the 'big' roller coasters--in the front seat, of course--rollerblading, and ziplining on a wire through a forest or down a mountain."

At 58 years of age, John Kendrick is now in his fourth season with the Fabulous Follies. He grew up in upstate New York, around Binghamton and Ithaca, on the carnival circuit, which planted the show business bug in him early. As a teenager, he moved from midways and fairs to the stage, principally musical productions.

Inspired by television's Route 66, John packed up his Impala convertible and headed west, landing in Las Vegas. For the next 12 years he sang and danced in the Lido de Paris at the Stardust Hotel while also performing on many TV variety specials headlined by such stars as Sammy Davis, Jr., Siegfried & Roy, Juliet Prowse and Ann-Margret.

After moving to Palm Springs in 1989, John owned and operated a bed-and-breakfast, from which he is now semi-retired. He has taken leave from being a hotelier to return to his favorite occupation, performing in front of an audience.

MORE FUN FACTS

He likes to take songs from the early '30s and sing them in more lyrical and emotional style than originally intended.
His favorite dancers, stylistically, are: tap, Ann Miller; ballroom, Fred Astaire; jazz, Gene Kelly; ballet, Mikhail Baryshnikov; toe tap and fire baton, Eleanor Powell.
John's hero(ine): Helene Yelverton. "She was my first dance teacher many years ago in New York, and now she and her husband, Bill, have evolved into best friends and inspirational examples of how to embrace your senior years."
One night, as the line captain for the Lido de Paris, he watched the show from spotlight booths perched high in the ceiling. Siegfried & Roy, the stars, inadvertently showed him the secret to their magical illusions because he was looking down at the top of their heads and "could see everything. If you ever want to saw a lady in half or make an elephant disappear, I'm your man."

Wayne Albritton

"My favorite childhood memory of summer is visiting my parents' relatives in the backwoods of Mississippi, and I do mean backwoods!"

Baseball lost a hot prospect when Wayne Albritton, a college shortstop, opted to become a dancer. At 69, he returns for his 12th season at the Fabulous Follies. He . . . Read More!

Hank Brunjes

"Summertime is a good time to recharge my batteries. I love taking dance classes at my favorite studio in Manhattan and having time off to visit family and friends in New York."

Hank Brunjes had barely turned 20 when he first made it to Broadway in the 1952 revival of Pal Joey. He followed it up . . . Read More!

Randy Doney

"Summer is the time to rest and regroup in preparation for another fun year at the Follies--and yearly doctor exams. At this age health is priority."

When a Follies cast member suffered an injury 13 years ago, Randy Doney came in to rehearse on a Tuesday, and on Wednesday he was on stage for opening . . . Read More!

Dick France

"Spending time woodworking in my shop, painting landscapes and seascapes, and taking our dog Samson on early morning walks are my favorite summer activities."

Three decades of teaching dance didn't dim Dick France's urge to go out there and do it himself, yet one more time! At 82, he is in his 10th . . . Read More!

Carter Poust

"Summertime is the season to get together with friends and family living in other parts of the country. Pool parties and barbecues are always the best way to play catch up."

Born in Geneva, Illinois, but raised in Boulder, Colorado, this veteran dancer earned a bachelors degree in theater and dance . . . Read More!