Our Legendary Line of Long-Legged Lovelies
At age 18 Jill Gordon
The Deputy Company Dance Manager of the Follies is Jill Gordon, who, at 67, is in her 14th 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.
From 1988 to 1991, she produced her own '50s revue entitled Bop. During this time, she began touring with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello in a nostalgic show reminiscent of the Beach Party movies. She continued working with Avalon until 1996.
What is your favorite Follies memory? "During my very first performance on stage at the Follies, I had to hold back the tears when Mr. Markowitz introduced veterans in the audience. It was so emotional for me."
MORE FUN FACTS:
- Jill is a West Coast girl all the way, growing up in Los Angeles, going to high school in Burbank, and hanging out on the beach when she wants to get away.
- Her most memorable career moment was performing on the 4th of July with Frankie Avalon in a park in Ohio with 30,000 people assembled there for the show.
- The biggest challenge she has encountered: "Shoving a size 8 body into a size 4 costume."
- With the Follies, she discovered the secret to staying thin: "Riff Markowitz (the taskmaster)."
- After a rigorous performance of the Follies, she is aware that her feet and body ache "only when I'm awake."
- The best way to impress the old folks out there in the audience: "Put one foot in front of the other and smile."
- Jill's favorite quote: "When the time is right for knowing."
- Raising her daughter, Amy, was Jill's biggest experience in life. Amy works in the unusual occupation of midwife.
- The best part of being in the Follies, she says, ". . .is being part of a joyous, classy show that is well respected and has a positive effect on the people out front."
- The only aspect of her life that this Long-Legged Lovely rues is that she's not sure about the "Long." She admits, "I would like to have been taller."
