Summer Slideshow

Natascha Ahlborn

"I went to beautiful Munich where I again spent a happy summer. I kept in shape for the Follies' new season by taking dance class, doing cartwheels and the splits as part of my daily routine!

"It rained a lot, but that is why Munich is so lovely and green.

"Aufedersein!"

Wayne Albritton

"This summer, we took a vacation in our own backyard here in beautiful Palm Springs. I also looked after my dear 91-year-old mother, who moved here from Las Vegas several years ago.

"I also joined a ping-pong league in Palm Desert and the highlight was playing against Mimi, who is 80 years old! She ‘tore me up,' but knowing that in China they start learning to play at age three somewhat lessened the humiliation. She always attends the Follies and tried to repair my damaged ego by saying, ‘But I can't tap.' Small consolation!"

Judy Bell

"I had the summer of my life! Went to Long Beach to visit friends aboard the Queen Mary and pretended we were on a cruise.

"Then to Redondo Beach to visit more friends (You can NEVER have too many!).

"Las Vegas was a blast. I went to a show called Blue Man Group and attended a private party with 'the boys' afterwards. Also, saw Bette Midler's show, who I ADORE! I also visited Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and posed with all ‘the stars.'

"I then headed to the mountains of Idaho to celebrate my 72nd birthday. My granddaughter even surprised me by attending. A grand time was had by all!"

Hank Brunjes

"In June, I went to see my cousin in Mesquite, Nevada, then drove to New York to visit my brother and his family. Next, I went to Maryland to see my 95-year-old aunt. Went back to New York where I took mambo classes and went to the American Ballet Theater. It was a kick visiting my old haunts around Broadway.

"I then drove back to Vegas, turned around and drove 1,830 miles back to Winnipeg, Canada, then another 385 miles to the North Star Resort, where I've vacationed for the past six years. I caught Walleye and Northern Pike, had shore lunches and enjoyed the beautiful North Woods.

"But now, I'm anxious to get back to work!"

Leila Burgess

"My summer has been great! I've done many things that I've put off forever.

"Spent a great day at the Huntington Library, which gave me an opportunity to have dinner with my brother. I really enjoyed that since I so seldom get to see him.

"I went to Disneyland and had fun, but missed the Electrical Parade. When did it move over to California Adventure? But it didn't matter as this trip took place with my one-and-only love and the Follies' Deputy Company Dance Manager Jill Gordon. The three of us closed the park and got home at 2:30 a.m.

"Besides enjoying the near perfect weather and ocean near San Diego, I enrolled in tap, tango and salsa classes. What a trip! The instructors kept telling me that I was ‘a natural,' but I never told them who I was or what I did. The fun part was my last class when I gave them a Follies rack card with my photo on the cover. There was actually a lady in class from Palm Springs who I see at the show every year, but she never recognized me.

"I also helped my daughter move out of her house and into a bigger house, and I enjoyed the grandkids more than ever. I was exhausted but it was worth it all.

"And, finally, I went to Vegas to see the Bette Midler show and so enjoyed her!"

Leonard Crofoot

"I always go to my mom's farm in Oregon to help her get caught up on chores. I drive the tractor, say hello to her goat and cut weeds.

"This summer, I also studied piano. My dog listened to me practice and pretended he was the RCA Victor dog.

"My wife, visual artist Robin Palanker, was part of a group art show in Santa Monica, which drew rave reviews from the L.A. Times, so I was very proud of her."

Randy Doney

"Went to Park City, Utah; beautiful and very green. Visited the 2002 Olympic site and rode the ski lift then zip-lined down the mountain. Very fun!

"On the way, we stopped in Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. What nature we have in this country!

"Also went to San Diego to help friends move, and experienced the throngs of people attending the Comic-Con convention. There were many strange folk (but fun).

"Then went to L.A. for a few days and up to Oxnard for the beach.

"Vacation time is ending much too soon, but I'm looking forward to the new season!"

Dick France

"I visited my son Sean in Mexico, Missouri (yes, that's the name of the town!). I assisted him in choreographing a production of Oklahoma in the beautiful Presser Performing Arts Center. The run was sold out and I was very proud of his work.

"And at the age of 80, I'll soon be a first-time grandfather, so I helped my son remodel his house in preparation for the new baby.

"My wife Karrie and I also made a mini-trip to San Diego, but now I'm ready to get back to work for another season at the Follies!"

Jill Gordon

"I've done a few fun things this summer. We went to Disneyland and the fireworks were the best I have ever seen.

"I spent a lot of the summer at the beach. That's definitely my favorite place to recharge.

"I also managed to take a tango lesson with Leila and went to see Bette Midler in Las Vegas.

"It has been a very busy summer and I'm looking forward to getting back to the Follies to get some rest!"

Glenda Guilfoyle

"There have been many highlights to my summer.

"First, was my youngest daughter Vanessa's wedding on June 4. All of the family except two grandchildren made it. I had the joy of giving her away. The ceremony took place in Littleton, Colorado at Hudson Gardens, a beautiful location and the weather was also perfect.

"Vanessa is a neo-natal I.C.U. registered nurse and my new son-in-law Jeff is an engineer at Lockheed Martin.

"The day after the wedding they had a barbecue for over 100 guests (along with some rain and tornado warnings!). Thank God for a well-equipped basement!!!! They left for their honeymoon on St.Lucia Island the next day.

"My daughter Karin took me to Las Vegas in June for my 76th birthday and we saw Bette Midler's show. It was terrific.

"Then I left for New York and saw Billy Elliot and Mary Poppins, and visited with two former Follies cast members.

"And, oh yes - BIG NEWS: Grandbaby number 11 is on the way!!!!!"

Marcia Harp

"I enjoyed returning to the San Francisco Bay Area, where I lived for 40 years. I performed my one-woman show entitled An Evening With Marcia Harp and visited with all my wonderful friends.

"Then over to the East Bay to teach a master class in ballet-jazz fusion, reuniting with some 50 students and friends!

"Next, I returned to the Desert to take a break, and taught fitness and swimming. The remainder of my vacation has been spent finally unpacking some boxes. I guess I really do live here now!

"I also just filed an application to begin work on my doctorate degree about how the different disciplines in sports and dance are relevant to human aging."

John Kendrick

"I spent some time this summer studying with the Colorado Aerial Dance Theatre. My goal was to have a real Cirque du Soleil experience, but it took more strength than I realized. At times, it was more like Cirque du So-Lay-Down!

I also adopted a white West Highland terrier named Gracie. I decided if I was going to have time off in the summer, July would good time to welcome a new puppy into my home before Follies rehearsals begin."

Dorothy Kloss

"We had a busy summer. Went to Arizona to see everyone's favorite ventriloquist Sammy King. Then went to Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood where I had my feet photographed next to Eleanor Powell's footprints, "feeling her beat." She was my all-time favorite dancer. Her son, Peter Ford (by husband Glenn Ford), and I have corresponded through the years. She was an inspiration to him, as she was to me. Being "in her footsteps" was a thrill!

"I also received a beautiful tribute entitled "Guinness Book Grandma" written by my granddaughter Megan as part of her summer writing camp. Here is an excerpt: ‘Almost every other year my dad and I fly out to California to see my hilarious, animated, and encouraging Grandma, who is in better shape than I am. When we go to see her show, we are introduced to the audience by the emcee Riff. Then during the three-hour show, I can spot dancers winking and waving at me, along with a dazzling smile from my Grandma when she is introduced.'

"Could a grandmother be any more lucky?"

Joni Naber

"After spending three weeks with my family and friends in Maryland, I flew to Athens, Greece to reunite with my husband, Mike, who has been working in Baghdad for the last eight months.

"We spent a glorious vacation together seeing the great historical Athens and then the Isle of Crete. Seven days later, we were off to Rome to visit The Vatican, The Coliseum and also take time to eat fresh pasta and sample the ‘vino'!

"Next stop was Prague, which was a fairy tale adventure come true with tiny streets that were cobbled, castles and darling lil' shops. It was my favorite destination.

"We finished our tour with a three-day stop in London, where we will have memories to last forever!"

Jill Owens

"I visited my sisters in L.A, who worked on Garry Marshall's new film Valentine's Day. They mentioned my name to him and I was flattered that he not only remembered me from Blansky's Beauties (he was the director and I was a ‘Beauty'), but knows that I'm now in the Follies!

"Inspired by our theme last season, my husband and I drove along parts of historic Route 66 on our way back home to Davenport, Iowa. After singing the song all season, it was fun to see Kingman and Flagstaff.

"Then in Iowa, we visited with family and returned to all my old haunts!"

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