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Greetings, Darlin's! July - originally Quintillis in Latin - was later renamed in honor of Julius Caesar and pronounced "Julie" until the 18th Century. Just a bit of middling arcanum before my really BIG news! Tickets to the Follies' all-new sixteenth edition are now available online at www.psfollies.com. Our season begins October 31 with our biggest show yet. The theme is Gotta Dance! and do we ever! "We," of course, is just a figure of speech as I mean "they" (although I have been known to "cut the rug" with the best of them). For more details on our newest edition, please click the tab labeled "Our All New Show" on the Follies' aforementioned home page. Like racehorses at the gate, our cast is now anxiously awaiting the commencement of rehearsals in a little over a month. And, as we speak, they are being fitted for our most (unquestionably) lavish Follies costumes EVER! In next month's missive, I'll introduce you to our four new cast members who have all had impressive careers and are no less impressive today. With several hundred talented singers and dancers from all across the country attending our recent auditions, we selected those who have that special "something" that will dazzle our audiences. Other news in this issue of "Confidential" is a just-released book by Follies Friends Art Linkletter and Mark Victor Hansen entitled "How to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life." It prominently features interviews with several of our cast members. My thanks to these two extraordinary authors for including us in their superb handbook for successful aging. Just before our season closing in May, we were honored to have in our audience Red Hat Queen Mum Sue Ellen Cooper. Red Hatters now number over one million worldwide and a good percentage of them make an annual pilgrimage to the Follies. Love 'em or fear 'em, these ladies are an amazing force of nature! |
Something of which we are most proud: Follies maintenance staffer Maurice Call was named "Attraction Person of the Year" by the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism at the City's recent "Best of the Best" awards dinner. Kudos to Mr. Call, an extraordinary young man about whom I know you will enjoy reading more.
Finally, my best wishes to Follies' friends Bud and Betty Yount on the recent celebration of their 60th wedding
anniversary. The Younts can be spotted at numerous Follies performances each season, always in the front
row of the balcony. In past Footlighter programs, you have read about them and their tireless work on behalf of military veterans
While we are officially in the midst of "the dog days of summer," I wish you a restful and enjoyable July. Were I to publicize the recent temperatures of our wee burg, I would fear reprisal from our local chamber of commerce. Suffice it to say, it's HOT in Palm Springs, but it's a dry heat. It is only in Palm Springs that one comes to realize asphalt has a liquid state.
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"It's a full house, filled with the low susurration of hundreds of people when they're whispering to each other in anticipation. The lights go down and silence falls. Then...wow! The small stage is filled with dapper men in tuxedos and spats and lovely ladies in magnificent ornate costumes that look like they belong at the Moulin Rouge. Together they tap, soft shoe, kick impossibly high, sing, and for more than three hours project enough joy, sex appeal, and confidence to light up the city of Palm Springs, California, where this spectacle takes place."
Art Linkletter and Mark Victor Hansen
Thus begins Chapter 10 of a new book entitled "How to Make the Rest of Your Life, the Best of Your Life" by celebrity, businessman and author, Art Linkletter, and co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" publishing phenomenon, Mark Victor Hansen.
Released on July 17, 2006, in celebration of Mr. Linkletter's 94th birthday, this book is a guide to successful aging and includes interviews with Follies cast members and an account of what the show means to the millions of people who have already attended a performance.
The book is available at bookstores and Amazon.com, so we encourage both Follies fans and fans of these two great authors to purchase a copy.
The Follies was indeed honored to be visited this past May by Red Hat Society Founder and "Exalted Queen Mother" Sue Ellen Cooper. The Society now has over 40,000 chapters in 30 countries including the Follies' own "Long Legged Lovely" Chapter (comprised of Follies cast members).
According to Ms. Cooper, "The Red Hat Society began as a result of a few women deciding to greet middle age with verve, humor and elan. We believe silliness is the comedy relief of life, and since we are all in it together, we might as well join red-gloved hands and go for the gusto together."
With a philosophy that so resonates with the Follies' own, is it any wonder "Hatters" flock to the Follies by the thousand each and every season?
(Maurice Call (center) accepting award from "Best of the Best"
Co-Chairman Tony Bruggemans and Follies Co-Founder Mary Jardin.)
The Follies was honored when the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism selected Follies Maintenance Lead Maurice Call as the recipient of their "Golden Palm Award" for "Attraction Person of the Year" at their recent "Best of the Best" Awards Gala.
Nominated by his peers and recognized repeatedly by Follies patrons for his patience, consideration and compassion in assisting walker and wheelchair users as they enter and exit the theater, Maurice is always careful not to make anyone feel rushed or embarrassed. He often even escorts them back to their automobiles and buses.
Follies management as well as Maurice's co-workers all agree that he definitely helps make a visitor's experience in Palm Springs just a little nicer.
Before visiting the Follies, why not consider attending "The Leonardo da Vinci Exhibit" at the Palm Springs Air Museum running November, 2006 through March, 2007? www.palmspringsairmuseum.org
Experience the dream of flight via 60+ working replicas of Leonardo da Vinci's vintage flying, mechanical and military machines. Visitors will step into a 15th Century Florentine street scene before entering three galleries composed of transportation, military and mechanical machines. A group of Florentine artisans spent 50 years constructing machines based upon Da Vinci's drawings and descriptions.
To purchase tickets, call (800) 514-ETIX (3849) or buy online at www.palmspringsairmuseum.org.
Starting this season, the Follies offers group rates (on selected seats) for parties with as few as ten people. If you're interested in learning more about a Follies party, please call (760) 778-7657 or email our groups department. You may be eligible for discounts and other special offers.
We also offer party packages comprised of souvenirs and/or refreshments at substantial discounts.
Holiday office party, birthday party or golf buddies just "checking out the fetching gals in thigh-highs," what could be more fun than going to a show with friends, family or co-workers!
While planning your next Palm Springs visit, why not consider the companies below for a variety of lodging options?
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A Place In the Sun, 754 San Lorenzo Road, Palm Springs, CA 92264. Charming 50's style bungalow in a lush garden setting. Fully-equipped kitchens and private walled patios. Just south of downtown Palm Springs. Pets welcome! Call (800) 779-2254 or visit www.aplaceinthesunhotel.com (Group information contact Norma Van Meeteren (760) 325-0254 or email sellps@aol.com ) Caliente Springs Resort, 70-200 Dillon Road, Sky Valley, CA 92241. A 55+ Gated Resort with RV sites, park model sales and rentals with golf, natural hot water spas, massage therapist, shuffleboard, billiards, large clubhouse, 2 lighted tennis courts. Call 888-894-SPAS, email calientesprings@calientesprings.com or visit www.calientesprings.com. Casino Morongo Resort and Spa, 49500 Seminole Dr., Cabazon, CA 92230. New resort casino, world-class spa; shopping at the outlet malls next door. Call (888) 667-6646 or visit http://www.morongocasinoresort.com/. (Group information contact Michael Potts at 951-755-5442 or email michael_potts@morongo.com) Comfort Inn, 390 South Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Within walking distance of the Follies, the Comfort Inn offers preferred group rates to patrons of the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies. Call 888-322-1997 or visit www.palmspringscomfortinn.com. (Group information contact Judy Miller at 888-322-1997 or email cipssales@earthlink.net ) Desert Cities Hotel Reservations. A complete guide for local hotels and resorts, many within walking distance of the Palm Springs Follies. Call 800-615-7805, email hotelres@californiastay.com or visit www.CaliforniaStay.com. Fun Tours. One-call, group overnight Follies bargain package: Follies, hotel, dinner, stars homes tour and more. Call Erich Langmann at 760-327-0658 or email pstlps@aol.com. Ingleside Inn, 200 West Ramon Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262. "One of the 10 Best" according to Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous; four stars by The Desert Sun newspaper; Call 760-325-0046, email contact@inglesideinn.com or visit www.inglesideinn.com. (Group information contact Brian Ellis at 760-325-2323) |
Palm Mountain Resort, 155 South Belardo Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262. 120-room, full-service hotel located in the heart of Palm Springs, footsteps from the Palm Springs Follies, retail, gaming, dining and entertainment; AAA 3-Diamond. Call 800-622-9451 or visit www.palmmountainresort.com. (Group information contact David Patterson at 800-622-9451 or email sales@palmmountainresort.com ) Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism and Visitors Center. Complete listing of all Palm Springs hotels. Call (800) 347-7746 or visit www.palm-springs.org. (Group information contact Liz Perkovich at 760-778-8415 or email eperkovich@palm-springs.org). The Rental Connection, 190 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264. Offers hundreds of vacation-ready houses and condominiums: one to five bedrooms, pools, tennis, golf. Something for every budget. Since 1974. Before your next trip to Palm Springs, check out this affordable alternative to staying at a hotel. Call (760) 320-7336 or (800) 462-7256, email info@therentalconnection.com or visit www.therentalconnection.com. Sky Valley Resort, 74-711 Dillon Road, Sky Valley, CA. 92241. Gated all age resort with park model sales and rentals, two clubhouses, massage therapist, restaurant (seasonal), four tennis courts, computer centers, market. Call 888-893-SPAS, email skyvalleyresort@skyvalleyresort.com or visit www.skyvalleyresort.com. Spa Resort Casino, 401 East Amado, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Twenty-four-hour Casino with six restaurants, 228-room hotel, full-service spa and fitness center. Within walking distance of the Follies. Call (760) 883-1000 or visit www.sparesortcasino.com. (Group information contact Angela Fuentes by phone at (760) 778-1522 or by email to afuentes@srcmail.net ) Vagabond Inn, 1699 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264. Limited service hotel with free continental breakfast, outdoor pool, and clean, comfortable rooms. Call (760) 325 - 7211 or visit www.vagabondinn.com (Group information contact Vikki Larsen at 310-410-5728 or email mpalmsprings@vagabondinn.com ) |