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Greetings, Darlin's!
 Happy Halloween…almost!
Did you know the Celtic New Year, marking the end of the fall harvest and the beginning of winter, was celebrated on November 1? With the sun fading and darkness looming, the Celts along with their priests, the Druids, believed the shroud between life and death was at its thinnest on October 31, when the spirits of the departed visited the world of the living. This is but one of the many legends contributing to modern-day Halloween lore. (For trivia buffs, do you remember what season the Follies’ opening number had a Druid theme? Unfortunately for our purposes, Druids wore very few rhinestones and sequins, so we won't be repeating that anytime soon!)
Halloween in Palm Springs is a spectacle of Big Hair, fake eyelashes, spike heels and fishnet stockings. Upon the Plaza Theatre stage, only our ladies are so adorned, but what better day to open our fabulous and extravagant 16th season?!
The Follies usually opens the first Tuesday of November, but – observing the current political season – the prospect of opening on Election Day seemed even scarier than Halloween! (Washington has been especially generous to folks who try to be funny – like me! – during this election cycle.)
As you’ve heard, the theme of this season’s Follies is Gotta Dance! The rehearsal racket from the stage is at times deafening even here in my office, as it seems our cast does nothing but stomp and time-step. But the dance craze has our cast as excited as the rest of the nation, so dance they will; from the opening curtain to their final bows. I can’t wait to show you what we have planned; Follies Favorites can catch a glimpse now on their “members only” page. |
Next week, our intrepid Follies Ambassadors will be helping to staff the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism’s booth at both the Gay Travel Expo in San Francisco, California and the AARP “Life @50+” National Event in Anaheim, California. We hope you can stop by to say hello.
Finally, I’m very happy to announce that between online contributions and checks, we have now exceeded our goal of $5,000 for the 19th Annual Desert AIDS Walk. Thank you to Follies friends and family for your generous donations. We would still love for you to join us in the walk (and receive your free Follies t-shirt) on October 28 here in Palm Springs, and additional contributions can still be made by clicking here.
It’s just a little over a week until we welcome you back to our beloved historic Plaza Theatre and a new season of the Follies, so I must go now and do whatever it is our production team tells me it’s time to do (they’re merciless!).
Be well and, until I see you here in our Follies audience, keep dancing!
Riff Markowitz
"The Follies Man"
PS. Thirteen season Follies cast member, Natascha Ahlborn, took this photo in July during her annual hometown visit to Munich, Germany. She claims it bears a passing resemblance to moi? This may be Miss Ahlborn’s final season as a Follies cast member!
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  We are always proud to present the finest variety acts from around the globe and this season is no exception. One act will only be with us during the Follies holiday show, however, so be sure to catch Mr. Denis Lacombe in November and December only!
Lacombe, 50, is a French Canadian visual comedian and makes his debut this season at the historic Plaza Theatre.
Lacombe caused a sensation early in his career by taking first prize at the 1985 Circus of Tomorrow World Festival in Paris. Returning to North America, he was instrumental in the early success of Cirque du Soleil, in Canada and on tour, and helped to define Cirque's rebellion against traditional circus forms. He was later a smash hit with New York's Big Apple Circus.
He has since appeared on countless television specials and international TV series. He is prominently featured on the recently released, DVD box set: Cirque du Soleil: Anniversary Collection—1984-2005 .
In his work, Lacombe says, he aspires to be “a living cartoon.” “M. Lacombe is considered by many to be one of the great, living clowns,” observes Follies producer-director, Riff Markowitz, adding, “And rightfully so.”
This month, we would like to introduce you to two of the Follies’ exceptional new cast members. We’re certain you will enjoy learning more about them:
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"As a boy, I spent three years in a wheelchair and I’m never going back. I’m going to dance forever!"
Leonard Crofoot, 58, made his debut at age 12, playing a grasshopper with the Kirov Ballet. On Broadway he originated the role of Tom Thumb in Barnum, and appeared in five other original Broadway shows: Gigi, Grind, The Happy Time, Come Summer and The American Dance Machine.
Crofoot’s recent film credits include The Singing Detective and the Coen Brothers’ The Man Who Wasn't There. His television work includes Star Trek: The Next Generation, Saved by the Bell, CSI, and a national commercial for Jenny Craig starring Kirstie Alley.
He has toured his one-person show, Nijinsky Speaks, throughout the United States, including critically acclaimed engagements in New York and Los Angeles. But Crofoot is happy to put other pursuits aside this year to make his first appearance with the Follies.
When you were growing up, who was your "idol"?
"Vaslav Nijinsky. Long ago I was told I dance like Nijinsky and I’ve been studying him every since." |
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"Dancing is like breathing: something I have to do!"
Don McCardle, 73, found early success in nightclubs in Ohio and New York, dancing with such stars as Rosemary and Betty Clooney, Gene Krupa, Connie Francis and Frankie Laine. He also choreographed and performed on The Gene Carroll Show and Landmark Jamboree for groundbreaking WEWS-TV in Cleveland. Drafted into the Army in the 1950s, he spent his tour of duty choreographing shows for the USO.
After he was discharged, McCardle worked as an engineer for Goodyear Aerospace. But he never retired from performing entirely: he taught dance at the University of Akron for 20 years and operated his own dance studio for four decades.
He and his wife, Carolee, have three children and five grandchildren. All are pleased to see McCardle return to the spotlight in this, his debut season at the Follies.
When you were growing up, who was your "idol"?
"My history teacher. He was very interesting and kind, and followed my progress throughout my education." |
 We partner with over fifty restaurants, hotels, attractions, retailers and special services to assist you in making your visit to Palm Springs and the Follies even more enjoyable. Please browse the "Visitor Information" page of the Follies website or click here for a complete listing plus additional helpful details. Some vendors even make special offers exclusive to Follies patrons, so please check before your next Follies visit. This page also includes parking information and street directions to make getting to the Follies as easy as possible!
The Follies box office is open Monday through Saturday and can be reached by calling (760) 327-0225, or you can purchase tickets online 24 hours a day at www.psfollies.com and see your exact seat location at the time of booking. The Follies box office, located at the entrance to the Historic Plaza Theatre, is also now open Monday through Saturday. |
