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| WWW.PSFOLLIES.COM | JULY 2007 | ||
 Greetings Darlin's,
At the Follies, however, we have the air conditioning cranked up as high as Al Gore will allow because we are busily preparing our upcoming Season 17 extravaganza. A cadre of seamstresses and seamsters (yes, that is a word) madly attaches sequins and feathers to everything in sight. The Follies cast endures endless rounds of fittings to ensure the sensational new creations designed for them hang exactly right. A team of eminent musicians turns out the reams of sheet music required to achieve the Follies sound. Just as busy are the reservation agents who process your ticket requests. Tickets for Season 17 just went on sale and are now available online. As you probably know, the best seats go quickly every year, so this is no time to let the summer swelter slow you down.
To help perform all those great songs, we’ve enlisted the aid of celebrated guest stars who span the entire musical spectrum. From Opening Day through New Year’s Eve, 2007, that longtime friend of the Follies,
That’s all until August, when I’ll be back to report on the beginning of rehearsals. Right now, I have to do my holiday shopping and then get another block of ice for the pool.
That’s the magic number to qualify you for group rates, which can save your party up to 15% off individual prices and up to 40% off for groups of 20 or more (everyone loves a bargain!) And the Follies is always more fun in a group as they’re the lucky folks who receive special introductions by the Follies Man from the stage…definitely a memorable experience (for those who survive!). We even have “Party Packages” with discounts of up to 66% on souvenirs and concessions to make your group experience even more memorable.Whether it’s your birthday, class reunion, holiday office party or bridge club, why not consider the Follies as a special event. To learn more about Follies groups, click here or phone (760) 778-7657 to speak with one of our group sales representatives.   Palm Springs LOVES Red Hatters and to prove it, the entire city is rolling out the red carpet for the official Red Hat Regional Mini-Convention called “Holiday Oasis 2007” being held at the Palm Springs Convention Center November 30 – December 2, 2007. For more information or to register, please click here. 
Beginning his fourth season, Rex travels from Arizona to Northern California “spreading the Follies gospel” with his entertaining and informative presentations. Visiting hotels, senior centers, AAA offices and service organizations (Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, etc.), Rex likes nothing more than telling folks about each new Follies edition, the show’s remarkable cast and the wonders of the Palm Springs Desert Resorts.
In short, Rex is devoted to enlightening people, and he does so with the same high spirits and keen sense of humor whether he is explaining a great show, a lovely place to vacation or the possibility of overcoming a disability.   In each newsletter, we spotlight several of the Follies' tourism partners, and this month we are featuring accommodations. A number also offer special discounts for Follies patrons, so be sure to mention you’re visiting the Follies when you call for more information.
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Another summer in a winter town. The doyennes of Palm Springs society have fled to cooler climes to save their purebred Pomeranians from heatstroke. Visitors from abroad – often toting their trusty Rolleiflexes and sporting white socks and sandals – wander our uncrowded boulevards admiring the desert’s stark (albeit scorching) beauty. And year-round residents shovel ice into their swimming pools to keep from being parboiled. (You who have braved a Palm Springs pool in July know what I mean.)
Kaye Ballard, returns to the stage of the historic Plaza Theatre, where she stopped the show nightly during Season 14. You’ll remember Miss Ballard’s comic antics on The Tonight Show and her classic sitcom, The Mothers-in-Law (co-starring Eve Arden). But if you haven’t seen her live, you may not know she is also an accomplished vocalist, as she has demonstrated on stage since her Broadway debut in 1954’s Golden Apple. Miss Ballard’s music and comedy will help us ring in the new year with two performances on December 31. Tickets for those New Year’s Eve shows are already selling fast, the Follies being something of a New Year’s tradition for many of you.
We’ll start 2008 with a month of shows featuring The Four Aces (January 9 through February 9), the best remembered vocal quartet of the 1950s. Their hits include “Tell Me Why,” “Love is a Many Splendored Thing,” “Three Coins in a Fountain” and “Strangers in Paradise,” and it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if they sing most of those classics while they are here with us. You demanded the return of this fine group to the Follies and I am happy to oblige. 
From February 12 through March 22, we are proud to present the Follies debut of Melba Moore. Miss Moore starred in the original Broadway production of Hair and electrified New York audiences with her multi-octave vocal range in 1970’s Purlie (winning a Tony Award for the latter). She has since starred in her own TV shows twice and released many fine recordings, two of which were nominated for Grammy Awards. Miss Moore can only be with us for six short weeks, so tickets for this exciting debut are sure to go fast.
Anna Maria Alberghetti will grace our stage from March 26 through the end of our season on May 17. Miss Alberghetti is the former child prodigy and opera sensation who proved in countless films and TV shows (a record 53 appearances on Ed Sullivan!) that she is just as adept with pop music as she is with classical. She rounds out our slate of guest stars and guarantees we will have something for every musical taste.
On another note, we’re currently holding a terrific Midsummer Christmas Special Offer at the Follies Online Store. The holidays arrive earlier every year, so we figured what the heck, why not July? Maybe visions of snow flakes and sleigh rides will help us keep cool. (Any resemblance to similar promotions on home shopping channels is purely coincidental!) You’ll want to check out the unique holiday tree ornaments specially made for the Follies by famed doll designer, Van Craig. But you can get a head start on all your holiday shopping with a variety of Follies Fashion and special gift items available on line at our 
Rex Waggoner, Palm Springs Mayor Ron Oden and Follies Co-Founder Mary Jardin.
Rex accepting award from Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism Executive Director Mary Jo Ginther and Mayor Ron Oden.