Greetings Darlin's,
  In a number of ways, summer in the Desert is like winter in the North. Residents huddle inside their homes (though around a.c. vents instead of fireplaces). Plants stop growing and some even shed their foliage (sunburned leaves look surprisingly like frost damage). Mother Nature is beseeched and slandered in turn, though everyone knows she is deaf to human appeals. Meanwhile, the weather forecasters on TV are just as annoyingly cheerful with just as little cause.
Nonetheless, while we lumber about under our heavy coats of sun block, we do take comfort in knowing that, come January, we will not be the ones shoveling snow!
And here at the Follies, we’re almost (almost!) too busy to complain about the scorching temperature. The cast has returned from their sabbaticals, and gossip about new romances, recipes and grandchildren has been fully shared. Now they race from fitting room to rehearsal hall, already hard at work learning new dance routines and vocal parts. Toes are tapping. Feathers are flying. Hammers are pounding. This year, we were especially keen to get started because we are bringing to life some of the greatest songs ever written!
 In 1917, Jerome Kern and P.G. Wodehouse had a huge, if improbable, hit with a little ballad about an imaginary “land where the good songs go” after their day on the pop charts is done.We're creating a similar haven for the classics of days gone by in this season’s salute to Tin Pan Alley. Curtain up to curtain down, Season 17 will showcase some of the most glorious music ever written! From turn-of-the-20th-century gems like “Give My Regards to Broadway” to mid-century hits like “Great Balls of Fire.” You’ll hear the amazing versatility of George Gershwin, the timeless wit of Cole Porter and the sheer Americana of Irving Berlin, among many others. And all performed by our legendary Long-Legged Lovelies and Follies Gentlemen in our most extravagant production ever!
Last month I told you about our four great extraordinary guest stars: Kaye Ballard (Oct. 30 through Dec. 31, 2007), The Four Aces (Jan. 9, 2008 through Feb. 9), Melba Moore (Feb. 12 through March 22) and Anna Maria  Alberghetti (March 26 through May 17), who will add their own unique contributions to our celebration of great Tin Pan  Alley songs. But like vaudeville, the Follies is also built on great variety acts and this season is no exception. Two variety artists will play all season. Celebrity impersonator Mr. Babe Pier inspires such regard from audiences and other comedians that Rich Little once called him “The Father of Impressions.” You’ll just call him “hilarious.” And you told us you wanted to see more performing animals, and we are happy to oblige: Joanne Wilson’s Wonder Dogs will make you laugh, cheer and exclaim, “Bravo!”
Well, I’d better get back to the rehearsal room before our eager cast members begin to quarrel over who gets to perform which great American standard. Next month, I’ll update you on the progress of rehearsals and the reopening of our physical box office. (In the meantime, tickets are already on sale and going fast at our website, www.psfollies.com.)
Riff Markowitz
"The Follies Man"
P.S. Speaking of dodging the snow shovel, those of you planning a long weekend or an entire vacation around your trip to this year’s Follies will be interested in other fun things to do in our wee village. We’ve included a helpful list for you at the bottom of this missive.
 Complimentary Souvenir Book ($12 value) with $20 minimum purchase. 
Our Special Gift With Purchase Offer continues through, but only through, the end of the month. You can choose from a variety of Follies Fashion and special gift items, including the unique holiday tree ornaments by famed figure designer, Van Craig, that were featured in last month’s Follies Confidential. And get your holiday shopping done early! AND get a complimentary gift in the process! And all with a just a few clicks of your mouse at our Online Store.
Variety acts are an essential component of the Follies mix, just as they were mainstays of vaudeville and Broadway revues. So it isn’t surprising that the Follies presents only the best in variety entertainment. This season, two such acts will play the entire season:
 Joanne Wilson’s Wonder Dogs have performed on television and film, and in varied venues from circuses to theme parks. They were featured in national tours of the Broadway hit, The Will Rogers Follies. Along the way they have kept audiences amused and amazed, never failing to garner that collective "Aaaaahhhh" that is saved for the most endearing canines. Many members of Wilson’s “pack” were rescued from shelters, but they are all purebred “hams” once they hit the stage.
 Mr. Babe Pier has been called the “Father of Impressions” by no less an expert than Rich Little. And no wonder! Pier has been “killing” (to use stand-up comedy vernacular) audiences with his crack imitations of celebrity voices, gestures and facial tics for over 40 years! He has been featured on countless TV shows, from Ed Sullivan’s to Merv Griffin’s, and has played most of the great Vegas showrooms, as well as night clubs the world over. Pier was a smash hit at the Follies during Season 11, and the intervening years have done nothing to dull his pointed facsimiles of the rich and famous.
 Many of you have told us you’ve made a New Year’s Eve tradition of attending the Follies. Some of you haven’t missed a December 31 performance in 15 years! The Follies holds tradition in high regard, so we’re reminding you now to get your tickets while they are still available. This coming New Year’s Eve will once again be a highlight of the Follies season, as well as the Palm Springs social calendar.
With special show times of 3:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., you will first be welcomed to the Plaza Theatre with a courtyard champagne reception. Next, you’ll find the theater lobby decked out in holiday finery along with special New Year’s décor. Then, when you reach your seat, you’ll receive a gift bag containing a Follies poster, streamers, hats and noisemakers. Tickets are going fast to both performances, with the early show still having the best selection. Log on soon to www.psfollies.com to purchase your tickets for “New Year’s Eve at the Follies!” |
 Follies Confidential has long chronicled celebrity visits to the Follies. But even we were surprised in May when one Siren of the Silver Screen leapt upon the stage and joined the performance in progress! Oddly, the press had been tipped off in advance and a photog from The Desert Sun newspaper captured the moment for posterity. Could this have been a publicity stunt for a hit movie currently in theaters? Click here and decide for yourself.
 Palm Springs and the surrounding Coachella Valley richly deserve their reputations as laid-back alternatives to the hustle and bustle of big cities. (And while everyone jokes about desert summers, you can’t beat our weather the rest of the year!) But there is plenty to do and see here, so why not plan a long weekend or vacation around your trip to the Follies?
To help you prepare your Desert Getaway, the following are some of the many area attractions you won’t want to miss.
Attractions, Shops and Special Interests
Anderson Travel: 700 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262, 800-952-5068. Specialist in tours and vacations for retired persons, including local, national and international destinations. www.gadabouttours.com
Cowboy Dinner Theater: P.O. Box 1094, Palm Springs, CA 92263, 760-329-0189, 800-600-3082. Hollywood, Singing Cowboys, American Indian tradition, Country and Western music come alive in a "Branson style" musical show of singing, comedy and audience participation. www.cowboydinners.com
Desert Soles: 123 North Palm Canyon #133, Palm Springs, CA 92262, 760-325-7653. Casual, comfortable resort footwear for men and women. Narrow, medium and wide widths in several styles and brands. Step into style and comfort at Desert Soles. Email: desertsoles@yahoo.com
Elegant Illusions: 102 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262, 760-320-9917. Original designs in master-worked jewelry, displaying the finest quality, lab-created gems. 20% off regularly priced items if you mention you saw this listing. www.elegantillusions.com
The Face Place: 1555 South Palm Canyon Drive, Suite G106, Palm Springs, CA 92264, 760-325-7055. A beautiful day spa and gift shop nestled up close to the mountain just one mile south of the Palm Springs Follies in ''Plaza del Sol.'' Offering skin care, body work, massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, manicures, pedicures, and waxing. www.thefaceplaceofps.com
Gadabout Tours: 700 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262,
760-325-5556. Specialist in tours and vacations for retired persons, including local, national and international destinations. www.gadabouttours.com
Good Gauze: 120 La Plaza, Palm Springs, CA 92262, 760-323-9399. Good Gauze gets rave reviews and standing ovations for its wide array of women's wear made of 100% cotton, keeping visitors and residents cool and comfortable all year long. Mix-and-match separates, hats, jewelry and accessories, in the latest styles and colors, make shopping a hot ticket! New hours: Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 to 5; Sundays and Mondays, 11 to 3. www.goodgauze.com
Introductions, Inc.: 760-808-4500. “We are a Matchmaking Service in Rancho Mirage for men and women who are 55 years and older! We have over 15 years’ experience in professional and private Matchmaking. Locally owned and operated, we provide the desert community with a safe and fun way for our Seniors (Active Adults) to meet! Many of our clients live a comfortable lifestyle, have wonderful friends and family, enjoy good health and are simply looking for a companion to share this special time in their life.” www.introductions-desert.com |
Morongo Casino Resort & Spa: 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, CA 92230,
888-MORONGO. Southern California's favorite Four-Diamond Casino Resort and Spa. The place for you to stay before or after the show. We welcome tours, and have special amenities for tours that stay while attending the Follies. World-class Sage Spa and gaming are here to keep you entertained, along with 12 food and beverage outlets and show venues. The largest Premium Outlet Mall on the West Coast is right next door. Complimentary shuttle and discount book for guests attending the Follies. www.morongo.com
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: 1 Tramway Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262,
888-515-TRAM. Travel from the desert floor to a pristine alpine forest. With a restaurant, gift shop and 54 miles of hiking trails, there is something for everyone at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. www.pstramway.com
Palm Springs Air Museum: 745 North Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92262,
760-778-6262. Visit The Palm Springs Air Museum "where history flies through the skies and your guides are the people who made history." See 27 flyable WWII war-birds (including a B-17), vintage automobiles and aviation art. Open daily from 10am to 5pm except Thanksgiving and Christmas days. www.palmspringsairmuseum.org
Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism and Visitors Center: 2901 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262, 760-778-8418, 800-347-7746. For a complete listing of all Palm Springs hotels, visit www.palm-springs.org. Online booking available. Order your free Palm Springs Visitors Guide for hotels, attractions, tours and entertainment. www.palm-springs.org
Palm Springs Public Library: 300 South Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262, 760-322-READ. The Palm Springs Library has free wireless internet access as well as computers to use in the library. Extensive DVD, audio book and CD collections, passport processing, reference services, video-conferencing services, assorted free Adult and Children's programming, and much more! www.palmspringslibrary.org
Spotlight 29 Casino: 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella, CA 92236, 866-3SPOT29. The Valley's largest casino! 2,000 slot machines and 30 favorite table games. The Rattlesnake is the most awarded restaurant in the Coachella Valley. www.Spotlight29.com
Village of Palm Springs, Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Welcome to the Village of Palm Springs! Nowhere in the Coachella Valley will you find such an exciting combination of great shopping, world-class dining, and thrilling entertainment. Share the legend, on Palm Canyon Drive. www.PalmCanyonDrive.org
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NOTE: While you are planning your trip to Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley, you might want to reserve a place to stay in advance. Hotel rooms fill up quickly during special events such as golf tournaments and music festivals. For a list of hotels and condo rentals of various sizes, prices and locations, visit the Follies’ Visitor Information page here.
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