Greetings, Darlins'
June is bustin' out all over . . . or so the song says. While the Plaza Theatre footlights are now dimmed for the summer and our cast is visiting family and friends (their travelogues will be featured in our August newsletter), Palm Springs continues to be a great summer getaway as we have bargains galore! One of the best is our second annual Palm Springs Restaurant Week now underway and for which the Follies is again a proud sponsor.
It's been said that producing a show is somewhat compared to making sausage; the end result is far more attractive than the process. Hence, we rarely publish "behind the scenes" photos of Follies rehearsals.
Recently, though, we held our annual auditions for our upcoming season and I was again inspired by the many folks who showed up to "strut their stuff." At ages when most are asking, "How will I spend my retirement years?" these intrepid singers and dancers are looking forward to their next career challenge. Their talent . . . or not . . . is only eclipsed by their courage and commitment, even if just making it through the audition process. We hope you enjoy the photos below of audition day and are yourself inspired to do something outside of your own comfort zone.
We also just completed preliminary costume fittings for next season's Follies which is aptly entitled Let the Good Times Roll! . . . and indeed they will! Perhaps this is a feeling we Americans could all use right now! More details next month and by visiting our website, but I hope you're as excited as us about our extraordinary mix of new and returning guest stars, and a show that we guarantee will have you "dancing in the aisles" (that's purely a figure of speech; our insurance company would not be amused.)
While dozens of media stories about the Follies are scheduled for publishing in the coming months, I wanted to specifically share with you a recent AARP Bulletin story and video by Colorado-based writer Sharon Peters and renowned photographer/videographer Dirck Halstead (56 Time Magazine covers!) Great work by two exceptional journalists!
The Follies is also featured in a new St. Martin's Press novel entitled "Out At Night." This is the second in the "Grace Descanso (Detective) Series" by playwright, television writer and author Susan Arnout Smith and is set in Palm Springs, California. Murder, intrigue, deception . . . oh my! Otherwise, just a normal day in our ladies' dressing room.
Finally, it's always gratifying to see multiple generations of families attend the Follies together and one recent father/daughter visit caused me to take special note. I hope you enjoy their story and photos below.
You'll receive my next missive in July when online ticketing for our all-new 19th season re-opens and Follies Favorites order forms are mailed, so, until then, just stay alive!
Want to Discover the Perfect Anniversary Gift?
What June bride (or groom - to be fair!) wouldn't be thrilled with a Follies Gift Certificate to commemorate his or her most special day? Celebrate your wedding anniversary - whether 5th or 50th - with a nostalgic trip down Memory Lane here at the Follies!
To purchase, simply log on to our online store or phone our reservations department at 760-327-0225. Certificates are sold in either fixed dollar denominations or per ticket, in any of the Follies' seating sections.
"Covergirl" Dorothy Kloss World Media Darling
Guinness has already certified her as the "World's Oldest 'Still Performing' Showgirl," but if there were a similar award for "World's Oldest Covergirl," our 85-year old Dorothy Kloss would most certainly qualify!
Healthsmart, the semi-annual magazine of the Desert Regional Medical Center, currently features Dorothy on the cover of their Spring/Summer edition along with a feature story inside.
Popular tabloid news magazine, the National Examiner, devoted the entire inside back cover to Dorothy in their June 1, 2009 edition.
The United Kingdom's Sunday Express newspaper ran a feature story on Dorothy in their May 31, 2009 edition.
KNWZ Radio Interview with Dorothy Kloss:
Part 3
This month, enjoy the third and final installment of Dorothy Kloss' February radio interview with "Bulldog" Bill Feingold and Kevin Holmes on their KNWZ radio show, Unleashed.
2009 Palm Springs Restaurant Week Now Underway
Running now through June 19, 2009, the Palm Springs Desert Resorts Restaurant Week is a culinary celebration featuring over 70 restaurants located throughout the Coachella Valley! Participating restaurants are offering a three-course menu at the fixed price of either $24 or $36 per person.*
Don't miss this exciting opportunity to experience some of the best restaurants the Desert has to offer. Restaurant Week is the perfect time to visit your favorite establishment or try someplace new, as chefs prepare delicious three-course meals for your dining pleasure at a fixed price.
* Tax, beverages and gratuity are not included.
Father Treats Daughter to Follies Visit Upon Return From Afghanistan
What began as a father's reward to his daughter for her recent overseas service, ended up having added meaning as she reflected upon their experience of attending the Follies together. In the letter below, she not only honors her father's own service to country just a generation earlier, but shares the memories of those with whom she worked while in Afghanistan.
Dear Follies,
Serving as a labor supervisor in Afghanistan, I worked alongside countless courageous men and women who put their lives, emotions and sanity on the line every day for our country and for the betterment of the Afghani people.
During this time, I was made fully aware of the tough challenges of military life. But more important, I learned of the strength, commitment and honor these young men and women display in conditions under which most of us would crumble.
My father, who had served in the military as a Marine, has been to your Fabulous Palm Springs Follies a few times before and, while I was in Kabul, he promised to treat me to a night of good ol' American patriotism - in all its glory - upon my return!
I was not disappointed. Not only was I seated next to my hero, I was thoroughly enthralled with the performers, costumes and stage settings. Perhaps the most moving part of the evening was the finale when the songs of our great country filled the theater.
My heart swelled with pride and my eyes with tears.
Thank you for an evening of memories, laughter, and joy, and for honoring our great American heroes.
Most sincerely,
Vivian Wyatt
Marine Concert Donations Benefit F.I.N.D.
Several times each year, the Marine Band from nearby Twentynine Palms, California, treats Palm Springs residents and visitors to complimentary band concerts.
The most recent was held on May 21 at the beautiful new Palm Springs Convention Center. The benefiting charity for the thousands of packaged food donations made by the 1,100 in attendance was F.I.N.D. (Food In Need of Distribution), a non-profit, community based organization that is dedicated to providing food to people in the Coachella Valley who struggle to feed their families.
The Follies was honored to join F.I.N.D., the U.S.O., R.O.T.C. and several other fine organizations in exhibiting at this early-summer event.
Pictured to the right:
(lt. to rt.) Follies Ambassador Marilyn Purdy, F.I.N.D. Director of Agency Relations Suellen Chodash and Follies Ambassador Manager Dolores Dey with the 100 pounds of Follies popcorn plus flavorings donated by the Follies to F.I.N.D.
Visitors Information Page
We partner with over 35 restaurants, hotels, attractions, retailers and special services to assist in making your visit to Palm Springs and the Follies even more enjoyable. Please browse the "Visitor Information" page of the Follies website for a complete listing plus additional helpful details.
This page also includes parking information and street directions to make getting to the Follies as easy as possible!
Some merchants also offer special promotions specifically for our patrons, so be sure to mention that you are attending the Follies when you call to make reservations or when you visit.
Online Ticket Sales Opening July 13
Online ticket sales for the Follies' all-new 19th edition begins July 13. Our regular Box Office and Reservations Department re-open September 21, but why wait until then?
Snapshots From Follies Auditions
