Greetings, Darlins'
 My Electronic Mailbag
Follies fans certainly do appear to take me at my word. To that end, I should like to thank everyone for the avalanche of messages after last month's newsletter asking you to send me your thoughts and comments.
 One gentleman from the U.K. inquired about my age. (For the record, 71.) It seems his lady friend had guessed 57. Not withstanding his remark about "getting her to an optician," he did say the best thing about attending a Follies performance was "feeling young at 58," adding that our show was one of the best experiences they've ever had.
Box Office Reopens
This coming Monday, our reservations agents wrap up their summer vacations and joyfully start taking your calls. I know how cranky you can be when your favorite seats have already been acquired by someone else, so please do call early. The best seats go fast, as I'm sure you realize. And, anyway, I feel it's best to spend our money now, because before you know it, our kids will be getting power of attorney and . . .
 Costco Member?
If the answer is yes, you may have already received your September Costco Connection magazine in the last week or so. If you turn to the inside back cover, you'll see nearly a full-page story about our own Dorothy Kloss. You might ask what Costco and Miss Kloss have in common? (Except for the complete lack of moderation.) The answer is: She's a Costco member AND is in the Guinness Book of World Records ("Oldest ‘Still Performing' Showgirl")—a dual classification qualifying her to be profiled in this regular feature. And it might surprise you that this publication has the fourth highest circulation (7.8 million) of any magazine in the U.S., falling only behind AARP Bulletin, AARP Magazine and Reader's Digest. Now go buy that twin pack of refrigerators Costco has on sale this week.
 Follies Costume Designer Thi Thu Hanyak
We are very proud of her not only because of her magnificent costume creations, but earlier this month, we were especially so as she became a U.S. citizen. A native of Switzerland, happily she's been sharing her gifts with the Follies for three years, and now we are delighted to help her celebrate this latest accomplishment.
A New "Old Car" Cast Member
We're also very happy to welcome back to our cast a lovely lady from St. Louis who graced our stage during the Follies' 15th season. You can read more about Miss Vitale below. She and the rest of our cast are now tapping away learning songs and dance combinations for our all-new edition Let The Good Times Roll!
 Each year, the commencement of rehearsals is somewhat akin to the start of a new school year. But here in Follies Land, "Back to School" discussions lean more towards such subjects as summer colonoscopies, hip replacements and a diminishing 401K. None-the-less, we get the same thrill with "returning to class" as school-age kids everywhere. But for us, it's really "Back to Play," so we hope you can join in the fun, now just 41 days away!
Until next month, please just stay alive!
Follies Box Office Re-Opens This Monday
 Some Follies Fans prefer to visit our Plaza Theatre Box Office in person or speak with an agent in our Reservations Office to book their Follies tickets, so we are happy to announce that those two offices re-open this Monday, September 21. The former is open from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and the latter, from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., both Monday through Friday.
Our agents will be happy to tell you all about our newest edition entitled Let The Good Times Roll! With the economy apparently on the rebound, it's time to celebrate YOU and what better way than a trip to the Follies? There'll still be plenty left for the grandkids, so if not now, then when?
And, as always, you can book your tickets online seven days a week, 24 hours a day by visiting the Follies online box office.
But either way, don't miss what we guarantee will be our best show ever as we celebrate happy days with the greatest good-time music of the '40s, '50s and '60s!
  Doo Wop Oldies Quiz
Thirty great memories about music that caused our parents and teachers grief! Take the quiz and see how you score as a true "Oldies Fan."
Check you music trivia knowledge against the answers at the end. Don't cheat, now!
 1. When did "Little Suzie" finally wake up?
(a) The movie's over, it's 2 o'clock
(b) The movie's over, it's 3 o'clock
(c) The movie's over, it's 4 o'clock
2. "Rock Around The Clock" was used in what movie?
(a) Rebel Without A Cause
(b) Blackboard Jungle
(c) The Wild Ones
3. What's missing from a Rock & Roll standpoint? Earth _____
(a) Angel
(b) Mother
(c) Worm
 4. "I found my thrill . . ." where?
(a) Kansas City
(b) Heartbreak Hotel
(c) Blueberry Hill
5. "Please turn on your magic beam, _____ _____ bring me a dream":
(a) Mr. Sandman
(b) Earth Angel
(c) Dream Lover
6. For which label did Elvis Presley first record?
(a) Atlantic
(b) RCA
(c) Sun
 7. He asked, "Why's everybody always pickin' on me?" Who was he?
(a) Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
(b) Charlie Brown
(c) Buster Brown
8. In Bobby Darin's "Mack The Knife," the one with the knife was named:
(a) MacHeath
(b) MacCloud
(c) MacNamara
9. Name the song with ''A-wop bop a-loo bop a-lop bam boom."
(a) Good Golly, Miss Molly
 (b) Be-Bop-A-Lula
(c) Tutti Fruitti
10. Who is generally given credit for originating the term "Rock And Roll"?
(a) Dick Clark
(b) Wolfman Jack
(c) Alan Freed
11. In 1957, he left the music business to become a preacher:
(a) Little Richard
(b) Frankie Lymon
(c) Tony Orlando
 12. Paul Anka's "Puppy Love" is written to what star?
(a) Brenda Lee
(b) Connie Francis
(c) Annette Funicello
13. The Everly Brothers are . . .
(a) Pete and Dick
(b) Don and Phil
(c) Bob and Bill
14. The Big Bopper's real name was:
(a) Jiles P. Richardson
(b) Roy Harold Scherer Jr.
(c) Marion Michael Morrison
 15. In 1959, Berry Gordy, Jr., started a small record company called . . .
(a) Decca
(b) Cameo
(c) Motown
16. Edd Brynes had a hit with "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb." What TV show was he on?
(a) 77 Sunset Strip
(b) Hawaiian Eye
(c) Surfside Six
17. In 1960, Bobby Darin married:
(a) Carol Lynley
(b) Sandra Dee
(c) Natalie Wood
 18. They were a one hit wonder with "Book Of Love":
(a) The Penguins
(b) The Monotones
(c) The Moonglows
19. The Everly Brothers sang a song called "Till I ________ You."
(a) Loved
(b) Kissed
(c) Met
20. Chuck Berry sang "Oh, ___________, why can't you be true?"
(a) Suzie Q
(b) Peggy Sue
(c) Maybellene
 21. "Wooly _______"
(a) Mammoth
(b) Bully
(c) Pully
22. "I'm like a one-eyed cat . . . "
(a) can't go into town no more
(b) sleepin' on a cold hard floor
(c) peepin' in a seafood store
23. "Sometimes I wonder what I'm gonna' do . . . "
(a) cause there ain't no answer for a life without booze
(b) cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
(c) cause my car's gassed up and I'm ready to cruise
24. "They often call me Speedo, but my real name is . . . "
(a) Mr. Earl
(b) Jackie Pearl
(c) Milton Berle
25. "You're my Fanny and nobody else's . . . "
(a) girl
(b) butt
(c) love
26. "I want you to play with my . . . "
(a) heart
(b) dreams
(c) ding a ling
 27. "Be Bop A Lula . . . "
(a) she's got the rabies
(b) she's my baby.
(c) she loves me, maybe
28. "Fine Love, Fine Kissing . . . "
(a) right here
(b) fifty cents
(c) just for you
29. "He wore black denim trousers and . . . "
(a) a pink carnation
(b) pink leotards
(c) motorcycle boots
 30. "I got a gal named . . . "
(a) Jenny Zamboni
(b) Gerri Mahoney
(c) Boney Maroney
Click Here To See The Answers
Newest Cast Member To Join The Follies
 SUZANNE VITALE
"Being onstage at the Follies and having my grandchildren in the audience is my idea of a good time . . . and I'm just going to keep on rolling!"
Suzanne Vitale, 71, is returning to the Plaza Theatre stage this season after performing in the Follies' 15th season. Previously, she toured with national companies of Li'l Abner and My Fair Lady, eventually traveling with the latter to Canada and Russia. She appeared at the famed Paper Mill Playhouse—just across the river from Broadway—in productions of Oklahoma! and Silk Stockings. In Miami Beach, she danced at Lou Walter's nightclub, Café de Paris (a sister club to his famed Latin Quarter in New York).
Suzanne also appeared in more than 20 musicals and operettas at major stock theaters in the Midwest, including appearances at the Cleveland Musicarnival and the Muni Opera of St. Louis in shows such as South Pacific, Show Boat, Most Happy Fella, Bells Are Ringing, and Naughty Marietta.
After a hiatus during which she raised two daughters and celebrated the birth of four grandchildren, she returned to performing with the St. Louis Strutters, a non-profit charitable dance company.
What is your favorite song from the 40s, 50s or 60s? "'Unchained Melody' conjures such wonderful memories!"
MORE FUN FACTS:
- Her 1960 "My Fair Lady" tour through Russia was the first American theatrical troupe to visit that country since the start of the Cold War. Edward Mulhare, who later became known to television audiences as Captain Gregg in the series "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir," played the role of Professor Higgins.
- Suzanne enjoys scrapbooking and doing cross-stitch. For exercise, she loves to swing dance and go to the gym.
- The happiest she's ever been is dancing onstage . . . like she's doing now!
- Her favorite TV show is "Dancing With the Stars" and her favorite movie is "Gone With the Wind."
- Il Divo is her favorite musical group, and "Phantom of the Opera" and "Les Miserables" are her favorite Broadway shows.
- "My life's greatest challenge was starting over after the end of my marriage and convincing myself that I was worth the effort. If only I'd known my new life would take me to the Follies!"
- "Seabiscuit taught us that you don't throw a life away just because you get banged up a little."
- Her funniest experience performing was her (first) opening night at the Follies when her showgirl backpack got hooked to the back screen of the stage and she couldn't walk down the stairs.
- "It (life) just gets better because you're wiser; you know more."
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.
For September, we're spotlighting our Attraction & Services partners to assist you in making your lodging arrangements, whether you'll be visiting from out of town or are expecting out-of-town guests.
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.
   SPA RESORT CASINO
401 E. Amado Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92262
Phone: (888) 999 - 1995 Website: www.sparesortcasino.com
24-hour casino with five restaurants, 228-room hotel, full-service spa and fitness center. With the hottest slots, table games and live poker, the big winners are downtown! ... Read More!
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION
69730 Highway 111, Ste. 202, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Phone: (888) 328 - 6767 Website: www.alz.org/californiasouthland
The Alzheimer's Association is committed to research, care and support for those living with the disease and their families. Donor supported, we provide services and programs throughout the Coachella ... Read More!
ANDERSON TRAVEL
1801 E. Tahquitz Cyn Way #100, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Primary Phone: (760) 325 - 2001 Website: www.TravelAnderson.com
Full-service travel agency specializing in custom tours, cruises and vacations for retired persons. ... Read More!
COWBOY DINNER THEATER
P.O. Box 1094, Palm Springs, CA 92263
Primary Phone: (800) 600 - 3082 Website: www.cowboydinners.com
Hollywood, Singing Cowboys, American Indian tradition, Country and Western music come alive in a "Branson-style" musical show of singing, comedy and audience participation. ... Read More!
PALM SPRINGS BUREAU OF TOURISM & VISITORS CENTER
Mailing: 277 N. Ave Caballeros, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Phone: (760) 778 - 8415 Website: www.visitpalmsprings.com
For a complete listing of all Palm Springs hotels, visit www.visitpalmsprings.com. Online booking available. Order your free Palm Springs Visitors Guide for hotels, attractions, tours and entertainmen ... Read More!
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VILLAGE OF PALM SPRINGS
Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Website: www.PalmCanyonDrive.org
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, ... Read More!
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS BALLROOM DANCE PROGRAM
401 S. Pavilion Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Phone: (760) 323 - 8272 Website: www.palmsprings-ca.gov
Every Wednesday evening from September through April you can dance to live bands or DJs specializing in ballroom music on a 10,000 sq. ft. hardwood dance floor at the Palm Springs Pavilion in Sunrise ... Read More!
PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM
745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Phone: (760) 778 - 6262 Website: www.palmspringsairmuseum.org
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, tour a B-17, view vintage automobile ... Read More!
GADABOUT VACATIONS
1801 E Tahquitz Cny Way #100, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Primary Phone: (760) 325 - 5556 Website: www.GadaboutVacations.com
Specialists in group tours, cruises and vacations for retired persons, including local, national and international destinations. ... Read More!
PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY
1 Tramway Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Primary Phone: +1 (888) 515 - 8726 Website: www.pstramway.com
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. ... Read More!
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The Parting Shot
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