Greetings, Darlins'

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I trust you all had a most happy holiday season and a splendid New Year's Eve. The Follies cast, along with 1,700 revelers, welcomed in 2010 here at The Historic Plaza Theatre until the wee hours . . . 12:01 a.m. to be exact, when we all collapsed as the final stage curtain hit the deck. By dawn's early light, we faced the glare of a new day, the glow of a new year and the gratitude of still doing what we enjoy most: entertaining YOU for yet another season!

AARP'S 10 BIGGEST STORIES OF 2009

For the million or so of you who receive the weekly AARP Webletter, you already know that Santa certainly delivered here at the Follies on Christmas Day. We were delighted to learn that our own Ms. Kloss was rated as AARP's #2 story for 2009, trailing only health care reform at #1. We couldn't agree with them more, and, once again, would like to thank filmmaker Dirck Halstead and reporter Sharon Peters for their superb video and story, which apparently broke all records for viewership on the AARP website.

FOUR ACES RETURN

Today we are thrilled to welcome back the incomparable and iconic Four Aces. Performing through February 6, these four gentlemen comprise one of the most famous vocal groups in musical history and are responsible for such enduring melodies as "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" and "Three Coins In the Fountain." You've asked me for their return engagement, and I'm now happy to oblige. But they'll only be here for a few short weeks, so please don't miss them!

"TOY DRIVE" A HIT!

Once again, I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to our many patrons who donated toys for the Follies' annual toy drive. In spite of economic uncertainties, we still collected several hundred new toys for distribution to needy children. And I'd like to particularly acknowledge the Riverside AARP Group, the Yucca Valley Art Association and the Palm Desert Crestview Group who each brought dozens of toys for the kids!

"COME HELL OR HIGH WATER!"

Among the many admirable qualities of our several million Follies Fans, determination would have to rate near the top! Marie and Helen Salandra, 87- and 90-year-old sisters from Pasadena, California, wrote to us that after 15 years of attending our holiday show, a recent blood clot (for one sister) and knee replacement two weeks earlier (for the other), was preventing them from driving themselves to the Follies. They were determined, though, to make the 100-mile journey and asked us for help. Through the gracious efforts of a neighbor and Follies Co-Founder Mary Jardin, we got them here to enjoy the first show after our holiday break. I have learned to NEVER underestimate the 'will' power of octogenarians (our Miss Kloss, at 86, is my in-house muse on this particular subject).

MAMBO JAMBO

Finally, besides the Four Aces' opening, today also marks the debut of an all-new Latin-inspired production number, it will replace our holiday segment. If its syncopated rhythms and infectious Brazilian melodies don't cause you to really start dancing in our aisles, it will certainly make you want to!

So, until next month, just stay alive!

Riff Markowitz "The Follies Man" www.psfollies.com

Also, be sure to visit: Follies on MySpace Follies on Facebook

Four Aces Return to Follies by Popular Demand

Good Times Roll with Fifties Super-Group

Half a century before teen girls went crazy for 'N Sync or the Backstreet Boys, radio airways and record players were dominated by the close harmony and soaring melodies of golden-throated male vocal groups. By any measure, the most successful of these original "boy bands" are The Four Aces, who return to guest star at The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies from January 6 to February 6, 2010.

Like many groups in the early 1950s, The Four Aces began playing locally in the Philadelphia area. Unable to land a recording deal at first, they released their first record, "(It's No) Sin", themselves. When that debut sold more than a million copies, major label Decca Records signed the group in time to release its next platinum record, "Tell Me Why."

By 1958, The Four Aces had seen more than 30 of their records climb the Top-40 charts, and had earned widespread acclaim for their live performances. Among their best known hits were "Heart and Soul," "Perfidia," "Dream," "Mr. Sandman" and "Stranger in Paradise." But the group scored its biggest successes with the title tunes from a pair of hit movies: Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing and Three Coins in the Fountain. Each theme song shot to #1 on the Billboard charts, won the Academy Award for Best Song for its year, and became an international standard.

Since the 1960s, the group has continued to perform and their recordings remain perennial favorites on radio and compact discs. The Four Aces include Fred Diodati, 79, the group's senior member and lead singer; Joe Giglio, 69, high-tenor; Danny Colingo, 65, baritone; and Harry Heisler, 64, bass. Heisler also serves as the quartet's musical conductor.

One of the last "super groups" of the pre-rock 'n' roll era, The Four Aces never abandoned the loving interpretation of well-crafted songs that made them stars and typified mid-20th century pop. Their importance in music history and their enduring popularity with audiences of all ages guarantee a "good time" as they headline the Follies' 19^th edition, Let The Good Times Roll!

The Follies website now has a "Hot Deals!" page with periodic special offers. Be sure to check often, as you never know when you'll find a deal too good to pass up!

"Join A Group"

If you'd like to attend the Follies but no longer drive the freeways, don't forget about our very popular Join A Group program.

There are currently motor coach groups departing from the following areas with seating availability:

Los Angeles County:
Agoura Hills, Azusa, Cerritos, Culver City, Downey, Hacienda Heights, La Canada, La Mirada, Lakewood/Long Beach, Lawndale, Manhattan Beach, San Gabriel, Santa Monica, Sierra Madre, Thousand Oaks, Torrance, West Covina and West Hollywood

Orange County:
Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Woods, Orange and Seal Beach

Inland Empire and Hemet area:
Chino, Claremont, Corona, Hemet, LaVerne, Murrieta, San Dimas, San Jacinto and Sun City

San Diego County:
Carlsbad, Coronado, Escondido, La Mesa, Oceanside, San Diego, Santee, Temecula and Vista

Central California:
Bakersfield, Carpinteria, Goleta, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Stockton and Ventura

Northern California:
Concord, Fremont, Livermore, Rohnert Park, Sacramento and San Bruno

Arizona:
Kingman, Lake Havasu, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Yuma

Nevada:
Las Vegas

New Mexico:
Albuquerque

For more specific information on individual bus transportation to and from the Follies, call our Reservations Department at (760) 327-0225 or email us your request.

* More groups are booking each day so even if you don't see your city listed, call us!

How to Reserve Your Favorite Seats

The Follies Box Office is open seven days a week and can be reached by calling 760-327-0225, or you can purchase tickets online 24 hours a day 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 open seven days a week.

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.

Here are the two newest Follies patron specials: Trio Restaurant - *FOLLIES SPECIAL! Present your Follies tickets before 6:30 p.m. or after 9 p.m. and receive a 25% discount. (Cannot be combined with any other promotion.) A Place In the Sun Garden Hotel - $30/NIGHT DISCOUNT TO FOLLIES CUSTOMERS! Discount available through 1/31/10. Two-night minimum weekends. New Year's Eve at the Follies Click here to view and/or download more photos!