Dec 13, 2010
02:10 PM
The Life

Follies Offer Fabulous Holiday Fun in the Desert

Follies Offer Fabulous Holiday Fun in the Desert

John Greenberger

The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies wowed three generations over Thanksgiving. An 83-year-old grandmother brought her family, including her six-year-old granddaughter, to the annual holiday show. Everyone enjoyed the spectacular production, especially the youngest member of the clan, whose infectious clapping and screaming rippled through the row like wildfire. While some of emcee Riff Markowitz's witty zingers and audience repartee zoomed over the head of our littlest Follies' fan, she was mesmerized by the pomp and majesty of the production - from the elaborate headdresses and costumes to the upbeat tempo of musical numbers that never tire. 

"Christmas in Folliesland" treats the senses to a kaleidoscope of color and sound. From the moment you walk through the historic doors of the Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs to the final chorus of Auld Lang Syne, it's Christmas personified. A lavish tree in the lobby greets you, complete with exquisite ornaments inspired by Follies showgirls - all of whom are 50 years of age and better. The Christmas fun continues on stage where comic elements of the season like "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus" and "All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)," meet the more traditional, including a soaring medley of "Silent Night," "Ave Maria" and "O' Holy Night"; an audience sing-along; and a shimmering onstage snowfall.

You can still catch the holiday show Dec. 27-31, with two very special New Year's Eve performances on Dec. 31 at 3:30 and 9 p.m., each with a glittering champagne reception. At the stroke of midnight (or "Rio de Janeiro midnight" for matinee-goers), the Follies Man and cast will join audiences with hats and noisemakers to welcome the New Year under a confetti shower. After the first of the year, the Follies' 20th anniversary show, "Follies Forever," continues through mid-May, with special guest star Leslie Gore appearing from January 5-March 5. 

For those who've never had the pleasure of an afternoon or evening at the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, here's a little teaser that's sure to whet your appetite for distinctive entertainment: During its 20 seasons, nearly three million people have seen the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies and celebrated the music and dance of the '40s, '50s, '60s and '70s with a cast ranging in age from 56 to 81 years "young." The show features lavish, Broadway-caliber production numbers and plays five days a week, from late October through mid-May. In 1997, it was the subject of an Oscar-nominated short documentary entitled Still Kicking: The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Box Office at 1-760-327-0225 or online at www.psfollies.com.

 

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