Kaye Ballard presented what she calls her very last performance, “Going Out of Business”, March 11 at the Camelot Theatre in Palm Springs.
When she ended her show, the consensus was: At 88, she is still too good to go out of business.
Ballard, a Ranco Mirage resident, has been performing ever since her youthful start in vaudeville. An opening video reminded the audience of all the times they enjoyed her in night clubs, on television, in films and, best of all, theater.
The video introduction was fun including memories of her long run as co-star on TV’s The Mothers In Law, but she was at her best performing “live” on stage. The sparkle in her eyes, the timing, the songs and chatter all made for a memorable evening of theater, film, and television memories.
The show, a benefit for the Palm Springs Cultural Center, sold out within two weeks of ticket offerings and despite that, people lined up trying to get impossible tickets the night of her performance. Those able to buy early tickets included friends and fans from across the country and Canada who flew to Palm Springs to see Ballard’s farewell performance.
David Geist conducted and Ballard says she is grateful for the creative help of Steven Smith.
Adding to the fun were celebrity friends in the audience Carol Channing, Mimi Hines, Peter Marshall, Alix Korey, Shecky Greene, Bradley James, and Bob Sinn whose brief entertainment gems were unforgettable. Their love for Kaye Ballard was obvious and so were the cheers and standing ovations she received at the end of her performance.
Gavin and Patti MacLeod
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Steve Hammond and Meredith Asher
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Carol Channing and Kaye Ballard with Bob Sinn (standing).
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Kaye Ballard
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Billy Jean King
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Carol Channing and Kaye Ballard
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Shecky Greene and Carol Channing
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Kaye Ballard on scooter with 'Going Out of Business' sign
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Carol Channing
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Bradley James
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Carol Channing and Kaye Ballard
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Steve Garrity and Kaye Ballard
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Steve Garrity, Kaye Ballard, and Jason Bruecks (standing).
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Rosie Casals, Connie Spooner and Billy Jean King
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Mimi Hines
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Rozene and Ric Supple
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Kaye Ballard
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Peter Marshall
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Bob Sinn
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Carol Channing and Peter Marshall
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Shecky Greene
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Kaye Ballard
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
(Front) Carol Channing and Kaye Ballard. (Back) Steve Cuoco and David Geist.
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Kaye Ballard shares the stage with conductor David Geist,
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Carol Channing, Peter Marshall and Laurie Marshall
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Shecky Greene
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Michael Green and Rozene and Ric Supple
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Alix Korey
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Steve Garrity and Kaye Ballard. Garrity flew in from Boston just to see her.
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
Kaye Ballard took the stage of Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs.
Kaye Ballard's Going Out of Business
Photo by Pat Krause
David Geist, Peter Marshall, Marie and Shecky Greene