Palm Springs is synonymous with Hollywood glamour and ritzy recreation, so it's no surprise that a local show incorporates both elements into one highly original and entertaining show. Now in its ninth year, The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies lives up to its name. It is truly a fabulous cavalcade of performers, ranging from aging vaudevillians such as The Mercer Brothers to an equally ancient stand-up comic (Dave Barry) and juggler (Nino Frediani). There's also a headliner from yesteryear, in this case, Anna Maria Alberghetti. She's in fine voice, and her charming demeanor captivates the audience as she recounts tales, from her childhood in Italy to her stage and screen debut.
The I>Follies reminds one of an episode of TV's "Lawrence Welk Show" (with attitude), although in truth the Follies owes more gratitude to the type of acts seen on "The Ed Sullivan Show." You may never have heard of many of the aforementioned acts, but the white-haired audience that flock to the The true stars of the show are the beautiful "girls." These women, age 55-85, have seemingly defied age and gravity to seduce the audience with their brilliant smiles and -- yes! -- luscious bodies. Their finest moment is when they slowly parade under the glitter (and tremendous weight) of impossibly elaborate costumes reminiscent of the old Busby Berkeley musicals. It's only when these girls chirp up about their grandchildren that one is reminded how much of life they've seen. Though most of the attention is focused on the women, equal credit belongs to the "chorus boys," who expertly sing, tapdance and sway in several production numbers. Geoffrey Webb and Dan Westfall are two standouts among the talented male performers. One entertainer whose language would have been bleeped to death on "The Ed Sullivan Show" is Riff Markowitz, the show's originator and emcee. In fact, his humor would have 1950's TV censors turning in their graves. It's all fairly innocent by today's standards, of course. Riff, blessed with roguish good looks, is quite debonair dressed in his signature look, a tuxedo. He often pauses to remind the audience that growing old has its benefits. One joke involves a 104-year-old woman who was asked to name the most delightful thing in her life. "No peer pressure," she reportedly replied. At any age, The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies has no peer. It's one of a kind, and long may it live.
