BWW Reviews: A Supreme Lady Joins the Supreme Palm Springs Follies through May
Singer Mary Wilson is the guest star with the current Palm Springs Follies show Let the Good Times Roll through May 16. At 66 this lady is beautiful and has as much dynamic energy as she did when she performed with The Supremes in the 60s , so she fits right into the Follies. All these folks look and act like they are at least 20-30 years younger - take Dorothy Kloss, the oldest living showgirl according to the Guinness Book of World Records. At 86 she has gorgeous legs like Juliet Prowse and can still tap dance at electric speed.
At this visit to the Follies I paid particular attention to detail and reveled at how director Riff Markowitz constantly changes and tweaks a liitle here, a little there to create a perfect scenario. This is one perfectionist whose work pays off. Loved the new mambo number at the end of Act I, thanks to choreographer extraordinaire Joan Palethorpe. "That Old Black Magic" has never sounded and looked quite this good.
Ventriloquist Brad Cummings and Rex continue to enthrall with their unique comic revelry ...and now... just a few glowing comments about Mary Wilson. She's amazing and blew us away with Supremes' hits including "Love Child", "My World Is Empty Without You", "You Can't Hurry Love" and "Stop! In the Name of Love". And her heartfelt rendering of "I'm Changing" from Dreamgirls was offered as a tribute to fellow Supreme Florence Ballard who passed away much too early in 1976. She also offers lightning charged renditions 0f "Satisfaction" and "Brown Sugar" 9 shows a week. Some hard-working diva!
It's time to pay tribute, since I have the space, to all of the Follies and the Gentelemen who dance their hearts out and give us so much of themselves in every single show. Here they are folks, God bless them one and all:
Natascha Ahlborn, Wayne Albritton, Judy Bell, Hank Brunjes, Leila Burgess, Leonard Crofoot, Randy Doney, Dick France, Jill Gordon, Glenda Guilfoyle, Marcia Harp, John Kendrick, Dorothy Kloss, Jani Naber, Jill Owens, and Suzanne Vitale.
Can't wait until next season - the 20th Spectacular Anniversary Season with guest stars: The Crystals / Lesley Gore / The Four Preps
If you haven't caught sensations Mary Wilson, Brad Cummings & Rex and those unbelievable follies and gents, you have until May 16 to see the Fabulous PS Follies' Let the Good Times Roll!
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