Palm Springs Follies

• Hours: Matinee and evening shows
• Reservations: Call 760-327-0225 for reservations or buy your tickets online
• Cost: Ticket prices vary
• Location: Downtown Palm Springs, driving directions below
• How Long: The Palm Springs Follies show lasts two hours
• Best Time to Visit: Anytime

Palm Springs Follies Review

Palm Springs' old Plaza movie theater got a new lease on life in 1991, when the Palm Springs Follies opened. It's a music, dance, and comedy show featuring the songs and styles of the 1930's and 40's, with a cast old enough (as they like to joke) to have lived it. The youngest performers are in their 50s and the oldest holds a place in the Guinness World Records (at age 84 in 2008) as the oldest still-performing show girl.

The entire cast boasts an impressive list of credits and those lovely ladies have legs that most women a third of their age would kill for. Palm Springs Follies acts include production numbers, tap dancing, high kicks, a dog act. The standup comedian/emcee (who is also the show's creator) makes a lot of jokes about being old. A significant portion of the first hour is devoted to introducing each performer individually.

You may love the Palm Springs Follies. A lot of people do. The theater was almost full on a February Tuesday afternoon when I attended. When asked, almost half the audience raised their hands to say they'd been there before. Reviews in publications around the world have praised it.

I applaud the performers' enthusiasm and stereotype-busting vitality, but I'll tell you a little secret: travel writers who contract to write for major print publications are expected to emphasize the positive, no matter what they really think. My obligation is to give you my honest opinion, and this rock'n'roll baby boomer found the show boring. Before you go, I encourage you to think about whether you enjoy the kind of entertainment presented. If you do, you'll have a ball. If you'd rather listen to Led Zeppelin than George M. Cohen, you may be better off somewhere else.

Tips for the Palm Springs Follies

• Some of the jokes not suitable for pre-teens and younger, and children under age 6 are not allowed.

• The show includes the use of strobe lights.

• Some local hotels offer Palm Springs Follies packages. Do an Internet search for "palm springs follies hotel package" to find them.

• Wheelchair seating is available on request. Call for reservations.

Getting to the Palm Springs Follies

Palm Springs Follies
128 South Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA
760-327-0225
Palm Springs Follies website

The Plaza Theatre, home of the Palm Springs Follies is located in the middle of downtown Palm Springs. You can park on the street if you find space, but beware of the two-hour limit during the day. You can stay parked longer in the downtown garage at Baristo and Indian Canyon Drive.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary admission for the purpose of this review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.