Broadway classic opens in North Las Vegas with nods to local history
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LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – A Broadway classic that showcases Las Vegas history premieres in North Las Vegas on Thursday at the Aliante Casino and Hotel.
Follies, a 1971, 7-time Tony Award-winning Stephen Sondheim classic, will entertain audiences and honor Las Vegas history.
The show is traditionally set in New York, with showgirls and theater performers reminiscing about their soon-to-be-demolished theater.
Lead producer Tom Michel explained they wanted to honor local culture by setting it in Las Vegas. While the show will stick to the songs and themes, it will pay tribute to the Tropicana and other casinos that have long closed.
Cast and crew of “Follies” practice ahead of Thursday night’s opening at the Aliante Casino Hotel (KLAS/Lauren Negrete) Cast and crew of “Follies” practice ahead of Thursday night’s opening at the Aliante Casino Hotel (KLAS/Lauren Negrete) Cast and crew of “Follies” practice ahead of Thursday night’s opening at the Aliante Casino Hotel (KLAS/Lauren Negrete)
Michel pointed to the Folies Bergere reunion a few weeks ago.
“That is the essence of what follies is: all these performers coming back for one last hurrah before it goes away,” Michel said.
Pieces of Las Vegas history will also be worn on stage, such as a bouquet from Jubilee and a butterfly outfit from Tropicana’s Folies Bergere.
“The costumes are a little more Vegas,” Michel said. “We have 12 original showgirls returning to the stage after 20- or 30 years including Anna Bailey, the original African American showgirl and you know what– she kicks high. “
Bailey, now 97, danced at The Moulin Rouge, The Flamingo, and The Dunes.
She called her return to the stage a ‘homecoming.’
“It’s joyful the performers are all so talented and we have a good time laughing, and encouraging each other. It’s like family.”
Other performers had careers in the Riviera and the Stardust.
Follies is a 45-person cast with a 30-piece orchestra, and Michel said 95% of the show is local.
“The show is an excellent production,” Bailey gushed. “I mean a 30-piece orchestra, legendary dancers, young dancers.”
Follies opens Thursday, April 11th. The six shows run through Sunday at the Aliante Hotel and Casino.
For tickets and a full list of the cast, both local and straight from Broadway, CLICK HERE.
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