FRUITS OF OUR "LABOR"

With funds received from The Original Florida Follies,

Family Central purchased this van and inscribed our

name on it.  It was recently used to transport supplies

from Walmart to their organization's victims of Florida's
Hurricane Irma.  This is a prime example of how your
attendance at our shows helped Families and Children-in-Need. 

MASTER CLASS with ANTHONY LOCASCIO & STACY

Anthony LoCascio and Stacy surrounded by Follies Dancers!

On July 31, 2017 The Follies enjoyed an absolutely terrific
hour and a half with #TapLife Company Artistic Director and
Choreographer Anthony LoCascio and his assistant, Stacy,
who conducted a Master Class with nonstop tap!!
(See video on YouTube)
https://youtu.be/dvYFNPC3nR4

Anthony starred in the longest running tap show on Broadway,

"Tap Dogs", as well as performing and working with many
Broadway stars.  He also choreographed the dance,
"Lucky to be Alive" for National Tap Dance Day in which
The Follies placed SECOND!
(See video on YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5g0GmBEZC4

***YAY! - WE CAME IN SECOND***

On May 25, 2017, The Follies Dancers enjoyed participating
in the country-wide National Tap Dance Day Competition.

During three rehearsals, we learned the routine, made a video
and sent it to Anthony LoCascio, Creative Director of Tap Life
Company in New York City and choreographer of the dance,
"Lucky to be Alive".    He posted this on our Facebook Page:

"OMG. Just saw an advanced copy of your "Lucky to be Alive"

National Tap Dance Day Submission.  I love it!  I come through

Florida on my #SummerTapTour this year and not planning to

again until 2020. Any chance you ladies would be interested in

my coming to your studio to teach a class this summer? I would

love to work with you all. If you're interested, please message

my booking agent and travel companion, Staci,

at: thetaplifecompany@gmail.com"

Of course, we accepted Anthony's invitation and made a date

with him for July 31st at our Studio. More on this later! 

SEE US ON YOUTUBE:  Click Home Page YouTube icon

"LIKE" US ON FACEBOOK:  Click Home Page icon

#NationalTapDanceDay  #HappyBirthdayBo  #TapLifeArmy

#NDWFoundation  #TheOriginalFloridaFollies

AND WE SURE ARE VERY

  "LUCKY TO BE ALIVE"

FOLLIES SPECIALTY ACTS FOR 2018

  

         2018:   "AGE IS JUST A NUMBER"

Sprinkled in amongst TEN dance numbers will be

returning "Doo-Wop" group "Joey and the Paradons"

(who made such a big  hit in the 2016 & 2017  ShowS)

                    Joey and the Paradons

                                 and

Don Stansfield comes from New York where he     

graduated from NYU. Upon completing his 
degree, Don sharpened his skills at The American 
Musical and Dramatic Academy, a prestigious 
institution which has trained many of today’s top 
Broadway and television stars.  His love for singing 
the standards led him to create his one man show, 
Celebrating the Songs of the Rat Pack. This musical 
journey takes you down the road of three legen-

dary singers and how they impacted audiences 
and influenced musical styles for decades.

WE THANK YOU SO MUCH!

The Follies Girls!

        WE THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Since March 2015 (after Cathy Dooley's retirement), our new
Director, Sandie Lech-Bloom, with her Choreographer, Cheryl
Steinthal, have been whipping The Follies troupe into shape for
the next Season!

It hasn't been easy for either the New Regime or the dancers!   

Sandie has had to speed learn all there is to know in taking over

Cathy's many duties, including executive decisions as well as 

creative ones and all other chores in between. 

On the other hand, Sandie and Cheryl have tunnel vision when it

comes to how every head turn, hand position, toe direction, kick

height, fists (closed or open), arms straight (not bent), and numer-

ous other tiny details MUST BE!!  And above all, over all the din,

we hear Sandie's voice shouting "LISTEN TO THE MUSIC!"

Well, we are here to tell you that we are in this for the long haul, 

because WE LOVE IT!  You cannot know unless you have been  

on any team how satisfying it is to be a part of something that will

ultimately entertain an audience. 

As part of The Original Florida Follies it is our extreme good for-

tune knowing that what we do also gives a large benefit to the

organizations we support.  There are many Children-in-Need in

South Florida who have been given (through our donations) things

they would not have had otherwise - such as new clothing, summer

camp, diaper supplies, dental attention and more. With our dona-

tion it was also possible for one of our charities, Family Central, to 

purchase a new van to deliver food and essentials to their needy 

families.  We are proud to say that since the year 2000, The Original
Florida Follies has donated over $820,000 to various Children's
charities in Southern Florida! 

Most importantly, we also want to acknowledge our FAITHFUL

AUDIENCES without which we could not accomplish what we  

set out to do.  And for that -

          WE THANK YOU SO MUCH 

                        

CATHY DOOLEY HAS RETIRED!

       TRIBUTE TO CATHY DOOLEY

           "THERE WILL NEVER BE
              ANOTHER LIKE HER!"
At the Follies Cast Party on 3-19-15, Cathy Dooley
announced her retirement after almost 60 years
of teaching dance, choreographing, directing and
producing. 

           During the 15 years as Producer, Director, Choreographer and Mother to "The Original Florida Follies", we observed how our organization grew under her tutelage.  Cathy's determination - along with her instinctive creativity - made The Follies one of its kind in Florida.   To top all of this,  many  Children-in-Need organizations became monetary  recipients of her generosity to the tune of over  $780,000!

           Fifty-eight years ago Cathy began her teaching career in a studio in Astoria, New York, from which nine of her students went on to become Radio City Rockettes.  After she came to Florida,  from 1990 through 2000, Cathy choreographed dance routines for the "Ziegfeld Girls of South Florida".   Some of the dancers encouraged Cathy to start her own Follies, and in 2001 their one show at Omni Auditorium featured 12 dancers, 5 showgirls, an MC and 2 assistants.  After word got around about Cathy and her troupe, the Follies' Omni show in 2002 had a full house!  Many new dancers, showgirls, models and acts and several venues were added over the years, but since 2009 audiences have flocked to three favorites: Omni, Olympic Heights Theater and Parker Playhouse.

          Because of all these accomplishments, she was invited as Guest of Honor at the 2014 Rockette Alumnae Association meeting in NYC and received a statuette for her outstanding teaching and directorial skills as well as for her humanitarianism. 

          Even though there have been team players helping her through the years, all this has been tremendous work for Cathy - physically, mentally and emotionally - and we understand her need to hand it over to those with younger vigor and energy.   We hate to see you go. . . . .but if you must. . . . . .
                         - TO OUR CATHY -
WE RAISE OUR GLASSES TO YOU AND
WISH YOU GOOD HEALTH, HAPPINESS
AND BLESSINGS IN YOUR NEW
LEISURE LIFE!  HIP,HIP,HOORAY!

 

     

CATHY DOOLEY HONORED AGAIN BY NYC ROCKETTES!

Cathy cutting her cake!

Michelle Koutsebelis, Cathy with former students, Shelley Offenther

 

 

Arlene Acker, Cathy, Sheila Phillips

Cathy Dooley Honored by Rockette Alumnae at Radio City Music Hall - June 22, 2014

 Cathy Dooley, an honorary Rockette, was the guest of honor at the Rockette Alumnae Association quarterly meeting held in NYC on June 22, 2014.  Upon her arrival at Radio City Music Hall Cathy was immediately whisked away for an interview with Hanna Meium, the RCMH archivist and present day Rockette.

 Cathy spoke about how 9 of her students went on to become Rockettes. The interview video will appear in the near future on the new Rockette Timeline historical web site http://www.rockettes.com/timeline.html?source=videos/2301245439 and on YouTube.

 After the interview Cathy attended the meeting and luncheon that had a large turnout of former Rockettes and members of the Alumnae Association. During the meeting some of Cathy’s former students who had gone on to become Rockettes got up and spoke about Cathy. They were called the Cathettes and they came from all over the country to honor Cathy. The Cathettes present were Katy Braff, Rosemary Posillico Noviello, Cookie Dutch Franzese, and Lucille Narr Saladino. They spoke about the type of teacher Cathy was. While kind, they said she was very demanding and tough on them, working them hard and encouraging them to be the best.    If you survived Cathy’s training, you were prepared to audition for the Rockettes. That’s why so many girls made the Rockettes.

Cathy spoke about how happy she was to be there. She discussed her background, the money donated to charities and how she is still very passionate about The Original Florida Follies and their mission.

After Cathy spoke, some of Barbara Anzalone’s students tap-danced to Liza Minelli’s “New York, New York” to salute Cathy. Sound familiar? The finale consisted of Arlene Acker and Sheila Phillips doing their rendition of “Rumor Has It”. As it had been staged for 10, the hoofers re-choreographed it for two dancers. The audience loved it, and Cathy was very proud and surprised as she had no idea that her dancers would be performing one of her works.

Patty DeCarlo Grantham, the President of the Association and organizer of the event, had a delicious cake (see photo) especially made for Cathy which everyone enjoyed!