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Digital ID
ent000084-006
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I agree.As a curtain is drawn or a scene change takes place, the intricate backstage mechanics of the Folies come into play. From the wings, the cast can be seen running offstage stepping out of dresses, trousers, tugging at sleeves and wiping a brow before dashing back on stage in another complete costume ... all taking place in a matter of 45 to 50 seconds. Hats, gloves, stockings, shoes, feathers, and costumes are then meticulously laid out on the floor and hung up on nearby racks ready at a moment's notice for the next change of costume. A "dress dancer," one who wears the most elaborate costuming in the show, will average over eight costume changes in the one hour and forty minute Folies production. As you can imagine, the costume department has their hands full every evening keeping track of the 4,000 separate pieces of costumes and accessories that furnish the four different scenes at the Tropicana Folies! Though the audience is never aware of the activity of backstage participants who assist in the nightly staging of the Folies, they are regarded as the most important key in moving the show along at a normal pace and keeping the production "together." Just three minutes to showtime, the backstage scene at the Tiffany Theatre resembles Grand Central Station at rush hour! Hurried wardrobe assistants, electricians, stagehands, soundmen, orchestra players, and various performers are all busy running in every direction making last minute preparations so you, the audience, will enjoy the show! It's all just apart of what has made the Folies Bergere the longest-running revue in Las Vegas!