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Vpf HE ?╟úFOLIES BERGERE?╟Ñ OPENED in its own theater in Paris in 1869, immediately becoming an international hit. It was the place to be and be seen, attracting royalty and gentry who claimed their coveted seats at what was Paris?╟╓ first music hall. It was in 1959 that impresario Lou Wal- ters, Barbara Walters?╟╓ dad, arranged for the Paris-born ?╟úFolies Bergere?╟Ñ to land in Las Vegas. Over the past 38 years, many performers have been in and out of the show, which has been a springboard for many entertain- ers, like Lance Burton, who cherishes fond memories of his nine-year stint, almost growing up on the ?╟úFolies?╟Ñ stage. The ?╟úFolies Bergere?╟Ñ has succeeded in maintaining its reputation for featuring tall, statuesque showgirls, an old- fashioned storybook theme and music hall format. The famous ?╟úCancan?╟Ñ segment is still an audience favorite. Award-winning choreogra- pher Jerry Jackson became the director of the ?╟úFolies Bergere?╟Ñ in 1975, and he is largely respon- sible for the latest edition of the show, ?╟úThe Best of the Folies Bergere ... Sexier Than Ever.?╟Ñ He is credited as being the cre- ator, director, choreographer and costume designer, plus he wrote and helped to produce special music for the ?╟úFohes;?╟╓^ Jackson manages to pack even more into his schedule. ?╟úI have the Sand Castle in Guam, which is quite a large theater, he said^fThere?╟╓s no gambling and no hotel. It?╟╓s just a theater. From the success of that show, they?╟╓re building a large, multimillion dollar theater in Saipan for me to put a show into. I?╟╓ve also had the Princess Casino in Freeport, in the Bahamas, for 13 years.?╟Ñ Originally from Oklahoma, Jackson has accumulated an amazing list of credits, including staging the 80th anniversary of ?╟úCasino de Paris?╟Ñ in Paris and choreographing the 100th anniversary of the ?╟úFolies Berg- ere?╟Ñ in Paris in 1967. ?╟úI was always fascinated, as a child, by movie musicals. I was born with a foot deformity, which I had till I was 18 years old. I wore built-up shoes and braces, that sort of thing. But, of course, you always want the thing that you don?╟╓t have, and I always wanted to dance. ?╟úSo, I left Oklahoma when I was 18, went to California,, started studying danc- ing and had a natural ability for it. I was in my first movie three months later.?╟Ñ Jackson was in the modem dance depart- ment at UCLA, while getting his master?╟╓s degree in art. He also served as an assistant professor in the music department. After college, he was Fred Astaire?╟╓s assistant choreographer. He was a regu- lar dancer on the ?╟úDanny Kaye Show,?╟Ñ partnered dancers such as Cyd Charisse on various television specials and in movies, and spent time as a professional photographer for Saks Fifth Avenue. ?√ß T've always been interested in creativity, and whether I?╟╓m designing a costume, writing a piece of music or choreograph- ing a dance, the principles of creating are all the same, but the tools are different. I?╟╓m not very interested in the business of show business. I?╟╓m very inter- ested in the creative process,?╟Ñ Jackson said. In handling sb many aspects of the latest ?╟úFolies Bergere,?╟Ñ Jackson is able to draw from his wealth of experience. His focus on ?╟úThe Best of Folies Bergere... Sexier than Ever?╟Ñ is to bring the essence of theater into the production, and to increase the presence of the glamorous showgirl. In addition to three existing, successful segments of the show, Jackson has added a few numbers from the 1975 edition of the ?╟úFolies.?╟Ñ He has created 12 new segments and a finale that contains around 10 numbers. It?╟╓s a fast-paced production, involving a fabulous cast clad in magnificent costumes. The ?╟úFolies Bergere?╟Ñ just gets better and better. It is not surprising that the longest- running show in Las Vegas will soon add another century to its rich history. GLAMOUR GURU ?╟÷ Director, choreographer, cos- tume designer extraordinaire Jerry Jackson turned his love of musicals into a lifelong dream behind the scenes at the Tropi- cana?╟╓s ?╟úFolies Bergere?╟Ñ 70 April 19, 1998/SHOWBIZ