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GAMING TODAY 17 Proven appeal of 'Folies Bergere' saved in 'Best of the Folies' UNLIKE SOME ?╟ú new" ver- sions of existing production shows, the Tropicana?╟╓s ?╟úThe Best of the ?╟Ñ is neither a totally new, old or re-worked version of the old ?╟úLes Folies Bergere.?╟Ñ It is, infact, some outstanding hew numbers mixed with re- staged versions of the best of the ?╟úFolies?╟Ñfrom the previ- ous versions that have been staged at the hotel since the ?╟╓50s. The ?╟úBest of the Folies?╟Ñ re- tains a certain amount of warm familiarity by keep- ing its best, time-tested qualities. While at the same Who: ?╟úBest of the Folies Bergere?╟Ñ Where: ||j jj| , Tropicana Resort & Casino When: 8 & 10:30 except Thur. How Much: $45 ($55 for a booth) time, just enough has been altered or added to up- grade the show, quicken its paCe and keep it in step with today. Only one variety act is in- corporated in the show, co- medic Juggler Charlie Frye (and Company ?╟÷ his wife). He is, without a doubt, one of the best now working here. Our readers agreed when they named them ?╟úSpecially Act of the Year for 1997?╟Ñ in GAMING TODAY?╟╓S Readers?╟╓ Poll. Assuming the gestures and expressions of Dick VanDyke, he is as funny and agile. It is his own ingenious tal- ent as a juggler and comic, though, that make him unique and overwhelmingly entertaining. The opening multi-media tribute to the "Music Half (which, along with woman- dom intoto, is what the pro- duction is dedicated to) is a clever and captivating touch. You may recognize the ?╟úHeavenly Bodies?╟Ñ opener (which was once further along in the show), parts of ?╟úBal au Versailles,?╟Ñ the world-renown ?╟úCan Can?╟Ñ (formerly the finale), ?╟úHolly- wood Glamour?╟Ñ featuring Fred & Ginger adagio and ?╟úJitterbugs?╟Ñ with the girls in their Minnie Mouse ears (you?╟╓ll have to see this one to get the joke) cutting a rug alongside rhythmic juke boxes. It?╟╓s especially heartening to see that director/choreogra- pher Jerry Jackson has re- tained a shortened, tighter ?╟úCan Can?╟Ñ number. Overall, it is still the best production number this writer has seen in 20 years on the beat. Some of the new touches include a fun-filled romp along the beachs of ?╟úThe country/western ensemble, simply-titled ?╟úThe West.?╟Ñ The old ?╟úflying egg-crate?╟Ñ that housed topless show- girls hovering above the stage, has been transformed into a much classier and more palatable black-light striptease. The new finale ?╟úCircle of Life?╟Ñ is a moving, if not heart-pounding, closer, rem- iniscent of a Jerry Jackson finale of a show he once housed at the now-defunct Hacienda called ?╟úHitz. ?╟Ñ Only the stodgy would want to see the ?╟úFolies Bergere?╟Ñ go unchanged. Only the tradition-deprived would want to see it com- pletely altered. But, those who are attracted to the best of traditional, as well as contemporary, elements of Las Vegas entertainment will be delighted with ?╟úThe Best of the Folies Bergere ?╟÷ Sexier than Ever. ?╟Ñ Downright better than ever, too!