If you can get a ticket or last minute overflow seating to see the 21st annual Los Altos Follies, grab it. An evening of comedy and satire awaits you. We saw the show Thursday, October 2 and will try to avoid spoilers in this brief review. (We plan a more complete version next week.) The show runs the gamut from biting satire to slapstick comedy. Last time we checked there were still a few tickets for Friday night, but you can’t buy them through the website. Call the box office at (650) 941-0551. Perennial host John Sylvester was joined by Los Altos Mayor pro tem Jan Pepper as MC. John also participated in several skits as well as playing tenor sax with the band. The co-hosts will be Los Altos Hills Vice Mayor Courtenay Corrigan (Friday) and Mountain View Councilman Mike Kasperzak (Saturday).
Vicki Reeder once again led the group. Writing, directing, acting, singing and dancing, she brought the whole package to the show. The cast was outstanding, enthusiastic and well-rehearsed.
Los Altos Follies Cast
Our particular favorite skit was “No Picnic!” Set to the tune of “Teddy Bears’ Picnic” the cast channeled their inner Arctic beast and lamented the fate of polar bears faced with global warming.
Mama Polar Bears
Additional commentary on Vladimir Putin, Crimea, the “one percent,” and healthcare.gov sparked the national and global themes. Switching to the local scene, the cast parodied the long-running debate over the Civic Center. During this number, they propose that the height of the building might approach 16 stories. They also bade a fond farewell to a departing City Council member. And this Google note was outstanding:
When was the last time you went a whole day without using a single program offered by Google? If you had a single day in the last several years you can claim this, … you’re a liar. Or perhaps a time-traveler. Although I’ll bet that even time travel will be handled by Google or Apple.
Hats off to the cast members: Gordon Abraham, Rhea Feldman, Kathryn Han (also the choreographer and quite a dancer), Kathryn Holleb (Los Altos native back for her 14th show), David Hsiao (a fellow economist), Crysta Krames (the newcomer), Duncan MacVicar (bass vocals), Charles Morgan (also on the keyboard with the band), Vicki Reeder, Rod Sinks (Cupertino city council member), John Sylvester, and Doug Willbanks (the mandatory real estate agent). Go. See this. Get the overflow seating if you must. Otherwise you’ll miss a good time. $100: show, food and reception.
