Fruit and Friends
Comic figures have always been able to say things that none of the rest
of us would dream of speaking out loud—even when it’s the truth. The
archetypal figure of the clown as seen in the court jester, the joker, the
mischievous imp, and of course, the drag queen, makes us laugh-out-loud
and squirm-in-our-seat at the same time—now that I think about it, the
same holds true for the CAMP Rehoboth Follies (the laughing and squirming
at the same time, that is).
As
American Idol demonstrates every year, we are equally fascinated by what
is good and what is not. Part of the charm of a show like the Follies is
that we get to see real people—members of our own community—stand up
and entertain us. Is it good? Is it bad? Do we care?
Back in 2003, Fay Jacobs, whose directing skills we still rely upon to
produce the Follies, introduced an article in Letters that quoted some of
that year’s Follies’ troupe members. "The Follies, I love
it." She said. "It’s a great big, unpredictable, frightening,
naughty, fabulous let’s-put-on-a-show extravaganza, with jittery amateur
performers trying their best and cheering audience members at their most
exuberant. I don’t know what’s more fun, the groups who get it just
right or the ones who try so hard you want to hug them. Of course, there
are always mini-mix-ups, cues dropped, wigs dropped, whole scripts tossed
to the wind, but heck, that’s show biz."
"I was thrilled by the amazing sense of community and support for
each other I felt all evening," Cathin Bishop said in the same
article. "The energy in that room could have provided electricity for
all of Delaware. It really was a gathering of 800 family members."
This town has always been about community—about making friends and
creating a safe place where the cares and troubles of everyday life can,
for a time, be forgotten. In the early days of Rehoboth, the Methodist
Church campground that grew up in this place did so because the ocean
brought people together in community. Today our CAMP is not so different.
People come to escape, yes, but also to be a part of the special community
that thrives here.
As I searched the CAMP Rehoboth website for the information I quoted
above, I was struck by the feeling that a lot had changed since 2003.
Normally I try to keep my personal politics out of CAMP matters, but I can’t
help but feel that the weight of the war in Iraq and the poor leadership
of the current administration have taken a toll on all of us. We feel it,
whether we know we feel it or not.
Maybe this year we need the Follies more than ever—and Sundance, too,
for that matter. The simple fact is that in the act of laughing together
or dancing together we find common ground with one another—and we find
the release we need to face the world around us and all that goes with it.
Don’t misunderstand, by the way, I’m, not suggesting that The Follies
is a panacea for all that ails us, in fact, there are times when it even
makes me feel a little queasy. The show does, however, remind me that no
matter what is happening in our lives, a little bit of laughter makes
dealing with it a whole lot easier.
As the curtain opens on this year’s CAMP Rehoboth Follies, we’ll be
treated to both familiar faces and new ones. The CAMP boys return again
this year to perform the opening skit (and with a surprisingly
"delicious" new look). Also returning are the always popular
Schnuzerhaven Gang and last year’s Gold Barbie winners Victoria’s
Secrets. New members of the Follies cast include: (pictured at left) 
Sacred
Cows (from Retro Café and the Charter Theatre), MCC of Rehoboth, an
improv skit from Delaware Improv Comedy, and more. And finally, the icing
on the cake, the fabulous Mr. Christopher Peterson returns as the 2007
Follies host and Emcee.
This year the theme of the Follies is "Fruit Cocktail," a
fact I couldn’t possibly forget because of the rising mound of plastic
fruit (thank you Kathy and Lynn) collecting around my feet. Since the CAMP
act always tries to set the theme for the evening, the office has been
filled, of late, with an abundance of fruit puns and word play—my
current favorite being: "Bananas and apples and pears, oh my! Bananas
and apples and pears, oh my! Bananas and apples and pears, oh my!"
Apeeling isn’t it?
Even the Follies bartenders have gotten into the act this year; they’ve
designed a real Fruit Cocktail that can be sampled by bringing canned
goods (fruit or otherwise) to the Follies to be donated to the Cape
Henlopen Food Basket.
Tickets to the 2007 Follies: Fruit Cocktail are $25 for General
Admission and $50, $75, and $100 for premier seating (see seating chart
for details). The doors open at 6 p.m.; the curtain goes up at 7 p.m.; and
there’s a Cash Bar and Popcorn.
Thank you to the
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